Shorts 12+: Roles, Rituals, Riddles

This programme explores the diverse aspects of growing up. These shorts question how social roles and daily rituals, but also the riddles that life poses, exert their influence on identity and perspectives. Ana Wa Yak / Ana Wa Yak Sweden 2024, 15 min., swed., arab. ov, engl. ov, german overdub, 12 years and older R: Hani Al Abras B: Hani Al Abras D: Sodad Iskander, Tomas Samir, Alamin Anwar P: Liliana Garmvild, Anna Magnusson, HDK-Valand German Premiere “You’re my father” Haidar reminds Ismael while they play cards during breakfast. Ismael is a drinker. He loves his son, but one cannot help but ask who is caring for whom. When Haidar openly confronts his father about the older man’s addiction, their dynamic reaches a tipping point. Densely packed and without proselytising, Hani Al Abras tells a coming-of-age tale about growing up amidst harsh realities. Smerteterskel / Warrior Heart Norway 2024, 18 min., norw. ov, engl. ov, german overdub, 12 years and older R: Marianne Ulrichsen K: Marianne Bakke D: Eveline Gullbrandson Leland, Hedda Andreassen, Morten Svartveit, Helga Guren, Kim Sørensen, Liv Randi Reistad P: Mona Johanne Hoel, Freedom From Fear Films Twelve-year-old Vilja is afraid of pain. During wrestling sessions at the sports club, she often just lies down on the mat and gives up. At home, she deals with her parents’ separation by retreating completely into herself. Of all people, it is her new stepsister who pulls Vilja out of her numbness and encourages her to face her vulnerability and use her feelings as a source of power that she can draw on in a fight. Ta, Kuri, Žino / The One Who Knows Lithuania, FR 2024, 12 min., no dialogue, 12 years and older R: Eglė Davidavičė P: Agnė Adomėnė, Delphine Schmit, Art Shot, tripode W: Shortcuts A girl at the pool is embarrassed about the birthmark on her leg. She compares her body to the seemingly flawless bodies of other swimmers. Delicate, flowing, animated sketches allow us to feel the vulnerability of the girl hiding from the stares of other people. Not until she confronts her insecurity does she achieve a new sense of self. Porzellan / Porcelain Germany 2024, 16 min., germ. ov, engl. ov, 12 years and older R: Annika Birgel B: Annika Birgel, Rudolf Fitzgerald Leonard K: Lydia Richter D: Nell Marie Haack (Fina), Live Heleen Haack (Elisabeth), Niklas Leifert (Vater) P: Rudolf Fitzgerald Leonard, Problemkind Filmproduktion W: interfilm Berlin Management V: interfilm Berlin Management On a remote marsh island, a pre-wedding party is underway. Ten-year-old Fina watches the primitive rituals with growing discomfort as the men fill themselves and the bride with alcohol and smash porcelain. Fina, who misses her absent mother, is increasingly losing her footing and threatens to break into pieces as well. But she finds refuge and comfort in her older sister. Þið kannist við... / Krampuss Iceland 2023, 8 min., isl. ov, engl. ov, german overdub, 12 years and older R: Guðni Líndal Benediktsson B: Guðni Líndal Benediktsson, Ævar Þór Benediktsson K: Gunnar Auðunn Jóhannsson D: Katla María Ómarsdóttir (Katla), Anja Sæberg (Eygló), Aðalbjörg Árnadóttir (Margrét), Árni Pétur Guðjónsson (Aron), Ævar Þór Benediktsson (Onkel Tóti) P: Arnar Benjamín Kristjánsson, Fenrir Films, Zik Zak Filmworks, La Paz Films According to an Icelandic legend, the Christmas cat is the gluttonous enforcer of social norms. That’s why it’s bad for her family that Katla, the youngest daughter, only wished for books and not new clothes. A dark horror-comedy about the pressure to conform, social anxiety, and old traditions in a new guise. Liv / Liv Sweden 2024, 10 min., schw. ov, engl. ov, german overdub, 12 years and older R: Hillevi Gustafson K: Camilla Topuntoli D: Sigrid Johnson (Olivia), Elsa Öhrn (Maja) P: Amanda Romare, Adina Romare, Bloody Brilliant Productions AB It’s the night before the big day: Olivia’s entrance into secondary school. Almost desperately insecure, she does everything she can so that she’ll fit into her new world. She dyes her hair, shaves her legs, and tries on outfits, attitudes, and a new name. Vulnerable yet determined, Olivia transforms into Liv.