iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

"Lise is still the person who taught me all I know for working in this business - she taught me precision, decency, communication, and I admire her and am grateful until today. Here's to you, you super Group Leader 🥂 !!!" - @esthervanmessel.bsky.social #Talents in the #FirstHandFilms #EAVE #Family

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Esther van Messel @esthervanmessel.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

And now we turn the tables everywhere 🇭🇺

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Welcome Ibrahim 😎 We are so excited to work with another Jabaly! Ibrahim is a super talented iOS & WordPress (PHP) developer whose older brother is filmmaker Mohamed Jabaly. Such a pleasure to grow the team and we can't wait to tackle big projects together. www.firsthandfilms.com/ibrahim-jabaly

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

THE CHILDREN OF CAMP ASHRAF by Sara Moein is the only documentary in which people who grew up inside the MEK speak on camera. vimeo.com/ondemand/the... #CurrentAffairs #Politics #FemaleFilmmakers #HumanRights #Cult #Children #MEK #Sweden #Iran #FirstHandFilms #Documentary

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗢𝗠 - 𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗪𝗜𝗧 en salles dès septembre 2026! À 13 ans, Shewit fuit l’Érythrée pour échapper à son destin et conquérir sa liberté. Un combat filmé pendant 10 ans. En salles prochainement avec un grand tour d'avant-premières, en coopération avec Cinedoc.ch

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Pitching Carlotta Piccinini’s new film A SEARCH FOR LOVE (WT) at Impact Days, FIFDH Geneva next week. An intimate and political journey, where Sereti and Michela’s intertwined paths reveal generations of deep wounds, setting off acts of healing and transformative love.

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Esther van Messel @esthervanmessel.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Almost 28 years as a distributor - and this is the first time with a documentary in an A-list festival’s competition, (organically). I’m immensely grateful to showcase our films. I’ll do all I can to get YO seen anywhere because, and I quote, The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate Is Love.

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

✨ Nominiert für den Solothurner Filmpreis ✨ Ein einzigartiger Film der palästinensischen Geflüchteten eine Stimme und ein Gesicht gibt: intim, menschlich und universell. 🎊 Kommt zahlreich an die Vorpremieren in Anwesenheit der Protagonistin Haneen Harara und des Regisseurs Nicolas Wadimoff.

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

📣 We are pitching the wonderful Hanka Nobis newest film PEARLS at WEMW Trieste after out work on POLISH PRAYERS and SONGS OF SISTERHOOD. Come and say hi! 🩷 A woman dreams of the highest office, in a country where power still wears a suit. #FirstHandFilms #Documentary #WEMW

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

LESBIAN SPACE PRINCESS 🚀🪐 Ab 21. Januar 2026 im Kino. Macht euch bereit für eine verrückte Odyssee durchs All, mit garantiertem Spass und brandneuen Planeten! ✨ Eine inter-gay-laktische Reise: Lustig und farbenfroh.

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Proud to present this extraordinary series with Tunde Wey, chef, fighting colonialism and capitalism with Nigerian food: HARD TO SWALLOW by Tunde Wey & Theo Schear Find out more: www.firsthandfilms.com/films/Hard+t... #FirstHandFilms #Documentary

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

KALARI KID – SHE HITS BACK feiert Premiere an den Solothurner Filmtagen 2026 und ist für den Prix du Public nominiert. Ein Film über Selbstverteidigung, Widerstand und weibliche Stärke. #KalariKid #SolothurnerFilmtage #PrixDuPublic #Documentary #SwissCinema

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Wir feiern unsere starke Präsenz an den Solothurner Filmtagen 2026: KALARI KID – SHE HITS BACK (Prix du Public), dazu WHO IS STILL ALIVE (Prix Soleure), LAUNDRY, SHEWIT sowie im Panorama LA BEAUTÉ DE L’ANE und BARBARA BUSER. Wir freuen uns auf Solothurn! #SolothurnerFilmtage #FirstHandFilms

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Welcome Ashleigh 💖 We're happy to announce that following a wonderful cooperation on Impact and Outreach for our theatrical releases in Switzerland we now have this amazing person working with us on international marketing as well! www.firsthandfilms.com/ashleigh-bell #FirstHandFilms #Family

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Following its fabulous premiere at #VeniceFilmFestival join us and watch the trailer of: ELVIRA NOTARI - BEYOND SILENCE by Valerio Ciriaci From the margins, Italy’s first woman film director returns to view. www.firsthandfilms.com/films/Elvira...

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Honored and excited to present the legendary biopic of Miriam Makeba: MAMA AFRICA by Mika Kaurismäki www.firsthandfilms.com/films/Mama+A... #MiriamMakeba #MamaAfrica #SouthAfrica #PataPata #Anti-Apartheid #Freedom #Justice #Resistance #FirstHandFilms #Library #Documentary

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Proud to present a sneak preview of this brilliant historical testimony by an upcoming filmmaking team from Nazareth: MAY OF THE COVENANT by Ward Jaraisi www.firsthandfilms.com/films/May+of... #Palestine #Nazareth #SaveGaza #FreePalestine #FirstHandFilms #Documentary

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Selected for @unesco.org's Memory of the World Register (1001 carefully curated films), this film from 2003 is still, and again relevant: ARNA'S CHILDREN by Juliano Mer Khamis Palestinian theatre students use art as a weapon against the Occupation.

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Premiering at the debut edition of #SXSWLondon today: PALESTINE COMEDY CLUB by Alaa 'Regash' Aliabdallah & Charlotte Knowles following a buzzworthy launch when pitched at Cannes Docs-in-Progress. www.firsthandfilms.com/films/Palest... @esthervanmessel.bsky.social

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

✨DANS LA CUISINE DES NGUYEN – ein Musical, eine liebevolle Hommage an die Beziehung zwischen Müttern und Töchtern und an die Magie des Kochens. 🎬 Ab 12. Juni 2025 in Basel,kult.kino atelier, Biel Cinevital Rex, Luzern Capitol, Zürich Capitol und St. Gallen Scala @esthervanmessel.bsky.social

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Esther van Messel @esthervanmessel.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

@mcuban.bsky.social Are we preparing for winning? Midterms and 2028, if we do, it’ll be called ‘fake’, like now this economy is suddenly Biden‘s fault. Are we ready? Is there a plan on how to win and then keep that win?

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

United Nations Human Rights screenings in South Sudan & Tunisia of LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL by Mohamed Jabaly made possible by the wonderful @fifdh.bsky.social OHCHR-Tunisia & UNISFA Thank you for your hard work on the film's meaningful impact on your audiences, we couldn't ask for better partners!

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

British Airways, Kenyan Airways and American Airlines are streaming CALL ME DANCER by Leslie Shampaine & Pip Gilmour above the clouds! Where to watch back here on earth: www.firsthandfilms.com/films/Call+M... @esthervanmessel.bsky.social

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Disney+ in Europe is now streaming GOLDEN AGE by Beat Oswald! Extravaganza meets isolation in a dazzling contest. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access, The Palace unveils Miami’s top-rated senior community—where glamour, parties, and business thrive. A vibrant yet complex world unfolds.

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

🎉 We are thrilled to celebrate the talent and diverse voices from the 🏆 FIRST HAND FUND DIVERSITY CALL! 🏆 Seven unique projects embodying diversity, collaboration, and creativity were awarded, each representing a commitment to breaking barriers and embracing innovation. @esthervanmessel.bsky.social

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

🏆 6/7 Winner Spotlight: First Hand Fund Diversity Call 🏆 SEERA FILMS – where powerful stories from Asia, Africa, and the Arabic-speaking world come to life. SEERA Films amplifies underrepresented voices and showcases diverse narratives with global impact. @esthervanmessel.bsky.social

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

WOMEN CONQUER THE ART BUSINESS by Sarah Rathgeb produced by Esther van Messel has been invited to the Womens Voices Now Festival! This film showcases women gallerists who reshaped the male-dominated art world. Get tickets here: www.womensvoicesnow.org/women-conque... @esthervanmessel.bsky.social

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

A few years ago we couldn't image a world with wars like in previous centuries, yet here we are. In this film, we watch people who know how to make peace: THE NEGOTIATORS - HOW TO MAKE PEACE by Rosalind Bain www.firsthandfilms.com/films/The+Ne... @esthervanmessel.bsky.social

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

🏆 5/7 Winner Spotlight: First Hand Fund Diversity Call 🏆 BE–IN is a platform that enhances visibility, networking, and accessibility in the film festival community through resources, education, and social media. More information about our Fund: www.firsthandfund.com @esthervanmessel.bsky.social

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

🏆 2/7 Winner Spotlight: First Hand Fund Diversity Call 🏆 PALARCTIC by Mohamed Jabaly for Tvibit A Film Program for Nordic & Palestinian Filmmakers Submit here: tvibit.net/palarctic-project For more information about our Fund: www.firsthandfund.com @esthervanmessel.bsky.social

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

🏆 1/7 Winner Spotlight: First Hand Fund Diversity Call 🏆 WE ARE THE GRANDDAUGHTERS by Magdalena Puzmujźniak A hybrid doc exploring modern witches challenging the patriarchy through freedom, courage, and inclusivity. For more information about our Fund: link in bio! @esthervanmessel.bsky.social

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First Hand Films @firsthandfilms.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Award-winning WRITING HAWA by Najiba Noori & Ali Rasul Noori will have its Swiss premiere in the International Competition for Creative Documentaries @fifdh.bsky.social in Geneva this Sunday! #FIFDH #Geneva #FemaleFilmmakers #HumanRights #WomensRights #Afghanistan #FirstHandFilms #Documentary

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