Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action 1

Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

How do you reconnect with the world when loss seems to encompass everything? Through taste, touch, sound—or through memory? In a world of constant change, young filmmakers explore the anchors that tether them to physical reality: their own memories, those of their communities, and those of their families. The 2025 New Talents, hailing from various continents, grapple with the meanings of adulthood and belonging in unique ways. Their work reveals a broad palette of techniques and approaches, from sci-fi to documentary and beyond. Editing becomes a form of direction. They weave in magical realism, found footage, folklore, and restorations of past events to explore the what-ifs of human experience. With razor-sharp focus, these films navigate the challenges of life, telling stories that make you ache and smile — and sometimes both at once.

Screenings

Hall 2 Kino Artis
Screening051717 / Shorts New Talents võistlusprogramm: lühifilm 1
Q&A duration
Screening duration

Competition presented by:

Films

International premiere

Centre of The Spiral

Local title
Spiraali keskmes
Original title
Spirāles centrs
Director
Dāvis Gauja
Country
Latvia
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

The carelessness of summer residents, relentless sun, bare skin, water, and blood. Sudden injury of Kiril's girlfriend rips the temporal and spatial boundaries in his hazy consciousness. Struggling to find a way and help his girlfriend, he tries to distinguish the harsh reality from the acid dream, where his parents' country house still reigns in peace, surrounded by closest friends enjoying tranquil summer days.

Director
Dāvis Gauja
Runtime
Language
Latvian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

At the Edge of the Volcano

Local title
Vulkaani serval
Original title
Al Borde del Volcán
Director
Jorge Granados Ross
Country
France, Mexico
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

Two middle-aged couples travel together to a remote island. As bad news arrive from inland, the world around them begins to collapse and their relationships will soon follow suit.

Director
Jorge Granados Ross
Runtime
Language
Spanish
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Dog and Wolf

Local title
Koer ja hunt
Original title
Pes a vlk
Director
Terézia Halamová
Country
Czechia
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

Rudo is a 25-year-old stripper who has chosen to embrace a life of perpetual partying and sleep deprivation. As he navigates through the chaotic nightlife fueled by drugs and dance, memories of his ex-girlfriend Misha haunt him, reminding him of broken promises and lost connections.

Director
Terézia Halamová
Runtime
Language
Czech
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere, Estonian premiere

Glitter Kiss

Local title
Sädelev suudlus
Original title
Glitter Kiss
Director
Augustė Gerikaitė
Country
Lithuania
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

After discovering a brutally beaten drag queen Klaudijus, in his apartment building, homophobe Rolandas reluctantly takes him to the hospital and becomes his first response. As the police investigate and Klaudijus’ life hangs in the balance, Rolandas is forced to rethink his beliefs.

Director
Augustė Gerikaitė
Runtime
Language
Lithuanian
Subtitles
English