This competition aims to assemble new works by highly individualistic directors from fall film festivals all over the world. We present a varied collection of filmmakers, from newcomers with unique backgrounds to full-fledged veterans. More importantly, we have made a conscious effort to include films from a wide range of countries. There is no more effective means of understanding the world than cinema. With films from Europe, North and South America, and Asia, including Japan, the competition itself is like a globe. In addition to valuing stimulation and entertainment, we value films that reflect the social conditions and contemporary state of these regions. As the migrant crisis has worsened, there has been an explosion of films dealing with this issue. Needless to say, reality makes a mark on cinema. Can a son of immigrant working in a Paris entertainment district succeed? Can a group of female Italian workers unite in their struggle against a failing factory? Can a Swedish girl from an ethnic minority escape the confines of her world? Can an Iranian couple come to an agreement on having a second child? Can a Filipino drag queen get the death she is hoping for? Can a Romanian journalist maintain his professional ethics? Conflicts between individuals and societies occur everywhere. How intently can film focus on these subjects? How intently can we focus on them? Cinema tests our attitudes toward the world.