We are proud to announce that “IUS of Time”, directed by Roberto F. Canuto and Xu Xiaoxi, has been awarded the Director’s Choice Award at the 45th Thomas Edison Film Festival (TEFF), as part of its 2026 touring season. The festival is both an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival and a Canadian Screen Award Qualifying Festival in selected categories, and this recognition places the film among a select group of works distinguished for their artistic vision and storytelling strength.
As stated by the festival in its official selection notification, the Director’s Choice Award highlights works that push creative boundaries, tell universal stories, and elevate cinema as an art form. IUS of Time was selected for its unique vision and expressive approach, joining a catalogue of films that will continue to be exhibited throughout the year.
A Touring Festival with Nationwide Reach in the United States
Unlike destination-based festivals, the Thomas Edison Film Festival operates as an itinerant cultural program, presenting curated film selections across the United States during an extended season. TEFF screenings take place in museums, universities, cultural institutions, cinematheques, and art centers, allowing films to engage with diverse audiences over time.
Over the years, TEFF programs have been hosted at prominent venues such as the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University, the Anthology Film Archives (New York), and numerous academic and cultural spaces nationwide. As part of the 2026 touring catalogue, “IUS of Time” will be eligible for exhibition across multiple locations, ensuring a sustained and meaningful presence beyond a single festival screening.
This touring model offers a distinctive form of visibility, emphasizing continuity, dialogue, and long-term audience engagement rather than a one-off festival appearance.
Time, Memory, and Queer Experience Beyond the Urban Gaze
Set in the rural landscape of Asturias, in northern Spain, “IUS of Time” Time explores an encounter between two men from different generations: Luca, a young photographer searching for belonging, and Xuan, a veteran cheesemaker living in isolation. What begins as a practical arrangement gradually evolves into an intimate exchange shaped by silence, memory, and shared presence.
Rooted in real environments and artisanal traditions, the film uses cheesemaking as a central metaphor — a craft that speaks of patience, sustainability, and harmony with nature. Through this process, “IUS of Time” reflects on ways of living that resist uniformity and preserve cultural identity across time.
The film deliberately moves away from dominant urban queer narratives, situating its story in a rural environment where identity is often negotiated quietly and emotional survival exists on the margins. Through restrained performances, natural light, and a contemplative rhythm, “IUS of Time” allows time itself to become a narrative force — shaping memory, desire, and connection.
Receiving the Director’s Choice Award Award at TEFF underscores the film’s resonance within a festival context that values artistic risk, formal sensitivity, and human complexity.
Looking Ahead: A Living Film in 2026
Being selected for the Thomas Edison Film Festival’s 2026 touring season marks an important step in the ongoing life of “IUS of Time”. As the film continues its international journey, this recognition reinforces its place within conversations around contemporary queer cinema, independent filmmaking, and alternative exhibition models.
We look forward to sharing updates as new screenings and venues are announced throughout the year.
🎟️ More information about the Thomas Edison Film Festival and its touring programs can be found on the festival’s official website, where upcoming screenings and venues will be announced in the coming months.
🔎 To learn more about the short film, its full synopsis, and its journey through festivals and awards, you can visit the page for “IUS of Time” on our website.
