New Horizons returns as one of the flagship competition sections of the 13th QCinema International Film Festival, showcasing outstanding feature debuts and sophomore films that push the boundaries of contemporary cinema. Running from November 14 to 23, 2025, this year’s edition presents a powerful lineup of international titles that highlight bold storytelling and innovative filmmaking from across the globe.
The New Horizons competition lineup includes:
Siyou Tan’s Amoeba (Singapore, Netherlands, France, Spain, South Korea), the winner of the Cinephilia Critics’ Award and the Youth Jury Award at the Pingyao International Film Festival, follows 16-year-old Choo, a school dropout who returns to her elite girls’ school and forms a rebellious bond with three misfit classmates: Vanessa, Gina, and Sofia. Their mock “gang” becomes a refuge from the strict rules and rigid conformity of Singaporean society. When a camcorder used to film their antics is confiscated, it threatens to reveal more than their pranks and forces the girls to confront shifting loyalties as they enter adulthood.
Sophy Romvari’s Blue Heron (Canada, Hungary, USA), recipient of the Swatch First Feature Award at Locarno and the Best Canadian Discovery Award at TIFF, blends fiction and memory in its portrayal of a Hungarian-Canadian family who relocates to Vancouver Island in the late 1990s. Told through the perspective of the youngest daughter, Sasha, the film moves from scenes of idyllic childhood to the family’s struggle with the dangerous behavioral and mental health challenges faced by the eldest son, Jeremy. As an adult, Sasha turns to filmmaking in an effort to understand and reconcile the fragmented memories of her past.
Danzuka Yuiga’s Brand New Landscape (Japan), which premiered at Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes, is set in a Tokyo reshaped by continuous redevelopment. The film follows siblings Ren and Emi, who drift through their grief and uncertain futures after the death of their mother. Estranged from their architect father, they confront buried tensions when he unexpectedly returns, offering what may be their final chance to rebuild their fractured family.
Kristen Stewart’s Chronology of Water (USA, France, Latvia), which debuted at Un Certain Regard in Cannes, is adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s acclaimed memoir. Starring Imogen Poots, the film traces Yuknavitch’s turbulent journey through trauma, addiction, and self-discovery. Through swimming and eventually writing, she finds a path toward healing and emerges as a powerful teacher, mother, and literary voice.
Georgi Unkovski’s DJ Ahmet (North Macedonia, Czechia, Serbia, Croatia), the winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award and the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision at Sundance 2025, centers on a 15-year-old boy in a conservative rural village. As Ahmet discovers first love and pursues his dream of becoming a DJ, he must navigate the strict expectations of his community while learning who he hopes to become.
Lloyd Lee Choi’s Lucky Lu (Canada, USA), which premiered at Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes, offers an intimate portrait of the immigrant experience in New York City. The film follows Lu, played by Chang Chen, a hardworking delivery rider whose life is thrown into turmoil when his electric bike is stolen. With his estranged wife and daughter about to reunite with him, Lu struggles to recover what he has lost while surviving the harsh realities of precarious labor in the city.
Marianna Brennand’s Manas (Brazil, Portugal), winner of the Director’s Award at Giornate degli Autori in Venice, is set deep in the Amazon near Marajó Island. The film follows 13-year-old Tielle, whose dreams of escape are shattered when she confronts the generational cycle of sexual exploitation affecting the women in her community. Determined to break this pattern and protect her younger sister, Tielle finds the strength to challenge the oppressive system around her.
Reza Rahadian’s On Your Lap (Indonesia), which received the KB Vision Audience Award and the FIPRESCI Award at the Busan International Film Festival, takes place during the 1998 Indonesian economic crisis. The story follows Sartika, a young “Pangku” coffee girl whose job of sitting on men’s laps as they drink is her only means of survival. As she struggles to rise above the lowest point in her life, she encounters people and choices that force her to confront her values and aspirations.
Hasan Hadi’s The President’s Cake (Iraq, USA, Qatar), the winner of the Audience Award and the Caméra d’Or at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and Iraq’s official entry to the Oscars, is set in 1990s Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s regime. The film follows a nine-year-old child who is chosen to deliver the president’s birthday cake, a duty that carries potentially fatal consequences if failed. With the help of their grandmother, the child embarks on a dangerous search for scarce ingredients, revealing the harsh moral choices imposed by authoritarian rule.
In addition to New Horizons, QCinema 2025 will also present its other competition sections: Asian Next Wave, showcasing emerging filmmakers from across Asia; RainbowQC, featuring diverse LGBTQIA+ stories; and QCShorts International, highlighting Southeast Asian directors in the short film format.
The 13th QCinema International Film Festival runs from November 14 to 23, 2025, with screenings at Gateway, Robinsons Galleria, Eastwood, Trinoma, Fishermall, and Cloverleaf. Tickets are priced at ₱250.
