Austria/Germany 2007-2009, 3 min, 35 mm
Director: Florian Wrobel
A subtly ironic play on expectations and a small homage to Hong Kong cinema: an Asian woman dances ostentatiously in front of the camera, the music suggests drama. Florian Wrobel’s work is found footage in a double literal sense: firstly the found film material, secondly the finding of a work believed lost. And the scratches extend through the cinemascope-image like black furrows. A sight for sore eyes.

France 2009, 16 min, 35 mm
Directors/Screenwriters: H5 (François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy, Ludovic Houplain) | Producer: Nicolas Schmerkin | Executive producers: Stéphane Kooshmanian (Addict), Maurice Prost (Mikros), Nicolas Schmerkin (Autour de Minuit) | Associate producer: Sandrine Demonte | Editors: Sam Danesi, Stephen Berger | Original music: Human Worldwide
The short that was already viewed as a cult film in France long before its Oscar win, not least because of its celebrated narrator, stands out due to its basic idea, which can practically only be realised in the animation department. All players and objects in this action-crime and Armageddon-parody appear as logos of internationally well-known brands. A fantastic persiflage on Hollywood and the US consumer-culture.

Germany 1995, 7 min
Director: Kirsten Winter | Music: Elena Kats-Cherin
An abstract insight into the (working) life of the pianist Elena Kats-Cherin, with one of her own pieces for orchestra and electronic sounds as the foundation. Kirsten Winter allowed herself to be inspired by the music and created a memorable interpretation of impressionist forms and colours in oils and photos. A multiple prize-winning work that is also meant as a reference to this year’s focus on “Film Dance Rhythm”.

UK 2009, 19 min
Director/Screenwriter: Paul Wright | Production: Rhianna Andrews | Editing: Maya Maffioli | Cinematographer: Benjamin Kraun | Sound: Gunnar Ãskarsson | Music: Hector MacInnes, Gunnar Ãskarsson | Cast: Michael Smiley, Kate Dickie, Paul Thomas Hickey
The intimate portrait of tragic moments in life, a desperate inner journey against the backdrop of the isolated landscape of the Scottish Highlands: with turbulent and vulnerable images that send cold chills down one’s spine, Paul Wright tells the story of a man who must come to terms with his wife’s death. This outstanding film was awarded the Golden Leopard at Locarno.

Sweden 2009, 10 min, 35 mm
Director/Screenwriter/Editing: Ruben Östlund | Producers: Marie Kjellson, Erik Hemmendorff | Cinematographer: Marius Dybwad Brandrud | Cast: Henrik Vikman, Lars Melin, Bahador Foladi, Ramtin Parvaneh
 “Ocean’s Eleven” is different: the reconstruction of a failed bank robbery, involving 96 actors and filmed from one single camera position using no cuts whatsoever – as if from the unswervingly quiet and investigative view point of a CCTV camera. Ruben Östlund’s witty and exactly executed real-time-study revises the action-filled cinema image of the cool robber. The film was awarded the Golden Bear at the Berlinale Shorts 2010.

France 2001, 6 min
Directors: Daniel Wiroth, Lionel Hoche
Two men in an apartment, movements and touches, games and dependency. After its beginnings as a commissioned work for the series of six films “One Dance, One Song”, Daniel Wiroth’s stop-motion animation quickly developed a life of its own. The sizzling and tender dance film, choreographed by Lionel Hoche, is considered a modern classic – an inspiring and multiple prize-winning masterpiece.