AMATEURS (AMATÖRER) World Cinema

The small Swedish town of Lafors wants a fresh start. When German investors show interest in building their superstore in the hamlet, community leaders decide to create a promotional video. Tasked with the project, local official Musse turns to high school students for help. Aida and Dana pick up their phones and begin filming. But council members reclaim the project when they see how the students’ work is not what they expected. Aida and Dana only become more inspired, and rebel by continuing to shoot. Director Gabriela Pichler returns to AFI FEST with a sharp, funny, youthful and complex drama about the pressures of modern community, and giving a voice to those most often unheard. – Sarah Harris