La Frances Hui, Curator, Department of Film, MoMA, and 2023 ND\/NF Co-chair\u00a0observes, \u201cThis geographically diverse lineup brings together new directors from all over the world presenting works that make bold and creative statements on everything from identity and family to political repression and postcolonial discourse. The power of cinema to inspire imagination and explore perspectives is evident in the wide range of styles, ideas, and voices in the selection.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opening the festival is Savanah Leaf\u2019s debut feature\u00a0Earth Mama <\/em>by US director Savanah Leaf, starring Tia Nomore, that draws a devastating and evocative portrait of motherhood refracted through the prisms of race and class.\u00a0ND\/NF will close with first-time director Vuk Lungulov-Klotz\u2019s\u00a0Mutt<\/em>, starring\u00a0L\u00edo\u00a0Mehiel (Special Jury Award winner at Sundance) as\u00a0Fe\u00f1a, a\u00a0twentysomething trans man who must\u00a0contend with an onslaught of aggravations, surprise encounters, and emotional choices over a 24-hour period.\u00a0<\/p>\n The rest of the lineup showcases several French films and coproductions including :\u00a0<\/p>\n