Long Island Premiere
The Banjo Boys
Feature | Germany, Malawi, United Kingdom | 76 Minutes | English

THE BANJO BOYS follows the electrifying rise of Madalitso Band, a Malawian duo, Yobu Maligwa and Yosefe Kalekeni, who transform scavenged materials into a banjo, a one-stringed babatone, and a foot drum, crafting a raw, joyous sound that defies the odds. Once dismissed as madmen for their relentless street performances in Lilongwe's bustling markets, they catch the ear of Neil Nayar, a British musician captivated by Malawi's vibrant, soulful rhythms. What begins as a chance meeting in a dusty car park ignites an unlikely trio, catapulting them from local streets to the world's most iconic stages with their infectious energy. The fi lm traces their evolution from busking for survival during Malawi’s 2002 famine to captivating audiences at festivals like Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar, WOMAD in the UK, and Joshua Tree in California. Director: Johan R Nayar. Theater A

Forced Symphony
Short | Iran | 14 Minutes | Persian

Mohammad, known by his stage name Neon, is an emerging artist from the new generation of the Persian underground music scene. He spends his last day of freedom wandering the city with his friends before leaving for mandatory military service. Director: Parisa Tavassoli