The International Film Festival is honored to announce that the First Prize Award for the short film THE BLAME SILENCE, directed by Israel Cordova of Brazil, has been officially presented to the Brazilian Embassy in Montreal.
The film was selected by the jury for its high artistic standards, strong cinematic vision, and emotional impact, reflecting the director’s professional and thoughtful approach to filmmaking.
Israel Cordova, a 26-year-old filmmaker from Brasília, is recognized for his honest, human-centered, and realistic storytelling style, which continues to receive international attention.
The festival extends its warmest congratulations to Israel Cordova and the entire team of The Blame Silence on this distinguished achievement. We wish them continued success and look forward to welcoming filmmakers and new works at next year’s edition of the festival.
The Ark Gate International Film Festival is proud to announce the Best Film of its 5th edition:
THE BLAME SILENCE
Brazil
Director: Israel Cordova
A powerful and deeply atmospheric work, The Blame Silence tells the story of Mauro, a rural farmer who, after his father’s death, is confronted with a freedom he never dared to embrace. Torn between guilt and desire, he faces his fears in a journey toward accepting who he truly is.
The film distinguished itself through its subtle storytelling, emotional precision, and its sensitive exploration of identity, silence, and liberation.
About the Director:
Israel Cordova, a 26-year-old LGBTQIA+ filmmaker based in Brasília, Brazil, leads Ozara Filmes and works across directing, executive production, and cinematography. His filmmaking is defined by a human, realistic, and conflict-driven approach that brings clarity, depth, and honesty to the screen.
The festival congratulates Israel Cordova and the entire team behind The Blame Silence for this outstanding achievement.
We look forward to sharing more groundbreaking films in the years to come and continuing to support visionary filmmakers who push the boundaries of storytelling and cinematic expression
The Ark Gate International Film Festival proudly announces the Official Selection of its 5th edition (AGIFF 2025) — a celebration of artistic courage, independent storytelling, and global creativity.
After receiving an outstanding number of submissions from around the world, eight films have been officially selected to be part of this year’s program. These works represent bold cinematic voices and diverse perspectives that align with the festival’s mission to highlight stories that move, challenge, and inspire audiences.
Official Selection – AGIFF 2025
1. CARTAPESTA: CARNIVAL OF FANO-THE MOVIE (Italy)
2. EVA (Bulgaria)
3. IN OUT (Lebanon)
4. IN THEIR OWN TIME (India)
5. I WON’T CRY TOMORROW (Egypt)
6. THE BLAME SILENCE (Brazil)
7. THE FIRST MAN – EUGENE O’NEILL’S (United States)
8. THE SHELL (Portugal)
We extend our warmest congratulations to all selected filmmakers and express our gratitude to every artist who submitted their work.
The 5th ARK GATE International Film Festival invites you to celebrate these remarkable stories and the filmmakers who continue to redefine the language of cinema.
We’re excited to unveil the official poster for the 5th edition of the Ark Gate International Film Festival!
This moment marks the beginning of a new and inspiring chapter, celebrating creativity, collaboration, and the magic of cinema.
Poster Design: Majid Azadmanesh
The 4th Ark Gate International Film Festival took place in Montreal from November 27 to December 1, 2024, returning to the city after two editions in Toronto. Over 300 films were submitted to the festival, which celebrated diverse voices in global cinema. The Ark Gate International Film Festival continues to serve as a platform for amplifying international voices and fostering dialogue through cinema.
The final day, December 1, featured the closing ceremony, during which the audience-selected “A Mother Youngsoon”, directed by Lee Chang-jun from South Korea, was awarded Best Film of the Festival.
The festival was honored by the participation of the Consulate General of Serbia in Montreal, who attended in support of Serbian filmmaker Danilo Stanimirovic. Their presence highlighted the strong connection between the arts and diplomacy.
The closing ceremony was followed by a dinner party.
We extend our gratitude to all filmmakers, participants, and supporters who made this festival a memorable event. A special thanks to Concordia University, the Consulate of Serbia in Montreal, Shirkhodai Real Estate Group, and Orchidée Restaurant for their generous contributions.
The moment you’ve all been waiting for has arrived! The fourth edition of the “ARK GATE International Films Festival” proudly announces its selected films. After reviewing hundreds of entries from around the world, we’ve chosen the very best for you. Are you ready to join us and discover the most exciting independent cinema? Here it is—the list of selected films:
1. As Easy As Closing Your Eyes – USA
2. A Mother Youngsoon – Korea Republic
3. 5/3/0 – Serbia
4. We Will Not Fade Away – Ukraine
5. Deadly Draw – Spain
6. My Swiss Grey – Switzerland
7. The Java Plum Tree – Pakistan
We’re thrilled to unveil the official poster for the 4th edition of the Art Gate International Film Festival! This year’s festival will be even more special than the last, and we invite you to follow us as we prepare to make this incredible event happen in Montreal.
Poster: Aryan Arian
Graphic Design Director: Siamak Pourjabbar
The city of Montreal is proud to host the 4th International ARK Gate Film Festival at an expanded venue this year. The festival will take place from November 27th to December 1st.
The 4th Ark Gate International Film Festival in Montreal will have a special focus on “immigrant women” this year. We are committed to celebrating the creativity, talent, and stories of immigrant women from around the world.
The 4th edition of the Ark Gate International Film Festival is set to take place in Montreal at the prestigious “Concordia University.” Stay tuned for more updates and details about the event! We can’t wait to see you there! Register your film on FilmFreeway.
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