What place remains for the little people in the maelstrom of large systems, great achievements, and gigantic construction projects? Will their voices demanding justice be heard, or will they turn against themselves? A catastrophe is looming, whether in the form of excessive media, invasive species, or computer modulation. What choice does a person have? Will she/he be able to argue against the totality of language and discourse, or will
she/he have no choice but to comply? And this is at a time when governments are convincing us and themselves that everything is fine. Is another revolution just the next attempt to alienate and kill the father figure? Just remember that your job is the most important thing, and don’t forget to watch Fight Club.
Relax… What Is Love When You
Wheel and Dust
21 min | China
Peng Haitao
At the end of October 2022, Wuhan once again entered a state of lockdown due to the pandemic. In the bustling district of Hankou, Wuhan, tow truck drivers navigated through narrow gaps between steel barricades, trying to sustain their livelihoods during this difficult period. As the lockdown measures intensified, the frustration among the public was ignited by a devastating fire in Xinjiang, leading people to take to the streets and voice themselves.
Stand up, sit down
15 min | Sweden
Babak Parham
Without his knowledge, Saman gets his colleague fired. He and his two other coworkers now face a dilemma. Either they live by their principles and challenge the decision, or they act professionally while also distancing themselves from the situation. ‘Stand Up, Sit Down’ is about the true value of one’s self-image and the price we’re willing to pay to uphold it.
Fotorevolte
6 min | Germany
Jule Körperich
Fotorevolte tells of the moment when the world’s available storage capacity is exhausted. All digitally stored photographs and films come to life. People are displaced from their reality by photos of sights and celebrities, logos and film characters. A bizarre competition unfolds between cleaning up and the manifestation of ever new images, until the boundary between the real and virtual world turns completely blurred. When finally the Internet overflows, the world sinks into a mishmash of pixels.
Dream Code
4 min | US
Narottama Panitz
Dream Code» is a pixel art autobiography that delves deep into the life and inspirations of filmmaker Narottama Panitz. This featurette merges the aesthetic and narrative depth of classic adventure games with contemporary storytelling, exploring the blurred lines between reality and simulation. As viewers traverse through the visual and thematic layers of «Dream Code,» they encounter a narrative that sets the stage for Panitz’s larger project, «The Entropy Code.» The piece not only reflects on personal history but also engages with broader existential themes, inviting audiences to ponder their own realities as they witness the unfolding of a simulated universe.
Invasive Species
6 min | Finland
Risto-Pekka Blom
Invasive species are a threat to biodiversity, including all other invasive species. Note: The film includes a musical performance by an extremely harmful invasive species.
Idyll
10 min | Estonia
Rao Heidmets
War must be fought long before it reaches your backyard. And once he’s there, pulling the curtains won’t help anymore.
Trying to speak yet deciding not to
3 min | US
Qingyu Huang
This short film discusses the inability of language and symbols to reach the ambiguous nature of thoughts.
Comply
3 min | US
Padrick Sean Ritch
Comply is a satire of our relationship with mass communication in a post-truth era. Presented through a composite blend of found footage and emulsion painting, the film delves into the dizzying speed at which news breaks, distorts, and dissipates, challenging viewers to confront how we construct narratives to fit our beliefs and ideology.
Fish Chicken UFO
3 min | Romania
Nadia Barbu
An unconventional tribute to the filmmaker’s late father.
Dad went to the nightclub
3 min | China
Tie Yan
She always thought that her father must or maybe have loved her, or at least loved this family. So she couldn’t understand why such a thing would happen to them, in the always silent living room , bedroom and the TV that was often left on.
Arbeit Ist Heilig — Sebastian Der Saubere
4 min | Germany
Alexandra Sieber
Music video, mocumentary.
What Is Love When You
5 min | Canada
Finn Simard
What is love When You is an experimental short film produced and scored by Finn Simard. The film explores traditional ecological knowledge and its relationship to colonialism, land, and genocide.