The Beginning of Fire(2023)

Annie: Origins(en)

AFTERWORLD(en)

In a dystopian future where human genetics have evolved, a new breed of individuals—Variants—possess extraordinary abilities. However, the world’s leaders deem them a threat, unleashing an elite militia known as the Dark Hunters to hunt them down. Amidst this chaos, two sisters, Eve and Mia Levison, find themselves at the center of a brutal war for survival. Captured by the ruthless Grand Huntress, Eve is held prisoner while Mia, a powerful Variant, launches a daring assault to rescue her. As Mia fights her way through the heavily fortified Sector Thirteen, Eve struggles against her captors, discovering the deep-seated hatred fueling Cleo’s crusade.

Vincent(en)

Young Vincent Malloy dreams of being just like Vincent Price and loses himself in macabre daydreams that annoy his mother.

Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom(en)

Professor Owl gives a lecture on the evolution of Western musical instruments, starting with the advent of rudimentary brass, woodwind, string and percussion instruments by ancient cave dwellers at the dawn of history.

Flares(en)

After a near-death experience, a person floats in a mysterious space, gradually being reborn by reconnecting with the sensations of their body.

Rita and Crocodile(da)

Rita is a small and very determined girl who has a very hungry friend, Crocodile, who lives in the bathtub. Most probably, Crocodile only exists in Rita's imagination, but this is Rita's world and Crocodile is a real part of it.

Singular(en)

In an America where everyone has superpowers, Andy, the only kid who doesn't have one, struggles to escape a group of bullies led by Sofia, who just wants to make Andy's life more miserable than it already is. But what begins as an ordinary 'everyday' beating ends up spiraling out of control, putting our hero in a life-or-death situation where courage, leadership and sacrifice will guide Andy -- and Sofia -- to discover the true meaning of "being special."

Sakuhin(xx)

Yumi Shima's animated short film is an experiment with geometric objects.

On the Beautiful Blue Danube(pl)

Animation with coloured salt by Aleksandra Korejwo. Music by Johann Strauss performed by the Strauss Festival Orchestra.

The Charm of the Wheels(pl)

A swarm of locusts teases a herd of horses. A four-wheeled vehicle drives into the herd. It pulls behind its riders, the horses, and the insects. The gallop is more and more dynamic, gravediggers prepare coffins for crazy drivers.

Demi-Goddesses(xx)

The second essay about still dominant dark aspects of our modern society. It is conceived as a surreal anti-patriarchal thought experiment and raises important questions about gender, power, and social change, prompting us to reflect on how historical patterns of discrimination and oppression might be either repeated or overcome in a reversed gendered world. It challenges the viewer to confront their own assumptions and biases, and to consider the possibilities of a more equitable society.

Chromophobia(fr)

This animated coming-of-age story explores the familial, societal, and religious challenges a boy faces because of his sexual orientation.

Exsultate Jubilate Alleluja(pl)

A film miniature to classical music inspired by the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Praise for the joy of life, synchronously set to the vocalization of Mozart's piece.

Downhill(pl)

Penis-shaped men make a joint attempt to push an old carriage down the hill. They manage to remove all the wheels of the carriage, one by one. Then, collectively, they lift the wheelless vehicle and carry it down. The year of the film's production – 1979 suggests that the director wanted to mock the decline of real socialism. The system was weakened by the political and economic crisis. The collective effort of the men was a reference to the growing opposition.

Slaughterbots(en)

A UC Berkeley computer science professor helped to create a video that imagined a world where nuclear weapons were replaced by swarms of autonomous tiny drones that could kill half a city and are virtually unstoppable. Stuart Russell, the professor, said these drones are already a reality.

Minuet(en)

An essay in colour harmonics and visual overtones. Conceived and produced as part of the Images Film Festival's Minute Movies.

Cameras Take Five(en)

The enduring romance of the lines. A visual exploration of Dave Brubeck's jazz classic "Take Five".

Barcode III.0(en)

A unique journey across a topography created entirely from a form of digital light and shadow—a bristling terrain of poles bending the light in every direction. This film is the remake of Barcode, an abstract road-movie about light and shadows.

Faith(ko)

A short film about an armed man in a secret location.

Donks(en)

An exploration of ocean plastic, avatars and adaptive bottom feeders. The musical!