Beach of Dreams

Documentary | Duration 19:40 | Director | Fotis Begklis (United Kingdom)

A story of walking, healing, and the future of our shores.

Beach of Dreams is a visual meditation on heritage, resilience, and the urgent need for connection in the face of a changing climate and a fragmented society. The film follows a nationwide creative journey along the UK’s coastline. Exploring the intersection of walking, community art and environmental activism, the documentary examines how collective action can address social fragmentation and the looming climate emergency.

Director Biography - Fotis Begklis

I am a non-fiction filmmaker and educator. I have developed a body of creative work, making documentaries, essay films and experimental non-fiction films. In my work, I am primarily interested in cinema’s ability to evoke thinking and memory and the power of film montage. My films explore the cracks and in-between spaces of documentary and experimental filmmaking as critical and creative media practices and the conditions for initiating change in a social and political transnational context. I have worked with many artists, corporate brands, musicians and local communities and collaborated on innovative educational, historical and artistic projects. I have worked with various underrepresented groups and voices promoting social responsibility and ethical filmmaking through non-fiction film production practices.

Director Statement

Beach of Dreams was conceived in response to some of the most pressing challenges facing coastal communities in the UK today – fragmentation, increasing social isolation during and after the COVID lockdowns, and a widespread sense of powerlessness in the face of the climate emergency.
At its heart, the project set out to explore the impact of co-creating artworks on fostering and strengthening emotional connections to coastal landscapes – and whether such connections could lead to more active, empowered communities ready to take positive action.
Through inclusive and creative approaches, participants were encouraged to respond to the challenges of coastal change in imaginative and meaningful ways

Documentary | Duration 53:07 | Director | Juan Alberto Morillas (Ireland)

Located on the majestic coast of Mallorca, Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece unravels the history and significance of the iconic house designed by Jørn Utzon, the architect behind the world-famous Sydney Opera House. Through the eyes of two expert architects, we explore how this retreat becomes a timeless example of sustainability, design, and architectural poetry.

The documentary not only highlights the grandeur of Can Lis but also invites reflection on how architecture can respond to its natural surroundings and enrich the human experience.

With an original soundtrack composed by an award-winning Spanish musician, this documentary celebrates the convergence of art, nature, and design, leaving an indelible mark on those who watch it.

Can Lis - Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece invites viewers on an extraordinary journey through the architectural brilliance of Jørn Utzon, the legendary mind behind the Sydney Opera House. Nestled on the cliffs of Mallorca, Can Lis stands as a testament to sustainable design long before the term became a global concern. With local materials and a deep respect for the island’s natural environment, Utzon crafted a home that harmonises with its surroundings while embodying his architectural philosophy.

Director Biography - Juan Alberto Morillas

Juan A. Morillas is an Architect renowned for his innovative approach to sustainable architecture. He is the founder of Share Your Green Design, a pioneering platform promoting sustainable design practices, and co-founder of Loop Your Spare, an initiative platform driving the circular economy through material and products reuse. Juan Alberto is based in Dublin, Ireland, where he works as Head of Sustainable Design at John Sisk & Son, the largest construction company in Ireland, where he leads projects focused on design efficiency, material optimisation, carbon reduction and circular economy. This is his first film project, marking an exciting foray into this fascinating world. While his background is not in cinema, his experience as an architect, storytelling and his passion for sustainable design gave him a unique perspective to tell visual stories that explore the intersection of design, the environment, and people. As a director, his multidisciplinary approach enriches the documentary, offering a fresh and profound look at how design and sustainability can transform our environments.

Director Statement

"In life, there are moments that define us, and for me, visiting Can Lis in 2022 was one of those moments. This documentary is the result of three years of discovery about Can Lis, Mallorca, Utzon, but also about what is truly important in architecture and life. Can Lis is much more than a house. It is the materialisation of a way of understanding the world. And that is what I have tried to convey with this documentary."

Documentary | Duration 12:38 | Director | Lisanne Van Ingen (United Kingdom)

Endolife is a short, hybrid documentary that combines the experiences of over 120 people with endometriosis into a single, scripted narrative. Instead of focusing on the medical aspects of the disease, the film illustrates how it affects daily life. Isolation, depression, and grief, but also transformation and hope, are key themes.

This documentary is the product of an exceptional collaboration of a mostly female crew, with team members currently based in England, Scotland, and Ireland—some just starting out, others with years of experience, but all equally dedicated to raising awareness for this common yet widely misunderstood condition.

Director Biography - Lisanne Van Ingen

Originally from The Netherlands but now based in Norwich, England—Liz has been creating projects for stage, page, and screen for many years. Her short films have been selected for Academy Award-, BIFA- and BAFTA-qualifying festivals across the United Kingdom and Europe. She is currently completing a PhD in on-screen narrative structure at the University of East Anglia whilst developing stories she truly cares about.

Director Statement

Although not a literal representation of my own experience with endometriosis, Endolife is a deeply personal story, and making it has been somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster that turned out to be transformative for me both as someone with endometriosis and as a filmmaker.

My goal in making this film was twofold: I wanted people with endometriosis to feel heard and seen. Our pain is often made invisible. Medical professionals don't listen, colleagues say we're exaggerating, and sometimes even our own family don't believe us when we tell them about our experiences. It is incredibly hard to advocate for yourself under these conditions. Having endometriosis is tough enough as it is—no one should have to fight to be believed on top of that.

I also hope that this film will help 'outsiders' understand how debilitating endometriosis can be, and how the effects of the condition extend far beyond the physical symptoms we experience. In making the film, I didn't want to shy away from showing intimate moments and raw emotion. This is what's happening behind closed doors—and you need to see it.

Endolife is my short film directorial debut, and the first documentary I have been a key part of. For that reason alone, it'll always hold a very special place in my heart. Throughout the making of this film, I have felt truly blessed to work with a diverse mix of exceptionally skilled and passionate creatives. I've loved watching each of them lend their art to Endolife, and add a little something of themselves to it.

Now, it's ready for an audience.