In a small village in Kosovo, three teenage girls finished with school are at a crossroads. Waiting to find out if they are accepted to university, the girls kill time throwing rocks at beer bottles, or just hanging out on the hill dreaming of getting out of their town. Their futures in this town look grim; without university providing a way out, they are stuck there in abusive households or family businesses in which they have no interest. First-time director Luàna Bajrami (you may know her from her supporting role in Portrait of a Lady on Fire) also appears in the film as Lena, a girl from Paris visiting her grandmother. Lena’s privileged position of vacationing in the place from where the girls are trying to escape further ignites their drive to get out. When they don’t get accepted to university, Li, Qe, and Jeta, gather their strength as “the lionesses that roar” and create a new way of getting out; they form a gang and start stealing from stores. Their criminal cache will get them out of town- but how long can that freedom last? Lionesses feels like a hopeful letter from one rebellious young woman to another.

- Tish Chambers