La Pirogue tells the story of 30 men and one woman who disembark from the Senegalese coast in a dinghy. The African passengers are from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, but they share the common desire to survive the perilous, seven-day trek to Spain in order to create better futures for themselves in Europe. On July 9th, this 87-minute drama, directed by Moussa Touré, will show on an outdoor screen in Socrates Sculpture Park as part of a 16th annual international film festival.

This eight-week collaboration with the Film Forum and Rooftop Films will focus on a different country or culture — Russia, Senegal, New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, Central Africa, Japan and France — each Wednesday evening. Before each screening, visitors will be able to enjoy live music and dance performances from each film’s native country or region.

Details after the jump

Details: International Film Festival, Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, Wednesdays until August 20th, free.

Update: The July 2nd screening of Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer, a documentary on an all-female Russian punk band’s concert in a Moscow cathedral and the Russian government’s response to it, was postponed. Socrates will screen it later although a date hasn’t been determined yet. Click here to get updates.

Photos: Socrates Sculpture Park