Shorts @ PÖFF

Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action 5

Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

Some people take the term ‘New Talents’ to indicate a certain lack of experience and competence. That the movies in the New Talents Live Action competition are somehow less refined and polished than others. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those in the know are aware that the term ‘New Talents’ means films with a freshness of vision, a precocious grasp of the language of cinema and a bold authorial voice which will resonate throughout the realms of the film industry over the years to come.

The filmmakers here explore many facets of the modern age – amongst them parenthood, the environment and capitalism – and do so in a way that reminds us of the tremendous power of short films. That despite relatively short running times, they tell us so much about human nature and the state of the world in which we live today.

With all the filmmakers in the selection having a commanding grasp of how to use the short form, the New Talents Live Action competition of 2021 becomes a rollercoaster ride of exhilarating storytelling and a collection of stunning filmmakers who everyone should keep an eye on as their rare talents develop even further as time goes on.

Screenings

Hall 4 LUXE Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening090302 / Shorts New Talents võistlusprogramm: lühifilm 5
Screening duration
Virtual hall Online Cinema
ScreeningShorts New Talents võistlusprogramm: lühifilm 5

Films

European premiere

Junko

Local title
Junko
Director
Minsho Limbu
Country
Nepal
Year
2021
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

A newly married girl is left by her husband in her mother’s home with a cell phone. The girl stares at the cell phone for weeks which she hopes will bring her husband’s news. The girl during her wait is pushed to accept the fate of self-reliance and solitude after she keenly observes her self-reliant mother who shares exactly the same fate.

Director
Minsho Limbu
Runtime
Language
Nepali
Subtitles
English
Trailer

Baltic premiere

The Salamander Child

Local title
Salamandripoiss
Original title
L'Enfant Salamandre
Director
Théo Degen
Country
Belgium
Year
2021
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

At 15, Florian thinks he can communicate with the deads through fire. That belief makes him the weirdo in the village where he lives. One day, by dint of being called a monster....He becomes one.

Director
Théo Degen
Runtime
Language
French
Subtitles
English

World premiere

Encounter

Local title
Kohtumine
Director
Arctic Qu
Country
Australia
Year
2021
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

A metaphorical, coming-of-age story about a girl’s journey towards freedom and reclaiming her own voice. Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Arctic Qu, Encounter presents a mysterious, dreamlike other-world where every element in this surrealistic adventure points at, dissects, and deconstructs the worldly reality we live by.

Director
Arctic Qu
Runtime
Language
English
Trailer

International premiere

Hourglass House

Local title
Liivakellamaja
Director
Yinghai Hu
Country
China
Year
2021
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

The little boy wanted to take an adventure in the desert, but the mother could not leave the family behind. Meanwhile, sand is pouring into the house continuously, covering the family members around him . He realized that this was an irreversible hourglass of time……

Director
Yinghai Hu
Runtime
Language
English, Chinese
Subtitles
English
Trailer

Baltic premiere

The Flexed Arm Hang

Local title
Lõuatõmbamine
Director
Findlay Brown
Country
Canada
Year
2020
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

A boy attempts to get a silver medal in the most daunting of gym class challenges, the flexed arm hang.

Director
Findlay Brown
Runtime
Language
English