Canadian Premiere
Sina, Jasna, and Mihrije are three best friends navigating the challenges of young adulthood in contemporary Ljubljana. While they’re each already defying familial and societal expectations to some degree, their world is blown wide open when they meet Fantasy, a mysterious trans woman with much feminine wisdom. Her appearance triggers a deep transformation, causing the trio to part ways as they explore different facets of themselves.
In this electric debut, director Kukla captures the dichotomy of girlhood’s softer and rougher edges with exceptional insight. She peppers the film with stylish, choreographed sequences that suspend time and place as it observes the finer lines of adolescent metamorphosis. Leaning on her music origins with enviable restraint, the rising filmmaker strikes a fine balance of attractive visuals and narrative depth as she brings to life a Balkan coming-of-age odyssey that also doubles as an incisive generational snapshot.
Heart of Sarajeveo for Best Actress, Sarajevo 2025
Alina Juhart, Sarah Al Saleh, Mia Skrbinac, Mina Milovanović
Slovenia/North Macedonia
2025
In Slovenian, Albanian, Serbian, Bosnian and Macedonian with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Credits & Director
Producer
Lija Pogačnik, Barbara Daljavec, Vlado Bulajić
Screenwriter
Kukla
Cinematography
Lazar Bogdanović
Editor
Lukas Miheljak
Production Design
Maja Šavc
Original Music
Relja Ćupić
Kukla
Kukla, born in 1991 in Brežice, Slovenia, is a filmmaker and musician. She graduated in film and TV directing from the Film Academy in Ljubljana in 2014. Her short film Sisters won the Grand Prix at the 2021 Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and the Audience Award at Premiers Plans Angers. Her debut feature, Fantasy, participated in several development programs, including the Cinéfondation Residency, and marks her transition to long-form storytelling.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
How to Divorce During the War
Screenwriter Vytus is left reeling when on successive days his wife demands a divorce and Russia invades Ukraine. Blazevicius' masterful feature emerges as an engrossing satire about virtue signaling, nationalism, good intentions, and survival modes.
Kindergarten
In this charming Quebecois documentary, we are invited to look closely at the interactions of children between the ages of 1 and 5, a period in which they are just beginning to learn about social interactions. And yet how much they resemble ourselves!
American Doctor
One of the most powerful documentaries of the year, this puts us smack in the open wound that is Gaza, filtered through the eyes of three American surgeons (of Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian backgrounds) compelled to do their utmost to alleviate harm.
A Sad and Beautiful World
This Lebanese love story chronicles the romance between a level-headed businesswoman and a romantic restauranteur across several decades in wartorn Beirut. It's funny, charming, melancholy and you'll feel it all.
Edie Arnold is a Loser + Q&A
Loaded with breakneck gags in the spirit of Scott Pilgrim, but with a distinctly female-centered point of view, Megan Rico and Kade Atwood's hilarious teen comedy hits VIFF Centre on its 16 city whistlestop North American tour. Filmmaker Q&A.
