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LongShots Festival 2022: Six films that take us on a journey

Manuele Fior Woman riding across the desert on a large birdManuele Fior

Life is a journey, and so are movies, with all that it takes to bring a director's idea to the big screen. But even if they reach the stage of a major film festival, countless remarkable documentary films are still lost to a global audience.

That's why LongShots, the BBC's online film festival, returns for a third edition to celebrate 'Journeys', both real and metaphorical, with six short films that transport viewers to the most unexpected corners of our wonderful and diverse world.

An international collective of film festivals – held in the highest regard for their selection standards and commitment to highlighting the most visionary directors − nominated 60 films for LongShots' consideration. Our committee shortlisted the six best films, which will be available to watch for free on the BBC Reel website for a year, starting on 8 September.

LongShots will be hosting a full slate of film festival experiences online, with original filmmaker Q&As and social media content. Two prizes will be awarded at the festival, one decided by a jury of illustrious filmmakers, the other decided through a public vote.

We invite you to explore these six unforgettable films, and to cast your vote for your favourite in the Audience Award. The deadline for voting is 19 September, and the winners will be announced at a special live event on 21 September in New York City's iconic Metrograph movie theatre, as well as being streamed live on social media.

Special thanks go to our six film festival partners:

Read the terms and conditions and privacy notice for the audience vote.

LongShots was created by Anna Bressanin, BBC Reel editor in the US, and director of LongShots; Ana Catalá is the co-curator of the festival. Natalia Guerrero, Senior producer. Graphics by Clementina Gades and Laura Llewellyn. Photo editor: Javier Hirschfeld. Social media producers: Florence Craig and Soo Min Kim. Poster by Manuele Fior.

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