Z365" or "Festival all year round" is the new strategic point of the Festival in which converge investigation, accompaniment and development of new talents (Ikusmira Berriak, Nest); training and cinematic knowledge transfer (Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola, Zinemaldia + Plus, Filmmakers' dialogue); and investigation, disclosure and cinematic thought (Z70 project, Thought and Discussion and Research and publications).
Set in Liverpool, against the backdrop pf deprivation found in any modern coty, The Fruit Machine follows the story of two seventeen-year old boys, Eddie, innocent and on the run from home; and Michael, street-wise and a hustler who lives by his wits. Both desire, for different reasons, to escape their lives.
The land of milk and honey is portrayed by Brighton on the South Coast of England. The escape is further forced on them, when they witness the gangland murder of Anabelle, the transvestite hostess of the Fruit Machine Club. Fearing for their own lives, at the hands of hired killer, they are thrown into the arms of gay opera singer and his manipulative business manager. Both of these characters shameslessly exploit and use Michael but he in return, understands the approach seeing them only as a meal ticket. Eddie, the dreamer, oblivious to the corruption around him, sees only the beauty and quality of life. He is totally unprepared for the arrival of the ominous killer, Echo.