MAIAIFF – Maia International Film Festival

Welcome to maiaiff

Welcome to the third edition of the Maia International Film Festival! This edition, we are honoured to welcome as special guests the filmmakers Ali Asgari and Pourya Pour, whose cinematic vision continues to challenge and inspire audiences worldwide. Don’t miss this celebration of cinema at MAIAIFF – Maia International Film Festival. This year it’s going to be a special edition for all movies will have free entry as well as the dedicated session for children!

The festival

On April 29th, we were joined by the actors: Henrique Mello; Joana Cravo; Susana Blazer. And on May 2nd, in the MovieTalks, we welcomed: Ângelo Rodrigues; Carolina Amaral; Ivo Arroja; Pedro Giestas and Pedro Lacerda. The jury for this edition is composed of: Álvaro Gago, Mariana Figueiroa, Raf Vilar, Tânia Dinis, and Tiago Vieira da Silva, tasked with evaluating and awarding the highlights of this unique programme.

OPENING 29.04

29.04 — 21h00

Opening Port Wine Reception

29.04 — 21h45

Opening Ceremony

PORTUGUESE PREMIERE | 29.04 — 22h15

Divine Comedy

Bahram’s Turkish-Azeri work faces another rejection in Iran. He and his daring producer attempt a clandestine screening, confronting censorship, bureaucracy, and internal conflicts.

Directed by Ali Asgari
98 min · COMEDY/DRAMA
IR/IT/FR/DE/TR · 2025

AWARDS AND HONORABLE MENTION 2025

GOLD EAR OF WHEAT – 1st Place

MA - Cry of Silence (MM)

Mi-Thet, a young Burmese woman who works in a garment factory, faces an urgent strike organized by her colleagues, which reminds her of her deep trauma. By learning about the recent history of her country, she decides to act.

Director | The Maw Naing

SILVER EAR OF WHEAT – 2nd Place

The Hyperboreans (CL)

A woman’s storytelling and illusions bring to life the controversial figure of Miguel Serrano, a Chilean writer who propagated esoteric Neo-Nazi philosophies, prompting contemplation about his place in history.

Director | Cristóbal León & Joaquín Cociña

BRONZE EAR OF WHEAT – 3rd Place

Moon (AT)

Sarah, a former mixed martial artist from Vienna, takes up the offer to work as a personal trainer for the three daughters of a wealthy family in the Middle East. In a palace surrounded by walls, with no internet access and constant surveillance on the sisters, Sara finds that they are not really interested in boxing training. The question is, why was Sara brought here?

Director | Kurdwin Ayub

HONORABLE MENTION

Kino (DE)

An observation of daily life from the perspective of a cinema employee together with the imagination and power of cinema.

Director | Pourya Pour

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