The short film IUS of Time, directed by Roberto F. Canuto and Xu Xiaoxi, has received over 50 international festival selections and 7 awards since its premiere less than a year ago. The film continues its international festival journey with its Polish premiere at the 17th edition of the LGBT+ Film Festival Poland, one of the most important queer film festivals in Central and Eastern Europe.
The festival, which opens in Warsaw from April 10–18, 2026 and later expands to other cities across the country, presents a wide-ranging program of bold and socially engaged queer cinema, bringing together international works that reflect contemporary social and cultural realities.
Screening at LGBT+ Film Festival Poland – Warsaw (Kinoteka)
IUS of Time will be presented in the “Gay Stories (Shorts)” program, alongside productions from the United States, Hungary, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
Screenings will take place at Kinoteka (Warsaw):
• April 11, 2026 – 20:30
• April 12, 2026 – 18:30
Across the “Gay Stories (Shorts)” and “Gay Love Affairs (Shorts)” sections, the festival showcases a total of 11 international gay short films. IUS of Time is the only Spanish film in this selection, highlighting its growing visibility within the European festival circuit.
This selection also continues the filmmakers’ relationship with the festival, where their previous works Sunken Plum (9th edition, 2018) and Water Circles Under Cotton Clouds (14th edition, 2023) were also presented.
IUS of Time : a story of memory, identity and silence
Set in a rural village in northern Spain, IUS of Time follows a young photography student who returns to reconnect with his roots and meets Xuan, an aging cheesemaker marked by long-standing rumors about his sexuality.
Filmed in the landscapes of Asturias — including the traditional Cabrales cheese caves in Asiegu (courtesy of Quesería Ecológica Asiegu) and historic rural houses shaped by centuries of history — the film draws deeply from the atmosphere of the Picos de Europa to create an intimate and grounded visual world.
As their relationship gradually unfolds, the film explores silence, belonging and generational distance through a restrained and observational approach.
Produced by Almost Red Producciones with the support of the Principado de Asturias, the film reinforces its connection to the region both thematically and materially.
Recognition at Rochester International Film Festival (New York, USA)
In parallel with its European festival run, the film has also been recognized at the 68th Rochester International Film Festival, one of the longest-running film festivals in the United States, founded in 1959. This year’s edition will take place from April 30 to May 2, 2026 in Rochester, New York.
The film received an award distinction from the festival’s final judging panel, further consolidating its international trajectory.
This recognition strengthens the film’s presence across the U.S. festival circuit, including screenings and awards at festivals such as the 45th Thomas Edison Film Festival (Director’s Choice Award), where the film is part of the official 2026 touring program, as well as the 27th OUTshine Film Festival, where it had its international premiere and launched its international run, followed by the Silicon Valley Queer Film Festival (Best Cinematography Award), and selections at the 43rd Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival and the 27th Spokane International Film Festival, among others.
Expanding international trajectory
With its Polish premiere and recognition at Rochester, IUS of Time continues a festival run spanning three continents: Europe, America and Asia.
The film is part of the ongoing work of Roberto F. Canuto & Xu Xiaoxi, who have collaborated for over 15 years since completing their Master’s degrees at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. Their films have been widely presented at international festivals and are known for their cross-cultural perspective, working between Europe and Asia while focusing on intimate human stories shaped by social context and personal transformation.
The filmmakers are currently developing new fiction projects in both short and feature formats, with upcoming productions planned between Spain and China, continuing their commitment to international collaboration and auteur cinema.
Watch the official trailer:
