River Dreams

Сны реки

Doc Future Competition

gender

resistance

identity

Recommended for ages 12+

Directed by

Kristina Mikhailova

Kazakhstan, Switzerland, United Kingdom | 2026 | 98 min | Kazakh, Russian, Chechen

Young women imagine themselves as a river: what starts off as a poetic metaphor is linked to images of landscape and becomes a many-voiced narration, radically morphing into a political statement. The Kazakh woman, she prefers life without man.

Producer

Dana Sabitova

Screenwriter

Kristina Mikhailova

Cinematographer

Amir Zarubekov

Editor

Arya Rothe

Kristina Mikhailova

Production Company

24 FPS

Distribution

Axelle Jean
CINEPHIL
Axelle@cinephil.com

Festivals & Awards

Berlinale 2026 – Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, Forum

Available Online

11. 17. TUESDAY 18:00

Screening + Q&A

Művész - Chaplin

Subtitle: English and Hungarian

Tickets

11. 21. SATURDAY 18:15

Screening

Művész - Huszárik

Subtitle: English and Hungarian

Tickets

Photo Gallery

Trailer

Kristina Mikhailova

Director

Kristina Mikhailova is a Kazakhstani filmmaker, producer and artist. Her documentary practice combines personal storytelling with poetic and politically engaged approaches to landscape and identity. River Dreams is her debut feature and premiered in the Forum section of the Berlinale.

Trigger Warnings

The film includes discussion of abuse.