As 2023 comes to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our friends and partners again for their continuous, invaluable support throughout the year. More than ever, we feel encouraged and proud to be part of our international documentary community.

As this is also a time to share and appreciate our lives and gifts, we would like to thank artist Pavel Golovkin for the beautifully handcrafted piece of artwork that he sent us all the way from his hometown in Russia (photo below). Many years ago, when we were just starting to establish ourselves here in Glasgow, Pavel shared some impressive animation work with us that he had been working on for his film, “Dark Sky. White Clouds” (2015). The film - acquired by ARTE - is a philosophical, poetic documentary that explores the nerve-wracking transition from childhood to adulthood.

Thanks so much Pavel for your gift - the photo doesn’t do it any justice! We’re in awe of the infinite capacities of your creativity and the way in which you use your imagination to keep your hopes and dreams alive in the most trying, difficult times. Your piece is adding much-needed warmth to our Glasgow office this winter!

Pavel’s work reminds us that in times of heinous global violence - where the media’s conflicting perspectives leave us struggling to grapple with the meaning of truth and being human - nothing is more potent than our capacity to express our voices through the eternal gift of creativity. With this in mind, we wish to join the thousands of people who recently felt compelled to share the lines that Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer wrote a few days before he and his family were killed in Gaza:

If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze—
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself—
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above,
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love.
If I must die
let it bring hope,
let it be a tale.

Aconite’s office will be closed between 22nd December and 5th January. Until then, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Aconite Team