official selection of 2025
Discover the exciting lineup of Selected Projects for our upcoming online screening: Explore Posters, Synopses, and Director Insights from this Edition’s Festival Highlights
What Liba felt
Directed by Frank Nesemann
Synopsis
A family drama set in the near future. 16-year-old Bruna fights against a decision her mother has made for the good of the family and to protect her little sister Liba.
Director Statement
“What Liba felt” tells the story of how a family deals with an extremely challenging situation. The film offers a glimpse into the near future, where a mental health AI tries to guide the family and their emotions through this difficult time. “What Liba felt” shows that a family can grow stronger by learning to accept that each member finds their own way of coping.
Director Biography
Frank is a director specializing in commercials, music videos, and short films. He began his motion picture career at NYFA and UCLA. His work is defined by a strong focus on actor performance and emotional authenticity. After many years directing commercials and writing feature-length screenplays, What Liba Felt marks his third short film.
Runtime
25 minutes
Zone of Shards
Directed by Dániel Bóta
Synopsis
A ruined town, a kaleidoscope, a boy — and the moment when childhood irreversibly cracks. Zone of Shards (SzilánkZóna) is a historical short drama set in rural Hungary during the final days of World War II in the spring of 1945. Inspired directly by the director’s grandfather’s personal memories, the film immerses viewers in a child’s experience of war through its distinct visual style, evocative sound design, and immersive 4:3 aspect ratio. Seen through the eyes of 12-year-old Marci, the film quietly yet powerfully captures the surreal and fragmented reality of a world falling apart.
Director Statement
Dániel’s recent short film Zone of Shards received considerable awards and nominations in 2025, including: Best Costume Design (January Award) at the Roma Prisma Film Awards, a nomination for Best Costume Design at the Roma Prisma Annual Film Awards 2024/2025, and Best Costume Design (January Award) at the Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival. The film was also an Official Selection at the Metropolis Film Festival. As a director, he gravitates toward emotionally and visually extreme storytelling that reflects lived experiences and inner conflict. His films often feature female protagonists and tackle themes such as substance use, societal pressure, and identity crisis.
Director Biography
Dániel Bóta is a Budapest-based filmmaker whose work centers on socially marginalized characters and their often desperate attempts to break free from oppressive circumstances. With a background in both film theory and production, Dániel brings a highly stylized, emotionally raw aesthetic to his short films. His narratives often explore addiction, female agency, and psychological fragmentation, presented through intense visuals and bold musical scores.
Runtime
18 minutes 5 seconds
Take Care Now
Directed by Richard Childs
Synopsis
A strange tale unfolds as two individuals unexpectedly find themselves double-booked into the same holiday home. Following an awkward initial encounter, Anne and Ted strive to salvage their individual nights away by avoiding each other. But it is soon apparent that Anne is there with sinister intentions. Ted, seeking solace after a breakup, becomes unwittingly entangled in an unintended hostage situation.
Director Statement
In writing this short film, I intended to explore the complexities of human interaction and examine the theme of inner peace, while dealing with unexpected circumstances. The film is a meditation on the power of letting go. Anne’s journey serves as a reminder that true liberation often requires confronting our fears. As Anne navigates the murky waters of her psyche, we explore the delicate balance of finding peace at all costs and maintaining one’s humanity. Take Care Now challenges viewers to consider the price of freedom and the sacrifices we must make to attain it, while affirming the resilience of the human spirit. In a world where forgiveness is often the hardest path to choose, I hope the film will inspire audiences to confront their demons and embrace the journey towards healing.
Director Biography
Richard is an Irish director from Wicklow. He started in the industry as a runner for a local Dublin production company. Some generous directors and producers noticed he had a good eye for detail and soon asked him to become a second shooter on programs for RTE and TG4. Eventually taking the ultimate risk, Richard started his own company, Tiny Ark, with a couple of friends so that he could explore the realm of directing and editing. He’s been in love ever since. His favourite film from last year came in the form of a charity film for ALONE that won best charity film at the Shark Awards. He loves capturing stories that showcase what human connection and emotion look and feel like in many forms. A feature film debut isn’t too far on the horizon. When not making videos for money Richard nurses his addiction to making films on YouTube and in making the ultimate home videos for his wife and two daughters.
Runtime
16 minutes
INKOMU – A child’s promise
Directed by Gautier Courquin
Synopsis
This immersive documentary reveals the behind-the-scenes of a unique and inspiring photographic quest in South Africa.
Director Biography
Filmmaking is my life and I don’t see myself doing anything else. Growing up in South Africa from age 7 to 12 made me realize how much traveling and discovering other cultures is important. This is how it all started, with a camcorder in 2001. I am now 30 years old and have my production company MiraMira based in Nice, France.
Runtime
26 minutes 19 seconds
Body
Directed by Silvia Muzzioli
Synopsis
The film follows an introverted 20-year-old girl, Duna Canet, as she leads a seemingly normal life. Yet, at its roots she is trapped and consumed by an eating disorder that refuses to accept. In as little as a day, the struggle unravels to the point where she hits rock bottom and sets out on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.
Director Biography
Silvia Muzzioli is an Italian director and script supervisor. She developed an interest in filmmaking from a young age and at 18, she attended a filmmaking course at Rosencrantz & Guildenstern (Scuola di Cinematografia). In 2014, she moved to Barcelona where she had intended to complete a degree in film studies, but ended up graduating from Autonomous University of Barcelona with a degree in Translationand Interpreting in 2018 and she majored in Audiovisual Translation from the same university the following year. In 2019 she took up film studies again and in 2021 received a master’s degree in film directing from ECIB (Escola de Cinema de Barcelona). She made her directorial debut with “cos” (body) which she also wrote as part of her master’s final project.
Runtime
15 minutes 38 seconds
Steal The Movie
Directed by Richard Duryea
Synopsis
A wannabe filmmaker wanting to get back at an old rival at an upcoming 48-hour film festival, kidnaps a washed-up actor before filming into a broken into furniture store.
Director Biography
Richard Duryea began writing at a young age with a passion for storytelling. While he struggled through his education, he persevered and eventually earned two BA degrees in creative writing and film production at CSUN. He uses his on-set knowledge to inform his writing on what can and cannot be done on certain budgets. With this practical mindset, he has written multiple screenplays across many genres. Today he resides in Texas with his wife Allison and dog Leo.
Runtime
5 minutes 57 seconds
