Directed by Lillah Halla, Power Alley (Levante) is a Brazilian drama that weaves a tale of personal struggle and societal challenges. The film world premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week and won the FIPRESCI Prize for Parallel Sections. Power Alley also won Best Narrative Feature at the 2024 Seattle Queer Film Festival and the 2024 PAFF Jury Award for Best First Feature Narrative, among many other awards.

Power Alley will make its US theatrical debut at Cinema Village in New York on December 6 and at Lumiere Cinema in LA on December 13.

Set in São Paulo, Power Alley follows Sofia, a spirited teen volleyball player from a modest background, whose life takes a dramatic turn when she faces an unplanned pregnancy. Against the backdrop of a conservative society, Sofia’s journey becomes a fight for autonomy and identity, supported by a diverse team that includes trans and non-binary teammates. The film explores themes of queer sisterhood and resilience, and the struggle for women’s rights.

The majority-women crew includes Wilsa Esser as Director of Photography; Eva Randolph as editor; María Elena Morán as co-writer; Joana Rochadel as Executive Producer; Clarissa Guarilha and Rafaella Costa as producers; and more. Lillah Halla, the director, states, “I work mostly with women and try to protect a safe space for dissident voices, and non-hegemonic workflows, different ways of thinking about hierarchy, the responsibility of telling such a story.”

Diarah N’Daw-Spech, Co-founder and General Manager of ArtMattan Films, expressed her enthusiasm about the acquisition, “We are excited to bring Power Alley to North American audiences. This film not only showcases exceptional artistry and compelling storytelling but also aligns perfectly with ArtMattan’s mission to promote diverse narratives from around the globe.”

Watch the trailer for Power Alley.