3rd CROATIAN
FILM FESTIVAL

Antonio and Nikola are inseparable friends who live across the road from each other, and share a love of pyrotechnics and mobile phones. Their families have been in dispute for years over an easily resolvable problem: the water that flows from the top house to the bottom house. The boys’ friendship, as they are about to enter puberty, is put to the test at Christmas time when their families uncover much more dangerous secrets and interests, and the water just carries the hate of the adults to the children. Debut film.

In the midst of one of the most significant moments in human history – the Moon landing – a guy working at a NASA warehouse has his own little passion project: the invention of the first urinal net.

The film takes place in 1969 at NASA during the first manned landing on the Moon. On the fringes of this great triumph of humanity is George Losser, the beleaguered warehouse supervisor who wants to put an end to one of the biggest urinary challenges for every man: splashback. That’s why he designed the world’s first urinal net, a feat met with derision by his brother-in-law, self-centered NASA spokesman Jack Wancker. Luck smiles on George when, upon his return to Earth, Neil Armstrong himself learns about his net. However, things soon spiral out of control, and even the President of the United States, Richard Nixon, becomes involved in an incredible sequence of tragicomic events.

Ilija is a member of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) somewhere in Central Bosnia in late 1993. One morning, after a routine mine laying campaign, he learns his younger brother Goran was killed far beyond enemy lines, together with eight other soldiers. Through a friend from the secret service, he finds out the mission was an unofficial one and that Goran and the others were acting as mercenaries. Ilija begins to expose a network of illegal activity involving not only the military, but high-ranking officials. As the investigation becomes more dangerous, his original intention to find out the truth slowly turns into a pathological mission of vengeance.

After the break-up of a serious relationship, writer A. gets the idea to write a non-fiction book about his ex-girlfriends, but he wants to hear their side of the story in order to answer the great, eternal questions about relationships. At the same time, he’s trying to persuade some Croatian pop stars to hire him as their biographer.

In the fictitious Slavonian village of the 1960s, where urban influences barely penetrate, and adherence to old customs is still imperative, the wealthy family of boss Marko hides its dysfunctionality with wealth, religiosity, and nurturing tradition at all costs. All of the above serves as a cover for hiding a strictly guarded family secret. The boss Marko, who as the “pater familias” completely controls the family, begs the hand of the poor wage earner Janja for his son Ivo. Young Janja saw this offer as the realization of her dreams.

Ket, a guitar-playing cricket, and his band like to entertain the carefree bugs from the neighbourhood.
At Roachella, the fun never ends, and winter is just a scary story told by uptight ants and conspiracy theorists. Nearby, a society of ants have dedicated their lives to discipline and work. Music is strictly forbidden. But Antoinette is not the same as other ants.
When Ket and Antoinette meet, they quickly grow close. But can the ant save the crickets from the upcoming winter before it’s too late?

THE 1st JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL
“Japan Croatia Award” winning film

A town of Koreans in Ikuno, Osaka Prefecture, Japan.
The funeral of Omoni (Okan), whom was a substitute for everyone’s mother, was being held.
Her eldest son, Yong-gi, who disappeared 15 years ago, does not show up. The three siblings, except Yong-gi, are at their wit’s end as they are burdened with debts from the store that Omoni started many years ago. Then, Yong-gi returns home…
The siblings are bewildered by the change of the eldest brother.
What is family?
With the thoughts and feelings of various people crossing paths, can family bonds really be restored through great love?

THE 1st JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL
“Best Actor Award” winning film

This is a local movie set in Endoji shopping street that actually exists in Nagoya City’s Nishi Ward, Japan. Although the number of empty stores in the Entonji shopping street, which still retains its old-fashioned atmosphere, is increasing, the street is still bustling with daily life. Kantaro, a dry-cleaner who has been chosen as the leader of the shopping arcade youth group, plans the “Universe’s Most Nosy Mission” with the members of the shopping arcade to reunite Shige, the stubborn shopping arcade chairman, with his best friend with whom he had a falling out in order to impress Shige on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Shige’s clog shop…….

Starring Jun Idoda of the comedy duo Speedwagon. Matsui Jurina and Yagami Kumi from the popular Nagoya-based idol group SKE48 make their first appearances in a film.

THE 1st JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL
“Best Documentary Award“ winning film

Mr. Hokiichi Hanawa was a Japanese national scholar active in the Edo period (1603-1868), whose goal became the goal of Helen Keller as well.
At a time when there were no Braille signs, Hokiichi Hanawa, who was totally blind, collected a vast amount of valuable classical Japanese literature and miscellaneous historical materials from all over Japan.
He compiled and published Gunsho Ruishu, a massive collection of some 670 volumes of Japanese national history and literature, in an effort to pass it on to future generations.
There is no other person in the world who has done such a great work while totally blind.
His life mission was for the sake of the world, for the sake of the future. Even in Japan today, so few people know about Hanawa Hokiichi today. However, once you learn about his life, you cannot not be amazed.

THE 1st JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL
“Best Director Award“ winning film

Musician Ryota’s contract with the record label was cancelled. Because of this, he has to do part-time jobs. He gradually lost his passion for music. 
Ryota’s girlfriend, Yuka, was worried about him and started talking about stage music. Yuka’s wish is for Ryota to continue with music creation. However, Ryota, who cannot escape from the trauma of the past and fails to return to music. 
A mysterious hero, Aterui, appears in front of Ryota. Aterui asked a confused Ryota “What will be your fate?