Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action 2 / 2020

Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2020
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

In a year where it has felt like time has stood still, PÖFF Shorts looks to the future with the New Talents Competition - a category exclusive to student films, presenting the next generation of filmmaking talent and the burgeoning voices of tomorrow.

From relationship dramas to body horrors; dystopian futures to mundane work lives; anger, heartbreak and injustice to humour, beauty and connection.

The programmes on offer are indeed eclectic, but the films that make them all share the trait of being singular, bold stories, told with personality, convention-challenging vigour and a deep sense of humanity coarsing through their veins.

Whilst the world of cinema currently fights daily battles to ensure its survival, these programmes celebrate the work of emerging filmmakers, and hopefully act as a remedy, a reminder and a resounding affirmation that we all have plenty to look forward to.

There's still fight left in us yet.

Malaika Kegode, Varun Raman, Iris Dosen and Lia Katsiantridou

Competition presented by:

Films

Baltic premiere

The Audition

Local title
Prooviesinemine
Original title
Das Probespiel
Director
Guy Lichtenstein
Country
Austria
Year
2019

Even though she is exceptionally talented, Sarah is still stuck performing at small events. Today she is performing at the wedding of her ex, Jurgen. The former couple tries to stay out of each other’s way but old memories and sacrifices emerge anyway. Bravely Sarah strokes her bow over the strings, maybe she can finally find closure to the story, while around her a wedding is being celebrated.

Director
Guy Lichtenstein
Runtime
Language
German, French
Subtitles
English

World premiere

Light Fluctuations

Local title
Kerge lainetus
Director
Egor Voronin
Country
Russian Federation
Year
2020

Lena has the happiest day today – she is getting married! But the mood in the limousine, in which the newlyweds rush to a banquet, is disturbed by an accident: a limo knocks a person down.

Director
Egor Voronin
Runtime
Language
Russian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Broken Roots

Local title
Katkised juured
Original title
Grietas
Director
Alberto Gross
Country
Spain
Year
2019

A family breaks apart. The day Marcos and his little brother have to choose whom of their parents they want to live with, Marcos will try to convince Sergio to go with their Dad.

Director
Alberto Gross
Runtime
Language
Spanish
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

The Pubic Hair

Local title
Häbemekarvad
Original title
Das Schamhaar
Director
Carolin Glomp
Country
Germany
Year
2020

A businessman suspects his girlfriend of having an affair, after returning from a trip and finding a stranger's pubic hair on their sofa. A discussion between the couple starts to get more and more intense until they find themselves in a situation neither of them has seen coming.

Director
Carolin Glomp
Runtime
Language
German
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

They Won't Last

Local title
Nad ei jää kokku
Director
Portlynn Tagavi
Country
USA
Year
2019

After attending their friends' perfect wedding, Christine is forced to consider the future of her own relationship when her hopeless romantic boyfriend Alex proposes. When Christine is unable to say yes, Alex makes it worse by giving her an ultimatum: either get engaged or break up right now.

Director
Portlynn Tagavi
Runtime
Language
English
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