Animation Short – Official Selection – February 2020
The One Who Crossed the Sea | Germany | 2020 | 11’
Director: Jonas Riemer
Writers: Jonas Riemer, Lion Bischof
Producers: Jonas Riemer, Johannes Schubert
Synopsis: The animated documentary THE ONE WHO CROSSED THE SEA tells the story of a GDR refugee who joins the new right. In a folding boat, he flees via Denmark to Western Germany, where the story tips into the dark. His newly acquired freedom turns into disorientation. Only in a burgeoning nationalist movement does the main character find a new home. The film poses the elementary question: Where does the fear of the foreign and the desire for isolation really come from?
One Left | Austria | 2020 | 07’
Director: Sebastian Doringer
Synopsis: “One Left” takes place in a world where life is symbolized by a heart pictogram that appears above a person’s head. Several patients are waiting in a doctor’s office to hear test results regarding their remaining lifetimes. In most cases, the allotted time is not as long as they had hoped for.
Beyond The Moon | Republic of Korea | 2019 | 07’
Directors: JIYONG HYONG, SEOYOUNG CHO
Synopsis: Su-hyun wants to go to the star. But Gumdaeng wants Suhyun to reach the moon.
Division Series | Republic of Korea | 2019 | 06’
Director: HO KWON KIM
Writer: HO KWON KIM
Producer: JIN SOO LEE
Synopsis: Prime Minister Abe goes into KFC(Kennedy Fried Chicken) stores to buy chicken, but chicken is already sold out. At the next table, presidents from various countries start playing cards to win the last chicken basket.
CRUNCH | United States | 2019 | 10’
Director: Liukaidi Peng
Synopsis: “CRUNCH” is a sci-fi comedy 3D animation. The story starts with the morning of a little, short guy named Bob who just starts working in the space agency. When watching the spaceship launching, Bob is hit by a mysterious lightning and starts to grow bigger. But there seems no way to stop…
The Fall | Argentina | 2020 | 03’
Directors: Martin Schurmann, Fernando Szurman
Producers: Sofia Teodoro, Emiliano Bonda
Cast: William Prociuk
Synopsis: Jorge Luis Borges wrote: The mind was dreaming, the world was its dream. The Fall started its life as a dream, a typical drop dream. Everything else, we’re leaving to your imagination!
Children Short – Official Selection – February 2020
The Important Day | Russian Federation | 2019 | 20’
Director: Olesia Aleinikova
Writers: Olesia Aleinikova, Anna Rubtsova
Producer: Olesia Aleinikova
Cast: Ilya Averin, Petr Natarov, Emilia Glagoleva, Elena Tashaeva, Ivan Ivashkin, Elena Saar
Synopsis: Misha (10) is an unusual child. They say “the head in clouds” about such people. A violin virtuoso, he does not just play music, he sees it. Every sound, every note is a colour. The melody is a colourful pattern. Misha perceives the world delicately, but cannot get along with agemates. They dislike this strange timid guy, especially because the adults emphasize his talent and praise him. He is a genius and a future star for the teacher but a sissy for the boys. There is a very important day approaching in the music school – the competition where the famous producer will be present. The teacher asks children to prepare themselves thoroughly but everybody understands the producer will be there because of Misha. His parents manage to persuade this busy man to come. And only Misha does not think about the victory at all. He is just fond of music in its every form. Misha hears a very beautiful song in the subway crossing. This is the song of the vagabond. People pass by the dirty vagabond but the boy is fascinated by the song, though his mother doesn’t let him hear it till the end. Misha is compassionate about the vagabond. In the night the boy crashes the money-box to give him all coins. But there is nobody in the crossing in the morning. Meanwhile everybody waits for the producer to come to the music school. The ambitious Misha’s mother dreams to make him the star by all means. And it doesn’t matter for them whether he wants it or not. He is so small to understand the importance of the success in the modern world. The teacher is at last ready to shine her pedagogic talent – it is she who brought up the genius. She doesn’t notice that her obsessive praise intensifies the envy and provokes the conflict. The class leader Denis wants to win too but doesn’t believe in the chance – everybody admires only Misha. Denis thinks Misha gets everything so easy. It is unfair. The boys led by Denis and Sveta the blogger decide to teach Misha a lesson. They trap him in the toilet and pour the boiling water over his hands so he cannot play. Curious Sveta usually shooting everything for her blog, shoots this too. But having seen the awful act of the boys she is afraid but she doesn’t say anybody a word about it. And Misha’s parents with the teacher, caring only about the producer, do not even notice anything wrong. At last Misha is on the stage. Everybody waits for the virtuosic play but the boy just stands with his violin in hands. Colours and sounds disappeared for him. This is a grandiose failure. The producer is disappointed. Ashamed parents leave the hall silently so the producer cannot see them. The teacher asks the producer to listen to other children because there are, so to say, plenty more pebbles on the beach. Denis who got the first prize, for example. But he angrily leaves the school, he spent so much time in vain. Only Sveta thinks about Misha. She regrets that she did not say anything to the adults like a coward. But it is too late. Misha leaves the school silently. He does not care about his fiasco. The most awful thing for him is that the music and colours disappeared, the world became grey. But suddenly he hears the vagabond’s voice in the subway crossing. Colours come back again step by step. He comes to the vagabond, takes his violin and plays, despite the hurt of the burn hands. Suddenly Misha sees Sveta. She is listening to them and crying. The boy’s music doesn’t leave anybody indifferent. He seems to fly over the people and his music overwhelmed the city.
Ailin on the moon | Argentina | 2018 | 05’
Director: Claudia Ruiz
Writers: Claudia Ruiz, Malena Martinez
Producer: El molinete Animación
Synopsis: Work, do the shopping, cooking, cleaning, ironing, taking care of Ailín: that is the routine of Vilma, mother of 40 years, overwhelmed by fatigue and skin intolerance. Ailín (4), just looking to play and demand the attention of a restless girl, one day causes the emotional outbreak of the mother. The routine that led them away must be broken to meet again.
Commercial/Ad/TVC Short – Official Selection – February 2020
Papirgam.com | Ukraine | 2020 | 01’
Director: Maksym Madonov
Writer: Maksym Madonov
Producers: Ivan Voronkov, Daryna Kot
Synopsis: Papirgam is a strong durable wallet made with Tyvek material using origami technique. Video advertising is focusing on showcasing and testing what Papirgam can withstand.
We give everything for you | Spain | 2019 | 02’
Directors: Daniel Díaz, Gloria Tejero
Writers: Daniel Díaz, Gloria Tejero
Producer: 60ráfagas
Synopsis: Friulio is an event of historical recreation that is celebrated in the North of Spain, emulating celtic everyday life and their fighting against the Roman legions. The objective of the campaign was to attract a greater number of visitors.
Documentary Short – Official Selection – February 2020
Rooted in Shadow | 01’
Director: Bob van de Gronde
Writer: Bob van de Gronde
Producer: Masha Spaans
Cast: Jessey Voorn, Ramon Voorn, Wulicio Sabajo, Lennard Sibeijn
Synopsis: New Balance recently moved into basketball and released its Omni 1S shoe with NBA player Kawhi Leonard. The Rooted in Shadow project was meant to translate their global Basketball launch into a local campaign. Eyeforce found the true story of boxing legend Ramon Voorn and his son Jessey Voorn, who is a professional basketball player, and developed a coming of age film concept. The goal was to create a soulful piece, that feels more like a short film and did right to the original story. Since the film, Jessey has also become an ambassador for New Balance Benelux, and Rooted in Shadow marks the beginning of a longer collaboration.
Undue | Russian Federation | 2020 | 28’
Director: Natalya Lobko
Writer: Natalya Lobko
Producers: Konstantin Lobko, Natalya Lobko
Synopsis: Patients of the newborns intensive care unit are babies, born long ahead the due date. They look like old men with tiny wrinkled faces and fit in the palm of a man. How much does the babies’ chance for a full life depend on parents? How much do they believe in their baby and are ready to fight for him?
He Hekenga Tūhura | New Zealand | 2019 | 08’
Director: Allan George
Writer: Allan George
Producers: Justin Scott, Moehau Hodges-Tai
Cast: Sir Hekenukumai Pūhipi (Hector Busby)
Synopsis: In Sir Hekenukumai Pūhipi’s (1932 – 2019) last interview, he looks back on his legacy of celestial navigation and waka building, and considers who will carry the mantle into the future. Short Synopsis Revered Polynesian navigator and Māori leader, Sir Hekenukumai Pūhipi (Sir Hector Busby), passed away in 2019. During his final days ‘Sir Hek’ reflects on dedicating his life to the restoration of Māori seafaring traditions, sailing the ‘pacific triangle’ – linking Aotearoa (New Zealand), Hawaii and Rapa Nui/Easter Island – and attempting to preserve and revive a knowledge that is in danger of being forgotten. He revisits the origins of those who inspired him, including the late Māori kaumatua Sir James Henare, the Hawaiian navigators from the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the late Micronesian master navigator Mau Piailug. A conversation of an extraordinary life in full te reo Māori.
Alzheimer Cafe | Slovenia | 19’
Director: Martin Draksler
Writer: Martin Draksler
Producer: Jožica Blatnik
Synopsis: Ivan and Jožica, a married couple, move to a care home after 70 years of sharing their lives. Despite the hardships of old age, they continue to live together in the new environment. Memories are fading, love remains.
Music lives here | Russian Federation | 2019 | 27’
Director: Polina Stepanova
Producer: Irkutsk region film foundation
Synopsis: Music has been living in Irkutsk Region Philharmonic Hall for 80 years already. The film tells us about the mission of a musician, about intergenerational continuity and how the hand of a master leads and directs his pupil. About the role of the conductor in the Symphony orchestra, the power of folk music, about the voices “flying to God”. Philharmonic music travels and gets to different parts of the world, and the rattling sound of tram becomes integral part of love and harmony (of Philharmonic).
The Other Side: Dancer | United Arab Emirates | 2020 | 03’
Director: Rajeev Thottippully
Producer: Serena Houdrouge
Synopsis: Expressing her inner desires through sways and twirls, Rhea from Lebanon loves and lives dancing. Fighting the physical fatigue and the mental struggles every dancer faces, Rhea overcomes tapping and sweating away the struggles by creating, expressing and embracing her passion for the art. The series of films depict the incredible journey of different lives among the expatriate community in the UAE, which comprises the larger chunk of it’s total population. The films portray different stories of people who manage to find time to follow their heart and pursue their passion. Depicting “the other side” of their lives, the film explores the minds of passionate people, and their lifestyle, on how they make the right use of their time and resources to do what they really love, amidst their busy work life.
Robin Food | Italy | 2019 | 20’
Director: Pavel Maximov
Writer: Pavel Maximov
Producer: Pavel Maximov
Cast: Shai Rilov, Kobi Carolla, Ido Grossman
Synopsis: Robin Food is a non-profit and pay-as-you-feel restaurant with a mission: rescue, cook and serve food that otherwise would go to waste. The restaurant is saving fruit and vegetables from markets and farms to raise public awareness on issues of food waste, sustainability and climate change in the most tangible and delicious way possible: a tasty meal. Robin Food location: Sirkin St 24, Haifa, Israel Subtitles: English, Spanish, Italian (coming soon Russian, Hebrew, Polish).
Experimental Short – Official Selection – February 2020
Hold Onto the Moving Sky | United States | 2019 | 08’
Director: Benjamin Morgan
Writer: Jocelyn Berado, Benjamin Morgan
Producer: Benjamin Morgan
Cast: Jocelyn Berado, Gregory Rawlins
Synopsis: A “silent film” about a woman who receives a troubling text about her boyfriend. There’s no avoiding it; she must make a decision that will dramatically change the course of her life.
The Universe According to Dan Buckley | Germany | 2019 | 10’
Director: Roberto Santaguida
Writer: Dan Buckley
Producers: Svetla Turnin , Ezra Winton
Cast: Roberto Santaguida
Synopsis: In the beginning, there was nothing. You can get nothing easily.
Fragments | United States | 2020 | 05’
Director: Mark Neeley
Synopsis: Animated short film that combines hand drawn 2D animation and 35mm photography. The story of how individual events synchronize with each other due to timing and nostalgia. In this film, those simultaneous events being a first trip to the state of California and the loss of a pet.
Everything Felt Possible | United Kingdom | 2019 | 15’
Director: Charlie Cattrall
Writer: Charlie Cattrall
Producer: Harry Starkey-Midha
Cast: Aoife Duffin, Romeu Runa
Synopsis: A heart-broken man asks a mysterious woman to be his ex for one night. She agrees and leads him down a labyrinthine path where it’s unclear what is real and what is imaginary. As they journey deeper it is uncertain whether this will lead to their emancipation or annihilation.
Odif | United States | 2018 | 06’
Director: Mike Sanchez
Writers: Jason Madera, Mike Sanchez
Producer: Suzi Sanchez
Cast: Jason Madera, Veronica Jensen, Jordan Mosley
Synopsis: Tormented by loss, Little Man finds renewed love.
Apple | China | 2019 | 08’
Director: Jiang Xiong
Writer: Jiang Xiong
Producer: Jiang Xiong
Cast: Wei Wei, Peng MIngcheng, Xiao Qi, Zhang Xi , Jiang Yani, Yang Yang
Synopsis: The concept of this video comes from my growth experience and thinking about women’s perspective. The symbol “Apple” runs through the entire work, metaphorizing and expressing my thinking about growth / youth. Innocence-Confused-Accepted-Devoured-Return … If this process uses a taste to describe the feeling after viewing, it is like eating a bite of ripe plums, which is memorable, but it is the residual sour taste.
La Mer | Spain | 2019 | 03’
Director: Victor Claramunt
Writers: Ingrid Gené Gili, Victor Claramunt
Producers: Jose Trullenque, Victor Claramunt
Cast: Aroa Renau, Samuel Walton, Lola Walton, Maria Tereski
Synopsis: We live in a society where we are not aware of the amount of plastic around us. Four children, from 11 to 6 years old, in recognizable two-color environments, where the plastic that coexists naturally with us stands out, they will tell us what we are doing with our oceans … with our planet. From the world of fashion we must also make the audience aware that we should do everything in our power to change the course of history. Fashion as a social speaker. Kids as social speakers. We need all world attention. #gobeyondplastic
The evil eye | Germany | 2018 | 15’
Director: Leonore Kasper
Writers: Leonore Kasper, Mihaela Dragan
Producers: Leonore Kasper, proper LUFT Film, Roma Actors Association
Cast: Mihaela Dragan, Nicoleta Visan, Ion Rusu
Synopsis: A reporter and a camera operator are visiting the camp of a protesting Roma community in Bucharest that recently got evicted. During the interview the protesters start questioning the real motivation of the reporter team and claim their right to tell their version of the story. Shortfilm based on the story and experiences of the evicted people from Strada Vulturilor 50 in Bucharest, Romania.
Huo Zhe | Taiwan | 2020 | 04’
Director: Kino Lee
Writer: Kino Lee
Producer: Kino Lee
Cast: Kino Lee
Synopsis: Hands are us, water is how the life treating us, and we as audiences are watching the life from far. The title “Huo Zhe” means “living” in Mandarin.
Mini Video Short – Official Selection – February 2020
Whoopsies! | United States | 2019 | 02’
Director: Jeff Katz
Writer: Jeff Katz
Synopsis: A stop-motion story about a wandering cowgirl and her saguaro nemesis. Made at the Rhode Island School of Design in 2019.
PAPER | China | 2019 | 02’
Director: Jiang Xiong
Writer: Jiang Xiong
Producer: Jiang Xiong
Cast: Wu Dali, Kuang Zhiheng, Ye Youzhen
Synopsis: “Flow and stillness” is the theme of this work. The two topics expressed in the heavy factory and on the light paper are interchangeable. The image of “paper” can be bright and dark, light and heavy, and it can be constantly changed. It can be used under anti-gravity to form an uncontrollable factor.
The Fall | Argentina | 2020 | 03’
Directors: Martin Schurmann, Fernando Szurman
Producers: Sofia Teodoro, Emiliano Bonda
Cast: William Prociuk
Synopsis: Jorge Luis Borges wrote: The mind was dreaming, the world was its dream. The Fall started its life as a dream, a typical drop dream. Everything else, we’re leaving to your imagination!
Mobile Phone Short – Official Selection – February 2020
The Test | Germany | 2020 | 03’
Director: Philipp Christopher
Writer: Philipp Christopher
Producer: Philipp Christopher
Cast: Philipp Christopher, Anna Schumacher
Synopsis: A couple is conversing over the phone while taking a pregnancy test. The result will surprise you.
Sleepwalkers | Russian Federation | 2020-01-29 | 08’
Director: Yakov Ionychev
Writer: Yakov Ionychev
Producer: Geroge Yarygin
Cast: Dmitry Sokolov, Anna Ezhova
Synopsis: A life wasting gamer starts waking up with random things in bed. Trying to find out where they come from he finds himself sleepwalking with someone and tries to meet this person when they are awakened.
Music Video – Official Selection – February 2020
Fucking Down | Spain | 2019 | 05’
Director: Amanda Lago
Producers: Paula Garcia & Patricia Sagues (Lapiscina)
Cast: Paula Garcia, Maria Kaltembacher, Antia Lousada , Silvia Maya, Angeles Paez, Deni Georgieva, Cachito Noguera, Claudia Placer, Alexandra Hervas
Fucking Down is latest music video directed by Spanish filmmaker Amanda Lago for musician Fatal Tiger, produced by Lapiscina. The video explores the struggle we face in accepting ourselves by portraying and engaging with the most extreme aspects of our personality. Set in a futuristic dystopian era with a strong retro aesthetic, Fucking Down presents us with several women of different ages surrounding the singer in a somber hotel room. Though similar in appearance, each reflects a unique trait spanning across the whole spectrum of human emotions. From playful and kind to brutal and fierce, the singer finds herself at their complete mercy with almost no control over their actions. A carefully constructed and purposefully repetitive choreography illustrates this scenario, with each cycle featuring slightly different movements – some more exaggerated and violent and some more restrained and controlled. This reiteration gives the protagonist the chance to react differently each time and learn more about herself, leading her to predict patterns in her own behaviour and gradually accept herself.
LENNY MAKES SOME-THING – “TURN ME ON (feat.ARCX)” MV | Republic of Korea | 2020 | 04’
Director: Junha Kim
Writers: LENNY MAKES SOME-THING, Junha Kim
Producer: Junha Kim
Synopsis: Musician Lenny escapes from his boring routine through his music. Singing his new song “Turn Me On”, he meets his muse Tinkerbell, travels together in the fantasy world and fascinates various fairy tale characters.
Friend Anxiety | Spain | 2018 | 07’
Directors: Daniel Díaz, Gloria Tejero
Writers: Daniel Díaz, Gloria Tejero
Producer: 60ráfagas
Cast: Igor Fernández
Synopsis: Anxiety is a monster that sits on your chest and does not allow you to breathe, it is the constant fear of anticipation of things that will surely never happen. Our society has increased desires to the unbearable and at the same time to satisfy them it’s much more difficult. Time ago people fought on the battlefield of war, today the battlefield has expanded to sex, money and work.
Animals | Greece | 2019 | 06’
Director: Evan Maragkoudakis
Producers: Panos Gklinos, George Diathesopoulos, Dimitris Sakellariou, Dimitris Georgopoulos
Cast: Filius-Mihail Canakis, Vaggelis Salevris, Dimos Kallay, Antonis Mantakas
Synopsis: After an extreme gang hazing “ritual”, a rookie gang member discovers and embraces his true self. Overcoming peer pressure, he gives way to the most sacred human emotion, love.
Moonwalk | Canada | 2019 | 05’
Director: Vincent Marcone
Writer: Vincent Marcone
Producer: Vincent Marcone
Synopsis: A modern day fairytale about a young boy in Ghana who is confronted by a strange spirit animal as he harvests precious bits of copper from a toxic mound of electronic waste.
Narrative Short – Official Selection – February 2020
Bedlam | Singapore | 2020 | 07’
Director: Nor Hisham
Writer: Nor Hisham
Producer: Lim Li Yin
Cast: Ng Lee Huat, Amy Ng Kuan Yeen, Raphael Depari, Tian Dai Thian
Synopsis: A story of a lonely old man.
HERMA | France | 2020 | 29’
Director: Beauron Eric
Writer: Beauron Eric
Producer: Beauron Eric
Cast: Peadar O Baoill, Eoghan Mac, Giolla Bhride
Synopsis: At the edge of the world, four men live on one abandoned island. One morning, a dead man is discovered in a boat. It’s the beginning of a series of catastrophes. The fish is dying, the sea is empty … Seán Beag, the young disciple of Marcus, then seeks to restore the order of things.
Break Street | Australia | 2020 | 06’
Director: Josef Ber
Writer: Josef Ber
Producer: Josef Ber
Synopsis: Childhoods are full of glory stories. Here’s another one.
Short Deeds (Kratki rezi) | Slovenia | 2019 | 31’
Directors: Urban Zorko, Urška Menart, Mitja Mlakar, Kukla, Jure Dostal
Writers: Lara Simona Taufer, Rok Bohinc, Eva Nina Lampič, Vesna Lemaić, Marko Kumer Murč, Simona Hamer
Producers: Marko Kumer – Murč, Mojca Pernat
Cast: Marko Mandić , Katarina Čas, Rok Bohinc , Nina Cijan , Lovro Čuček, Davor Janjić , Doroteja Nadrah, Matija Vastl , Maja Majzelj, Janez Škof , Saša Pavček , Gregor Baković , Primož Pirnat
Synopsis: In the globalised times when everything, including human beings, is seen as a commodity, leaving each other seems to be just another everyday chore. Short Deeds is an omnibus of six different cinematic visions, done by five Slovenian directors, in which human relationships die in funny and unfunny ways. There is a one common witness in each story – a car.
The Flood | Slovenia | 2019 | 15’
Director: Kristijan Krajnčan
Writer: Kristijan Krajnčan
Producers: Katja Lenarčič, Marko Kumer
Cast: Matej Puc, Žigan Krajnčan
Synopsis: A long-absent father and his neglected son set off on a reconciliation trip, heading for the family mountain hut. Although the son longs for his distant father’s appreciation and attention, at the same time he desires to declare his independence and cut loose from all the narrow-mindedness that seems to be passed on from generation to generation. As heavy rains, curiously predicted by the father, suddenly disrupt a sunny day, the two men need to settle their scores before an ominous flood comes upon them.
RUFUS | Poland | 2019 | 19’
Director: Oskar Zakrzewski
Writer: Oskar Zakrzewski
Producers: Karolina Królikowska, Oskar Zakrzewski
Cast: Jakub Sokołowski, Oskar Stoczyński, Wojciech Machnicki, Grzegorz Kowalczyk, Sebastian Figat, Magdalena Kaczmarek, Julia Konarska
Synopsis: Dark comedy about Janek, who wants something more from life. More money, more splendor, more respect. Unfortunately he doesn’t know how to achieve it. He works in a car workshop with his best friend Tomek. Things get complicated when Janek’s to do a “favor” to Mr. Marian – the rich and influential father of his girlfriend.
Pipo and Blind Love | France | 2019 | 12’
Director: Hugo Le Gourrierec
Writer: Hugo Le Gourrierec
Producer: Igal Kohen
Cast: Anatole Zangs, Solange
Synopsis: In a dezhumanized world where emotions are rationed and measured by a gauge, Pipo, a factory worker falls in love with a woman sitting on a bench. He will try anything to attract her attention and seduce her with his own « language ».
Façade – Adrift in a sea of strangers | Canada | 2019 | 06’
Director: Alexandre Richard
Writers: Alexandre Richard, Jean Luc Oicle
Producers: Nicolas Fontaine, Graham Gs, Alexandre Richard
Cast: Charlotte Chabauty, Adrien McElligott
Synopsis: The search for oneself in a deluded wold of ignorance and insecurity.
Love in the Rain | United States | 2019 | 13’
Director: Rajendra Thakurathi
Writer: Rajendra Thakurathi
Producers: Mohit Acharya, Francisco Cantu, Stephen James Thomas
Cast: Vibish Sivakumar, Briana Evigan
Synopsis: A young couple with a history decides their fate on a rainy summer night.
Islander | United States | 2019 | 12’
Director: Derek Pastuszek
Writer: Derek Pastuszek
Cast: Jeff Swisher
Synopsis: The storm took everything… but, now, pieces have begun to wash ashore.
Public Discourse | United Kingdom | 2019 | 12’
Cast: Nik Cage, Alexandra Evans , Isobella Hubbard , Lydia Piechowiak
Log line: Eme and James have conflicting beliefs about the world. Sparks fly when they meet during a night out.
Synopsis: When PHD student James arrives to meet a friend, he’s introduced to the sharp and formidable Esme. They have opposing beliefs about the world which brings them into conflict. Sparks fly as each defends their views. ‘Public Discourse’ explores colliding ideologies and bridging the gap in a culture war between the sexes.
Black Heart, Red Hands | Australia | 2019 | 15’
Director: Russell Southam
Writer: Russell Southam
Producers: Russell Southam, Adam Spinks
Cast: Kurt Bayly, Benjamin W Sullivan, Gemma Dart, Benn Spillane, Kya Stewart, Keely Spedding, Campbell McGillivray, Kashmala Sameer, Albert Goikhman, Caitlin Murphy, Josh Megarrity, Tamaryn Hurly
Synopsis: Set against the stunning backdrop of one of Australia’s World Heritage-listed National Parks; a first-time killer is about to learn what it really takes to pull off the perfect crime.
The Twins | Malaysia | 2020 | 07’
Directors: WKNDPRJCTS, Cru Bannon, Douglas Ho, Yuriz Joe
Writers: WKNDPRJCTS, Cru Bannon, Douglas Ho, Yuriz Joe, Ruby Faye, Tan Mei Ling
Producer: WKNDPRJCTS
Cast: Ruby Faye, Tan Mei Ling, Soo Xu Ze
Synopsis: The greatest love endures the greatest sacrifice. The film revolves around the story of Ah Ma,and her Twins Ah Boy & Ah Girl. Chinese family traditionally prefer boys over girls but often forget the sacrifices made by their daughter. However, with a twist of fate, things change and forever changes the dynamics of this family.
No/Low Budget – Official Selection – February 2020
Domestic Bliss | United States | 2020 | 08’
Director: Brittany Bartley
Writer: Brittany Bartley
Synopsis: Eight days in the life of a stoic couple and their ornery cat.
24 Hours in London | United Kingdom | 2020 | 05’
Director: Pavan Guliani
Synopsis: A vision of London through my eyes and the things that have stood out to me during my 9 years of living here.
Short Comedy – Official Selection – February 2020
Good Ol’ Bernie | France | 2020 | 12’
Directors: Olivier Ducray, Wilfried Méance
Writers: Loic Gaillard, Olivier Ducray, Wilfried Méance
Producers: Olivier Ducray, Wilfried Méance
Cast: Philipppe Du Janerand, Luc Antoie Diquéro, Marie -Christine Orry, Tom Villa
Synopsis: Just retired, Bernie has only one goal left: Win the next regional game of race walking!
Don’t Be A Coward | United States | 2020 | 07’
Director: Lana Marks
Writer: Lana Marks
Producer: Lana Marks
Cast: Lindsay Elston, Carolyn Deskin
Synopsis: A musical about coping with depression…but it’s a comedy
Eye Drops | United States | 2019 | 18’
Director: Michael Suchmann
Writer: Michael Suchmann
Producer: Cami Viollet
Synopsis: Best friends, Benny and Greg sit high in a car, drinking slushees, people watching and discussing their aimless post-college life.
Short Drama – Official Selection – February 2020
Homesick | France | 25’
Director: Koya Kamura
Writer: Koya Kamura
Producer: Rafael Andrea Soatto
Cast: Tasuku Nagaoka, Shouta Ikoma, Yuki Sakurai
Synopsis: Two years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Murai braves danger and wanders through the no-go zone in order to spend time with Jun, his eight-year-old son.
Doll | Hungary | 2019 | 19’
Director: András Schmidt
Writer: András Schmidt
Producer: András Schmidt, Anna Sípos, Peter Fazakas
Cast: Zsuzsanna Rácz, Pallai Mara, Horváth Fruzsina
Synopsis: There’s a group of women who are making a puppet show for their children. They have a director, Orsolya, who tries to teach them how to work together and with the puppet. However working with these women is a little bit difficult, but the question is: why?
Yatharth (As It Is) | India | 2019 | 30’
Director: Sangram Soni
Writer: Sangram Soni
Producer: Satya Rajpurohit
Cast: Vitthal Kale, Rajshri Deshpande
Synopsis: A disillusioned fisherman is trying to restore respect from his son while gambling through a whirlpool of instincts. He journey’s through the Ganeshotsav festival, with a ghost of his past, of witnessing a whale in their ocean.
After the Hunt | Slovenia | 19’
Director: Urška Djukić
Writer: Urška Djukić
Producer: Marina Gumzi
Cast: Nataša Barbara Gračner, Ana Penca, Gojmir Lešnjak, Lučka Počkaj
Synopsis: Silva, a middle – aged woman and an ardent hunter, decides to take her teenage daughter for a first hunt. But the initiating trip doesn’t exactly go as she would have wished. Silva returns home n ot with a wild boar, but with a doubt about her identity.
What Kind Of Day Has It Been? | United States | 2020 | 10’
Director: Elijah Reynolds
Writer: Elijah Reynolds
Producers: Elijah Reynolds, Emman Sadorra, Liv Johnson, Aubrey Pyser
Cast: Aubrey Pyser, Shane Morton, Asia Renee
Synopsis: Three highschool students go through their stressful, but normal day. Everything is totally ordinary, until it’s not.
Home Is Where The House Is | Slovenia | 2019 | 24’
Director: Peter Cerovšek
Writers: Maja Šuša, Peter Cerovšek, Dado Ćosić
Producers: Darej Šömen, Jovan Jelisavčić
Cast: Maja Šuša, Dado Ćosić, Lana Karaklajić, Nina Violić, Deana Lozar Šömen, Darij Šömen
Synopsis: Luna and Luka live in their grandmother’s house, which represents the whole universe to them. Any attempt to make a change is considered as the worst betrayal.
A Boy on His Birthday | United States | 2020 | 03’
Director: Jason Duong
Writers: Jason Duong, Zachary Phillips
Producer: Jason Duong
Cast: Enoch Duong-Paul
Synopsis: A boy wakes up on his birthday and despite being the only one awake, he is determined eat his cupcake.
Moschaisk | Germany | 2019 | 12’
Directors: Jonathan L. Williams, Ludwig Bachmann, Adrian Martin
Writer: Jonathan L. Williams
Producer: Adrian Martin
Cast: Max Claus, MArtin Schöndorfer
Synopsis: The two brothers Konrad and Hermann are glad that they do not have to participate in the further advance of their unit. But soon the two find themselves alone in their position and have to fend off an attack by Soviet soldiers. Konrad finally has to carry his wounded brother through no man’s land and has to make a difficult decision.
Break Off | 2020 | 19’
Director: Öykü Orhan
Writer: Öykü Orhan
Producer: Öykü Orhan
Cast: Reyhan Özdilek , Cahit AK, Azra AK, Ustabaşı Hasan , Ezgi Sözmen , Lokanta Görevlisi
Synopsis: Zeliha, mother of two children, is a poor laborer who works in a steel soucepan factory. One day, she is fired as an unexpected moment. While she is attempting to find new job, she also searchs for solution in order to prevent children noticing this situation. A solution created by her, shows deadlock condition as a result of poverty.
Ave Maria | India | 2019 | 25’
Director: Vanita Omung Kumar
Writer: Vanita Omung Kumar
Producers: Omung Kumar B, Deepak Dhar, Rishi Negi
Cast: Shivika Rishi, Annup Sonii, Lin Laishram, Nitinn R Miranni
Synopsis: ‘Ave Maria’ centres around a Christian family in Goa. It deals with Child Abuse. Paul is in his mid thirties, father to Maria who is an 8 year old kid with an issue. She is an intovert and does not like to mingle, lives in her own little world… her space. Paul is a concerned father, who time and again tries to brace the issue regarding Maria with his wife Susan who is a caring mom, but actually in a state of denial regarding her daughters behaviour who tends to be on the defensive where Maria’s silence is concerned… she is a very protective mom. Maria finds solace and a true friend, in a ventriloquist dummy gifted to her by her mother, and names her ‘Mary’. Mary becomes Maria’s voice. Paul finds this behaviour abnormal and expresses his concern as he wants his daughter to be just a normal happy kid. Their fears are realised when Maria decides to confront her demons at her birthday party when she with the help of Mary her dummy, discloses that she has been sexually abused by her Uncle John, Paul’s brother.
Possibility | Ukraine | 2020 | 12’
Director: Volodymyr Kliuiev
Writer: Mikael Karapetian
Producer: Denis Yanchukov
Cast: Oleh Sokolovsky, Tania Zlova
Synopsis: Ukrainian philosophical-psychological drama with elements of science fiction, named Possibility. The story of a young programmer, dreamer, who desperately sought to reach an unprecedented goal – the creation of artificial intelligence, and now is ready to have a long-awaited and decisive conversation that can permanently complete his efforts.
Black Heart, Red Hands | Australia | 2019 | 15’
Director: Russell Southam
Writer: Russell Southam
Producers: Russell Southam, Adam Spinks
Cast: Kurt Bayly, Benjamin W Sullivan, Gemma Dart, Benn Spillane, Kya Stewart, Keely Spedding, Campbell McGillivray, Kashmala Sameer, Albert Goikhman, Caitlin Murphy, Josh Megarrity, Tamaryn Hurly
Synopsis: Set against the stunning backdrop of one of Australia’s World Heritage-listed National Parks; a first-time killer is about to learn what it really takes to pull off the perfect crime.
The Twins | Malaysia | 2020 | 07’
Directors: WKNDPRJCTS, Cru Bannon, Douglas Ho, Yuriz Joe
Writers: WKNDPRJCTS, Cru Bannon, Douglas Ho, Yuriz Joe, Ruby Faye, Tan Mei Ling
Producer: WKNDPRJCTS
Cast: Ruby Faye, Tan Mei Ling, Soo Xu Ze
Synopsis: The greatest love endures the greatest sacrifice. The film revolves around the story of Ah Ma,and her Twins Ah Boy & Ah Girl. Chinese family traditionally prefer boys over girls but often forget the sacrifices made by their daughter. However, with a twist of fate, things change and forever changes the dynamics of this family.
Student Short – Official Selection – February 2020
Tension | Czech Republic | 2019 | 26’
Director: Michal Starý
Writer: Michal Starý
Producer: Kristýna Šlemínová
Cast: Lukáš Král, Tomáš Dianiška, Jitka Ježková, Cyril Drozda, Dana Černá, Jan Maléř
Synopsis: Max Varga runs a private firm which deals in damaging the reputation of individuals ordered by clients. However, during an operation, his assigned target vanishes. A desperate fight against time ensues, in which he can’t afford to disappoint his client Lola Lieberman, at the same time getting caught up in a dispute with his collegue Tom Karloff. The film is about the moral downfall of a person who becomes consumed by th evil he himself created. It draws on conventions of film noir both thematically and stylishtically, but it’s creative purpose were familiar visual elements of classical film noir (such as low-key lighting and dutch angles) with untraditional ones, for example the use of hand-held camera or electronic music.
A Natural Code | United Kingdom | 2019 | 10’
Director: Cristina Ceuca
Writers: Natasha Ellison, Cristina Ceuca
Producer: Cristina Ceuca
Cast: Natasha Ellison, Dr Philip Ball, Prof Philip Maini, Irthisham Zareer (MWSRP)
Synopsis: This is a short wildlife documentary about the fascinating Turing patterns in nature and how they may help endangered species around the world. The first half of the film introduces three characters – a science writer, Philip Ball and two mathematicians, Natasha Ellison and Philip Maini. They will take us on a quest to explain who Alan Turing was and what is his connection with patterns in nature. Alan Turing was able to explain, using two mathematical equations, how the patterns arise in nature, from zebra stripes and leopard spots to landscapes and even animal movements. This is quintessential for the story, as we will later show how this can help endangered species. The second part of the film is showing how these patterns can help with conservation. The main example for this will be the beautiful patterns of a whale shark, as their spot point configuration forms a Turing pattern. The last person introduced will be Iru, the Lead Field Coordinator of the Maldives Whale Shark Research. Through her, viewers will discover how the team can identify individual whale sharks by their unique spots on their skin. Natasha Ellison specialises in models which describe ecological processes. This means she can describe the patterns formed by animal movements, using Turing’s pattern formation theory. She will explain to the viewers that the patterns can also exist in the way the animals use their landscape. Where animal coat patterns are created by chemical reactions, animal movement patterns are created by behaviours, such as foraging for food or avoiding predators. Natasha will link then the animal movement theory with the whale shark movement. This film will take viewers on a fascinating journey, from the secret world of mathematical ecology to incredible Turing patterns in nature and beautiful underwater scenes.
When I’m at home | Serbia | 2019 | 16’
Director: Ivana
Writer: Melina
Producer: Tijana
Cast: Milica
Synopsis: Marija is coming back home to face her childhood trauma.
HAYAT – LIFE | Germany | 2019 | 30’
Director: Suli Kurban
Writer: Suli Kurban
Producers: Bettina Timm, Alexander Riedl
Cast: Süheyla Ünlü, Chinar Mahmadan, Eren Karadag, Slim Carthage, Yasemin Karabazar
Synopsis: Hayat means “Life“. She is in her early twenties and still hanging out in the playgrounds of Neuperlach. She seems somewhat lost, not having arrived anywhere yet. But gradually she starts to fight her way out of this fog and this sense of meaninglessness. Her first boxing fight does not just happen in the streets like before, no, it is a proper boxing match as part of a tournament. Will she also pass the test for secondary school? Mom would be most pleased if she married her favourite. But would that be the best thing for her? A documentary glimpse of a young life.
ROYAL BLUE | Austria | 2018 | 15’
Director: Dinko Draganovic
Writer: Dinko Draganovic
Producers: Dinko Draganovic, Sinisa Vidovic
Cast: Rubina Mia Jungwirth, Ljubisa Lupo Grujcic
Synopsis: On his way to take his daughter to gymnastics, a gambling addict stops at a betting shop, leaving the 9-year-old girl in the car. When he returns, he realizes nothing will ever be the same again.
ALASKA. LOST FACE | Russian Federation | 2020 | 20’
Director: Alexey Matveev
Writer: Alexey Matveev (based on the novel by Jack London)
Producer: Alexey Matveev
Synopsis: Subyenkov, a fur miner, has risen through the ranks, starting as an idealist and ending up as a criminal thrown by fate into the lands of Alaska. And now he sits tied up in natives’ captivity. And next to him, a “Big Ivan” is twisting with pain, a man he thought was a man without nerves. Subyenkov finds a way out for himself, telling the Indian leader about a miraculous remedy that will simply prevent him from dying. The experience of trading with the Indians helps him get the chief into his game. So what’s he up to?
Chick Flicks | United States | 2019 | 20’
Director: Tatiana Jorio
Synopsis: Chick Flicks is a short documentary that explores the experience of women-identifying film students as they navigate a very white male dominated industry, the me-too movement, racism, industry sexism and a film school that perpetuates it all.
Mailman | Canada | 2020 | 12’
Director: Elmo Liao
Writer: Bernardus Bernard
Producer: Una Ching
Cast: Arvin Shah, Raven Light, Lincoln Hall, Richard Rowsell
Synopsis: A timid, judgmental mailman, Tim, delivers envelopes from one mailbox to the other. Silently, he observes each recipient and deduce their ordeal through the kind of mail they receive. He assigns each of them as either being the recipient of fortune or misfortune, though he feels that he’s neither since he’s the one who delivers the mail. He spends most his income on lottery tickets due to his belief in luck. Other than being a mailman, Tim delivers drugs for Mrs. Smith, with whom Tim’s father owed debts to. Tim sees Jesse, Mrs. Smith’s son, struggling with basic mathematics. Tim helps Jesse with the basics, and he grows fond of Jesse. He even helps Jesse to fix up the broken Walkies from Jesse’s long-gone father. Tim’s denial of his misfortune slowly dissipates as he realizes he shared the same childhood as what Jesse’s experiencing right now which makes Tim sympathizes for Jesse. Mrs. Smith soon finds out and forbids Tim to associate with her son. Tim feels at peace knowing that Jesse’s going to try his hardest despite not being able to meet with him anymore and he finally realize that human being can create their own luck by changing fate, so he decides to leave a surprise to little Jesse.
Endless Dream | China | 2019 | 09’
Director: Xinyao Li
Writer: Xinyao Li
Producer: Xinyao Li
Cast: Yishan Wu, Shuge Zhao, Tongyu Zhang, Huanle Lin, Xiaochun Ding
Synopsis: The title of the short film is Endless Dream.A young woman,Lin,goes to see the doctor.When the psychologist does hypnotherapy for Lin,she finds Lin has the scar that she accidentally kills the neighborhood boy in childhood.Lin has an argument with the psychologist after she wakes up,and she kills the doctor unexpectedly.Then Lin is in a coma and she has a dream.In this dream,she wakes up again and does not kill the doctor,who is still treating her.However,when Lin really wakes up,what is the truth that she sees……?
WHEN WE OPEN THE GATES OF THE SKY | Russian Federation | 2019 | 07’
Director: Pavel Bykovchenko
Writer: Aydar Khismatullin
Producer: Pavel Bykovchenko
Synopsis: An inquisitive boy asks his grandfather about a man whose monument he diligently cares for. Who is this man?
Shimmery | Taiwan | 2018 | 04’
Director: TzuYi Yang
Synopsis: Shimmery is a surreal, narrative animation whose style combines 3D and 2D graphic elements. A gentle beast searches for light in a dark forest taking the audience on an exploration of addiction at its essence.
Honeyheart | United States | 2019 | 06’
Director: Alice Langlois
Synopsis: Nestled in her cozy tree trunk home, a bird is going about her day when a wild honeybee flies into her house. The small but startling encounter unfolds into an intense, tumultuous journey of anxiety, fear, and self-acceptance.
Faust | Poland | 2019 | 07’
Director: Marianna Atłas
Writer: Marianna Atłas
Producer: Marianna Atłas
Cast: Tomasz Górecki
Synopsis: “Faust” (2019) – graduation short film created in technique of stop-motion/doll/2D animation with handmade dolls and scenography. It’s my interpretation of the legend of Faust, based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s “Faust”, where an alchemist trying to find a meaning of life signs a deal with the devil. Animation refers to German Expressionism movement.
Short Fantasy/Sci-Fi – Official Selection – February 2020
Possibility | Ukraine | 2020 | 12’
Director: Volodymyr Kliuiev
Writer: Mikael Karapetian
Producer: Denis Yanchukov
Cast: Oleh Sokolovsky, Tania Zlova
Synopsis: Ukrainian philosophical-psychological drama with elements of science fiction, named Possibility. The story of a young programmer, dreamer, who desperately sought to reach an unprecedented goal – the creation of artificial intelligence, and now is ready to have a long-awaited and decisive conversation that can permanently complete his efforts.
CLOSED | Republic of Korea | 2019 | 21’
Director: YUN Sungwoo
Writer: SEO Dongsu
Producers: KWON Hoyoung, KIM Taekwan
Cast: NA Yooha, SHIN Soi , PARK Minjeong, LIM Semi
Synopsis: Four girls hid in the basement to survive the war, not knowing what’s going on and disconnected from outside world.
Color of the eyes | France | 2019 | 10’
Director: Geoffroy Virgery
Writer: Guillaume Virgery
Producer: Geoffroy Virgery
Cast: Floriane Andersen, Louis Bernard
Synopsis: During nine months, a couple will observe by their windows all the stages of pregnancy, wondering : which color will be their baby’s eyes ?
Tender is the Kiss | United States | 2020 | 15’
Director: Longwei Deng
Writer: Longwei Deng
Producers: Elaine Wong, Jessica Q Yang, Cindy Wu
Cast: Travis Hammer, Chloe Hurst, Tony Amendola, George Tsai
Synopsis: Will he find the mysterious woman who might be the only one to prove his innocence?
Stop Motion/Time Lapse – Official Selection – February 2020
God has already gone ahead (Gott ist schon weg) | Germany | 2018 | 10’
Director: PETER BÖVING
Cast: REINER SCHÖNE
Synopsis: The Egyptian geese marches through the ages: From the bird´s perspective, a centuries-long settlement history is told. While the water level in the pond continues to fall, the inhabitants have the water up the neck. In the end, nothing stays as it was, only the goose suspects nothing bad.
Ailin on the moon | Argentina | 2018 | 05’
Director: Claudia Ruiz
Writers: Claudia Ruiz, Malena Martinez
Producer: El molinete Animación
Synopsis: Work, do the shopping, cooking, cleaning, ironing, taking care of Ailín: that is the routine of Vilma, mother of 40 years, overwhelmed by fatigue and skin intolerance. Ailín (4), just looking to play and demand the attention of a restless girl, one day causes the emotional outbreak of the mother. The routine that led them away must be broken to meet again.
Trailer – Official Selection – February 2020
O T O S – Trailer #1 | Australia | 01’
Director: Kevin Moussaoui
Writer: Kevin Moussaoui
Producers: Kevin Moussaoui, Camilo Ruiz
Cast: Alecsandro Gianonne, Byron J. Brochmann
Synopsis: In the small town of OTOS on the coast, people believe strongly on one thing: their place is the limit of our planet and beyond the ocean, there is nothing! But one of them has a lot of questions; is there something on the other side? Why do people say there is nothing? This person is a little boy, and he will do everything to know the truth.
MANG XIA | China | 2019 | 01’
Director: Shi Lei
Synopsis: The story is adapted from a legendary novel of the Tang dynasty. During the reign of Zhenyuan, 23 lang caughts two fish demons but let it escape accidentally. Several years later, Xie Xiao’e, 14 years old, sailed with her family and relatives. On the way they met the fish monster into the fantasy bandits, all were killed but Xiao’e, she was the only one who escaped from the river with serious injuries. Xiao’e was coma and drifting for several days, a fisherman rescued her and sent her to the Taoist temple. When Xiao’e was coma, she dreamed of her father and husband, who told her a 12-word puzzle about the killer. She swore revenge. She learned to spell from the old priest during her healing at the Taoist temple. After coming down the mountain, she experienced all kinds of difficulties before finding the answer to the 12-word puzzle. She finally met 23 lang, solve the puzzle and successfully revenged.