Ahmet, a 15-year-old boy from a remote Yuruk village in North Macedonia, finds refuge in music while navigating his father’s expectations, a conservative community, and his first experience with love — a girl already promised to someone else.

Sundance Film Festival’s Short Film Program alum Georgi M. Unkovski (Sticker, 2020) makes his delightful feature film debut with this inspiring tribute to the unifying power of music at any age, as well as the unexpected freedoms it can provide. Undeterred by his shepherding responsibilities, Ahmet enlists the help of his brother Naim to channel his musical ambitions and dazzle Aya, whose dance troupe is preparing to take the village festival by storm. Unkovski looks to a charming young cast and sumptuous, dreamlike cinematography to capture the clash of modernity and tradition with fresh eyes, revealing a rural landscape transformed by the beat and bursting with color and movement.

Uplifted by warm humor, lovable characters, and an unsurprisingly catchy soundtrack, DJ Ahmet casts a welcome spell that reverberates long after the last joyous note.—Ana Souza

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 30–February 2) and credentialed press and industry (January 29–February 2).

This film contains strobe effects.