Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival 2026: Larissa Sansour & Søren Lind – In Vitro and Familiar Phantoms

A Journey into Memory and Sci-Fi: Larissa Sansour & Søren Lind at M+

As part of the Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival (AAGFF) 2026: Space Enter Shift, M+ is proud to present a special screening of the collaborative works of Palestinian filmmaker Larissa Sansour and Danish director Søren Lind. This programme highlights their unique cinematic language, which seamlessly blends the aesthetics of science fiction with experimental documentary styles to address profound geopolitical and historical themes.

The Programme: In Vitro and Familiar Phantoms

This curated screening brings together two pivotal short films that examine the complexities of heritage, trauma, and the non-neutrality of space:

• In Vitro (2019): Commissioned for the 58th Venice Biennale, this black-and-white sci-fi film is set in the aftermath of a global ecological collapse. It depicts scientists in an abandoned nuclear reactor beneath Bethlehem, struggling to cultivate native Palestinian plants from heirloom seeds—a poignant allegory for survival and cultural memory.
• Familiar Phantoms (2023): An experimental personal documentary that weaves together live-action, Super 8 footage, and archival photographs. It serves as an exploration of how anecdotes and fiction can shape, alter, and even define one's understanding of personal and collective history.

Festival Context

The AAGFF 2026 is a three-day celebration of diverse moving image practices across Asia, running from 29 to 31 May 2026. Through this edition, themed Space Enter Shift, M+ explores how filmmakers engage with physical, psychological, and virtual realities, moving beyond linear narratives to challenge dominant historical perspectives.

Related Programme: A Sunken Tale of Losses Delayed

Beyond this screening, audiences are encouraged to attend the Asian premiere of the artists' latest work, A Sunken Tale of Losses Delayed (2026), taking place at the M+ Grand Stair. This work features an opening narrative performance followed by a film that follows a Palestinian pirate captain reclaiming colonial artefacts. Please see the dedicated slot details below.

Practical Information

• Venue: M+ Cinema (House 1), West Kowloon Cultural District.
• Festival Passes: Access to all AAGFF programmes, including this screening, is available via a Festival Pass ($750). Member and concession tickets ($600) are also available.
• Booking: Early registration and advanced booking are highly recommended due to limited seating. Please visit the official M+ website for ticketing details and the full festival schedule.