The NUFF 2020 film program

A Boy With A Movie Camera

Drama | Iran | 2019 | 09:00
Dir: Amir Hossein Tabbat (15)
Script: Amir Hossein Tabbat
Cast: Malek tabbat, Mohamad Mehdi Tabbat, Sodabeh Yarmohamadi

A young boy in Iran wants to be a filmmaker, the greatest filmmaker in the world even, but he meets many obstacles on his path. His village becomes the theater of an epic quest to make his filmmaking dreams come true. Young director Amir Hossein Tabbat was only 13 when he wrote, directed and edited this film, not to forget he was also the make-up artist for the film!

Director's background:
Age 9, Amir Hossein Tabbat started writing science fiction short stories and reading them to his classmates. At the age of 12, he became interested in cinema because he saw the film “One flew over the cuckoo’s nest”. From then on he started making fiction films, and has made 6 fiction films so far.

The Mariachi Woman

Documentary | 2018 | Mexico | 08:33
Prod: Adán Ruiz, Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográficos (CUEC)
Dir: Adán Ruiz (26)
DoP: Jaime Garrido

Nancy is a mariachi woman who was unfairly imprisoned when she was mistaken as a trafficker while trying to cross the border into the United States. Now she lives in Mexico City with her wife Teo, with whom she has a son. Every day she goes to Garibaldi, the world's most important place for mariachi, where she is one of the few mariachi women and sings to support her family.

Director's background:
Adán Ruiz was born in 1994 in Morelia, Mexico. He graduated with a degree in Interactive Media, and is currently studying cinematography at CUEC-UNAM. He has participated in fiction and documentary short films as director, producer and cinematographer, among others.

o28

Animation | France | 2019 | 05:00 Prod: Philippe Meis (Supinfocom Rubika)
Dir: Otalia Caussé, Geoffroy Collin, Louise Grardel, Antoine Marchand, Robin Merle, Fabien Meyran
Script: Otalia Caussé
Music: Cyrille Marchesseau, David Gana

In Lisbon, a German married couple is enjoying a ride on the legendary n°28 tramway. But how will they react when the brakes let go and embark them passengers on a vertiginous race... with a baby on board? This animation comedy is packed with hilarious moments, while the making and directing of the film is bound to impress!

Directors' backgrounds:
Otalia Caussé, Geoffroy Collin, Louise Grardel, Antoine Marchand, Robin Merle and Fabien Meyran have graduated from Supinfocom Rubika school (Valenciennes, France) with a Master in digital director. In 2019, they co-directed the short film "o28".

The School Bus
-Servis-

Drama | Turkey | 2019 | 14:00 Prod/Dir/Script: Ramazan Kılıç (26)
Cast: Ezgi Ay, Muttalip Müjdeci, Hüseyin Yıkılmaz

Nebahat, a teacher in her 20s, has just been appointed to a rural village school in Anatolia. She realizes that her students are struggling to come to school, hitchhiking tractors, using whatever means they can find to get there. She asks the Ministry of Education for a shuttle bus, but when her request is finally granted, she discovers she still needs to find someone to drive. This upbeat, engaging story in the Turkish countryside will surely win your heart.

Director's background:
Ramazan Kılıç who was born in Ağrı in 1993 studies Cinema-Tv at İstanbul Şehir University. His first short film “PENABER” was awarded the first prize at 29th Aydın Doğan Foundation Young Communicator Competition and it was awarded the second prize at Sabancı Foundation Short Film Competition as well. That film also won many awards at national and international festivals. “The School Bus” is Ramazan Kılıç’s 3rd short film, and he pursues his career as a screenwriter and director.

Imilla

Drama | 2018 | Argentina | 00:13
Prod: Nahuel Carlos ALMADA
Dir: Mayra Nieva (26)
DoP: Julia CARRIZO

The story takes place in the 1980s, in a village in the valleys of Jujuy (Argentina). Imilla is a transgender woman living a peaceful life working as a farm hand for neighbors. Until one day, when she is called up for military service. IMILLA is a beautiful film that evokes topics of gender, village life and historical events in a delicate way.

Director's background:
Mayra Nieva is a filmmaker who studied at ENERC National Film School NOA Headquarters. Her first experience with cinema began in 2014 while attending the Social Communication course at Jujuy National University. She participated in different short films, like "Pesadillas" and "Marina Vilte". She works as a director, producer, camera and editor.

Moving Forward
-Videra-

Drama | Sweden | 2019 | 11:16
Prod: Liselotte Persson, Christian Zetterberg
Dir: Christian Zetterberg (26), Liselotte Persson
Script: Liselotte Persson
Cast: Tuva Jagell, Embla Ingelman-Sundberg

Summer is coming to an end. Tomorrow Misha moves abroad, while Fanny stays in their hometown. Her jealousy and feelings of being left behind are met by Misha's desire to make the best out of their last day together. Where will they be tomorrow? MOVING FORWARD is a film full of sensitivity and of youthful energy.

Directors' backgrounds:
Behind the directing and script writing for "Moving Forward" are Liselotte Persson and Christian Zetterberg, producing through their own company Gråklippan. Moving Forward is their "first" official project as a directing duo.
They met in south sweden in 2015, and the collaboration has continued ever since. As they both come from problematic upbringing conditions, a burning interest has been developed for telling children and young people's stories. Over the years, they have together produced a number of short films, including Ellen Johansson's “The birthday” in co-production with Film i Väst and “Skoldiscot / Slowdance” which has been awarded multiple awards and shown at over 50 festivals.

400 Mph

Animation | France | 2019 | 05:00
Prod: Philippe Meis (Supinfocom Rubika)
Dir: Paul-Eugène Dannaud, Julia Chaix, Lorraine Desserre, Alice Lefort, Natacha Pianeti, Quentin Tireloque
Script: Paul-Eugène Dannaud, Julia Chaix, Lorraine Desserre, Alice Lefort, Natacha Pianeti, Quentin Tireloque
Music: Kevin Bardin

On the Bonneville salt flats, the sound of roaring engines can be heard in the distance. At the wheel is Icarus, a chimpanzee hell-bent on transcending the limits of speed. Aboard iconic and increasingly powerful vehicles, Icarus will attempt to reach the ultimate speed of 400 Mph, thought to be impossible for land vehicles. As Icarus reaches for the sky, will he prevail or be consumed by his self-destructive quest?

Directors' backgrounds:
Paul-Eugène Dannaud, Julia Chaix, Lorraine Desserre, Alice Lefort, Natacha Pianeti and Quentin Tireloque have graduated from Supinfocom Rubika school (Valenciennes, France) with a Master in digital director. In 2019, they co-directed the short film "400 Mph".

I See in the Dark
-Tudi jaz vidim-

Documentary | 2019 | Slovenia | 16:24
Prod: Jožica Blatnik
Director: Lana Bregar (22)
DoP: Jure Stušek
Script: Lana Bregar
Music: Kai Engel
Cast: Mia Koritnik, Damijan Vizjak, Luj Šprohar

This short documentary features three individuals who have lost their sight. A young woman, a young man and an older musician recount their relationship to senses and perceptions. Their intimate narrative takes the viewer on a journey to their world and feelings about the loss of vision. A poetic documentary that is both deep and bright.

Director’s background:
Lana Bregar (born 1998) finished Secondary School for Design and Photography in Ljubljana, studying as her main course of studies in Photography. She expressed her enthusiasm for photography at the time of Secondary School, but her desire to connect stories into a more unified whole has brought her to making films. In Secondary School, she shot her first movies, some of them receiving awards at festivals. She continues her education at Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and Television, as her main course of studies in Film and Television Directing.

Director's filmography:
White Swimsuit (2017)
Soil Stories (2018)
I See in the Dark (2019)

Screen Time
-Skjermtid-

Experimental | 2019 | Norway | 02:22 Prod: Cecilia Johannessen, Trine Thanche
Dir: Cecilia Johannessen, Trine Thanche (18)
DoP: Cecilia Johannessen, Trine Thanche
Script: Cecilia Johannessen, Trine Thanche
Music: copyright free
Cast: Regine Myhre, Oskar Skalegaard, Elias Enojarvi, Aurora Thyrhaug, Cecilia Johannessen

SCREEN TIME is about a young woman who is addicted to her phone, not being able to put it down and living her everyday life with it, always attached to her hand. The story is told through the lens of her phone, as we follow her in her daily activities. This timely film made in Tromsø will be relatable for many, young and older people alike.

Directors' background:
Cecilia and Trine were both born and raised in Tromsø. They both go to Breivang High School, where they study media, and have a passion for making films, taking pictures and being creative in general.

Dear father ...
-Kjære far ...-

Documentary | 2019 | Norway | 19:53
Prod: Simon Samdal
Dir/DoP/Script: Maren Klakegg
Music: Artlist/Petter Fagelund
Cast: Beate Sommer

DEAR FATHER ... is a documentary about the life of Beate. From a young age she was sexually, psychologically and physically abused by her father. She grew up as the youngest of four siblings, who were all abused. A big part of Beate's adult life has been used to put her childhood behind her and taking the power back, which her father had taken from her. Today Beate lives a good life with two children. She is a great resource for her community and uses her experiences to help others. This strong and deeply touching documentary is a sensitive story of courage and empowerment in the face of abuse.

Director's background:
Maren Klakegg is 24 years old and comes from Kristiansand. She started as a stills photographer in high school and "folk high school". She then started on Westerdals and has been directing and filming several films during her terms there. She has also been working as a technical assistant and editor for 71 Grader Nord Kjendis as well as a content creator for Forte_ Digital. DEAR FATHER ... is her first film that is being shown publicly.

Stitching a Life: The Story of Trudie Strobel

Doc/animation | 2019 | USA | 08:18
Prod: C. Lily Ericsson
Dir: Spirit Avedon, Natasha Clement, Lila Dworsky-Hickey, Ian Kim, Miranda Lewis, Alexander McDaniel, Jaaziah McZeal, Hank Schoen, Coleman Weintraub, Jocelyn Vega, Fernanda Zaragoza

A child survivor of the Holocaust receives a packet of beads in a Displaced Persons camp after the war. Her mother tears off a piece of her skirt and the child embroiders a goose. Thus begins her life-long journey with thread and needle not knowing that someday this simple act will save her life again. Based on the life and art of Holocaust survivor Trudie Strobel. A production of the Righteous Conversations Project, a collaboration of Holocaust survivors and teens, and Harvard-Westlake Summer Film.

Director's background:
The students who created this film range in age from 12-18. They came together from different public and private schools in Southern California to participate in the Righteous Conversations Project summer workshop at Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City, California. During a two-week period they interviewed a Holocaust survivor, then shaped and animated the elder’s story.

Lone
-Otta-

Drama | India | 12:05
Prod: K R Narayanan National Instituter of Visual Science and Arts
Dir: Laya Kala Komath
Script: Laya Kala Komath
Cast: Raina Anna Roy, Saritha Kukku, Ahmmed Muslim

Mani, an 8-year-old girl, has only her grandfather and mother left. Grandfather's stories mean a lot to her. After some tragedies in life, she becomes like a fruit which is forcefully ripened. Her world shatters and she has to rebuild it like a different person. This beautiful film, set in rural India, shows us a difficult family reality through the eyes of a young girl, with a good dose of poetry and tenderness.

New World Vultures
Den Nya Världens Gamar

Fiction | 2020 | Sweden | 17:19
Prod: Jakob Ekvall, Nicola Camoglio
Dir: Jakob Ekvall (26)
Script: Jakob Ekvall
Cast: Astrid Gislason, Yuliya Antonova, Furat Jari, Christer Wahlberg, Emma Hedman

Yuliya Inova lives with her blind big sister in a segregated suburb in Sweden's new capital. The year is 2043 and the Swedish police has been replaced with a bounty system. Each day there are bounties printed of wanted criminals and it's up to each and every one to hunt down the wrongdoers. On a cold winter day Yuliya finds her own face on a bounty. It's now up to Yuliya and Lana to outsmart the menacing "vultures" and get out of town alive. NEW WORLD VULTURES is a highly original, fun and smart film that takes its viewers onto an exciting action-packed adventure.

Director’s background:
"New World Vulture" is Jakob Ekvall’s first short film since finishing his studies. Jakob is currently directing an independent horror movie set in the wild forests of northern Sweden, while also working on a script for a teen werewolf movie called "Lycantrop".

Change a Life
-Cambiar una Vida-

Documentary | 2019 | Spain | 18:00
Prod/dir: Fernando Mateos Frühbeck (26)

Sisters Janira and Tamar Taibo are leading the 26 Letters project, an independent school in Beirut that takes care of the education of Syrian refugee children in the area. The involvement in teaching and the willingness to learn come together in this school that stands out for its unique family environment. This camaraderie continues outside the classroom, where educators and children show their most humane and personal side. The school has been active in the Lebanese capital for three years and continues to grow with more children and volunteers joining every day.

Director's background:
Fernando Mateos (1994) is a young filmmaker and journalist from Madrid. After starting his professional career with the filming of the documentary "Nubes de Asfalto", which takes a critical stand against the pollution of his hometown, Mateos has been involved in various audiovisual projects that promote human rights and the preservation of the environment. His latest work, "Change a Life", tells the story of the project "26 Letters", an independent school in Beirut that takes care of the education of Syrian refugee children from the area.

Coming back is not the same as staying
-Terugkomen is niet hetzelfde als blijven-

Documentary | 2020 | Sweden | 05:24
Prod: Jasmijn Kooijman
Dir: Jasmijn Kooijman
DoP: Jasmijn Kooijman
Script: Jasmijn Kooijman
Cast: Rosalie Kooijman, Jasmijn Kooijman

Two sisters talk about memories, homesickness and nostalgia, but words feel insufficient. How do you describe feelings that are bigger than words and how do you talk about thoughts when the thoughts drift away? A poetic and reflective documentary centered around a conversation between director Jasmijn and her sister Rosalie.

Director's filmography:
2018 My new home is a trailer

Director's background:
Jasmijn Kooijman (1997) is raised in Amsterdam and moved to Sweden in 2015. She debuted with her short documentary My new home is a trailer (GFF 2018) that won the Tempo New Doc Award. Since then, she has been working on a feature documentary as well as some shorter projects - many of them about themes such as human rights and migration. At the moment Jasmijn is attending the bachelors program in film composition at HDK-Valand (Gothenburg).

The Echo Of Silence
El eco del silencio

Documentary | 2018 | Colombia | 16:00
Prod: Javier Ricardo Ortiz Puentes
Dir: Daniela Gamboa Arias (26)
DoP: Santiago Cadavid

Rubiela (43) is the mother of Laura (16) a disabled girl who suffers from a psychomotor delay that affects language and her personal and social development. This story of unconditional love takes us to the remote township of Valle del Cauca, the Tiple. Far from the bustle of society, far from the industry, far from the exhaustive pace of life of Cali, peace seems to reign, but the great echo of silence leaves some as forgotten by all. This strong and touching documentary follows Rubiela, Laura and her grandfather Don Gabriel (70) in their everyday struggles to live with dignity.

Director's background:
Daniela Gamboa Arias is a last semester student of Cinema at the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente located in the city of Cali. He has participated in several audiovisual works ranging from direction, script, assistance to direction and production. He is the director of the documentary "El eco del silencio" and producer of the short fiction film "Senescencia".

Floating City

Experimental | 2019 | Norway | 02:08
Prod: Frida Feline & Rebekka Torgersen
Dir: Frida Feline & Rebekka Torgersen
DoP: Rebekka Torgersen
Script: Frida Feline & Rebekka Torgersen
Music: Frida Feline

This experimental documentary takes on the topic of the invasion of cruise ships in Stavanger, Norway, and the pollution it creates. Shot entirely in black and white and without a voiceover, this unique short film immerses us in the absurdity of huge cruise ships occupying the Norwegian coast’s landscape. A timely film with a strong message.

Directors background:
Co-directors Frida Feline and Rebekka Torgersen, met at a Filmkraft Talent workshop in 2018 and have collaborated on different projects since then. They both studied in England and recently started to get into the film industry. "Floating City" is co-directors Frida Feline and Rebekka Torgersen’s first film. They have been winners of smaller talent competitions with Filmkraft Talent in Stavanger, Rogaland.

Jellyfish
Les Méduses

Drama | 2019 | France | 15:00
Prod: Coline Maisel
Dir: Manon Gaurin (25)
Cast: Cyril Durel; Guillaume Arnault; Manon Gaurin

JELLYFISH tells the story of two brothers, the oldest one being autistic. They live together in harmony, until the day when the need for emancipation will arise in the younger brother. But which one needs the other most? JELLYFISH is a moving and joyful story about siblings' love, and about finding one’s life path.

Director's background:
Manon Gaurin, a young 25-year-old director, began her career as an actress. From a very young age, she got roles in feature films and TV movies (15 August, Reines d'un jour, le Dirlo etc.). She later enrolled in the École Supérieure de Réalisation Audiovisuelle (ESRA), to learn film directing. Her graduation film, A BRAS-LE-CORPS, was selected by about twenty festivals worldwide. In 2018, Manon directed a one-minute film entitled MONSTERS, based on a poem written by Nikita Gill about night terrors, which won the Grand Prix de France. Thanks to this prize, she obtained a grant to start production of her latest short film, LES MÉDUSES.

The Loop
-Petla-

Animation | 2019 | Poland | 04:21
Prod/Dir/Script: Anna Bolińska (23) Music: Pink Freud

THE LOOP is a story of routine and repetition, as told from the perspectives of a man and… his cat. Stuck in the loop of working life, the man gets closer and closer to burn-out. In the meantime, unbeknownst to him, his cat enjoys a relaxing day at the beach. This jazzy animation film is both entertaining and very relevant for current times.

Director's background:
Anna Bolińska is from Poland, and currently lives in Białystok. She is the owner of a cat named Richard. She takes inspiration mostly from Franz Kafka and Dostoyevsky. She is interested in jazz, polish animation from the 80's and bohemian art.

Tradition

Drama | 2019 | Kyrgyzstan | 13:09
Prod: Zhanuzak Mamytov, Stambulbek Mambetaliev
Dir: Zhanuzak Mamytov (24)
Script: Zhanuzak Mamytov

Circumcision in Kyrgyz culture is not just a tradition, but for a Kyrgyz man it is also an essential part of his life. The main character, a young boy whose parents don’t pay much attention to him, is mocked by his peers for not being circumcised. How will he find a solution to this difficult situation? TRADITION is a beautiful and sensitive film told from the point of view of a young boy in Kyrgyzstan.

Director's background:
Zhanuzak Mamytov was born in 1996 in Batken, Kyrgyzstan. In 2019 he graduated from the Kyrgyz-Turkish University of Manas as a film director. In 2018 he directed a short film called “Elevator”, and TRADITION is his latest film.

Between Doves
Mellem Duerne

Drama | 2019 | Denmark | 12:42
Prod: Amalie Viktoria Møgelberg
Dir: Anne-Marie Bjerre Koch (21)
DoP: Asger Ryø Borberg
Script: Anne-Marie Bjerre Koch
Music: Mads Shang Olsen
Cast: Olivia Emilie Skovbo Ahlbom

6-year-old Maja’s world crashes when one day at school she opens up about the goodnight stories that her beloved single dad, Morten, tells her. When Majas retells the goodnight stories to her teacher, she experiences a new uncomfortable feeling: shame. “Between Doves” is a psychological drama that doesn’t take a stand on Mortens crimes, but instead focuses on the events from Maja’s point of view.

Director's background:
Anne-Marie is a young, award-winning director from North Zealand, Denmark. She has several short films behind her. She graduated from Station Next (a 3 years film program for young people) in 2017. After her time at Station Next, she worked as a freelance filmmaker, both with her own projects and on other bigger projects. Her recent films, "Break" and “Lost Boy”, received attention and nominations at film festivals. Currently, she is enrolled at The European Film College, where her main focus is directing.

Director's filmpgraphy:
2018: Lost Boy
2017: Break

Sandbox

Action/sci-fi | 2019 | Norway | 06:40
Prod: Daniel Anda
Dir: Daniel Anda (19)
DoP: Kristoffer Nylund Grindheim
Script: Daniel Anda
Music: Morten Rognskog
Cast: Tord Kinge, Robert Yarber, Lorina Anna Bakken

Jenny turns 13 and her father has arranged a big birthday party. An uninvited and dangerous psychopath interrupts the celebration and sets off a brutal fight with high stakes. SANDBOX is a highly energetic, action-packed film that will keep you on the edge of your seat up until the very last second.

Directors background:
Daniel Anda (b. 2000) is an aspiring film director and screenwriter. He works as an in-house content producer at Yellow Banana AS. He has previously directed several short films and commercials. He is currently working on his future film debut, «Dead men skiing», based on the Norwegian bestseller by Knut Nærum.

Directors filmography:
Døde menn går på ski (90 min) - premiere in 2021
Gledelig jul - 2019
Føre var - 2018
Portal – 2017

Roomservice

Drama | 2019 | Sweden | 08:19
Prod: Estelle Martinson
Dir: Simon Alvberg (21)
DoP: Kasper Duus Karlbom
Script: Natnael Ifter
Cast: Janna Granström, Ivan Mathias Petersson

After a one-night stand, Pia tries to secretly inseminate herself with the contents of the condom. To her astonishment, when she gets caught, she has to persuade the to-be father why he shouldn't be a part of the new family. ROOMSERVICE is a quirky film that blends humor and seriousness to form a very contemporary film.

5800

Drama | Denmark | 16:59
Prod: Coco Guldsborg
Dir: Anne-Sofie Lindgaard (24)
DOP: Kristoffer Bak
Script: Anne-Sofie Lindgaard, Louise Seedorff
Music: Christoffer Beese Nielsen
Cast: Emilie Hovgaard Øder, Karla Baldtzer

"5800" is a personal reflection on growing up in a small town, as well as on the strengths and weaknesses of female friendships. In this atmospheric film, director Anne-Sofie Lindgaard tells a story that many will relate to - a story about friendships, jealousy and figuring out one’s way through teenagehood.

Director's background:
Anne-Sofie was born in 1996 in Denmark. In 2015 she moved to Copenhagen to study a 6 months film course at Copenhagen Film and Photography School. She then moved to New York where she studied a 3 months course in Advanced Cinematography and Lighting at School of Visual Arts. In 2018, Anne-Sofie got accepted into University of the Arts London in 2018, where she is studying Film & TV in London. With "5800" Anne-Sofie made the move from cinematography to directing. As a director, she is drawn to portraying young women told with a female perspective. "5800" is Anne-Sofie's directorial debut.

Sentience

Science-Fiction | 2019 | France | 18:20
Prod: Alexis Maupin
Dir: Guillaume Bierry (22)
Script: Guillaume Bierry, Pietro Lago Silva
Cast: Roselyne Geslot, Florian Colas

SENTIENCE takes us to a speculative world where an old lady and a robot, both frustrated of their physical conditions, choose to switch their bodies. This unlikely relationship is strewn with incomprehension, as the robot cannot feel emotions, but also suffused with tenderness. A futuristic story that resonates with the contemporary world.

Director's background:
Since he was 11 years old, motivated by an English teacher to whom he had chosen to show his first short animated stop-motion film, Guillaume Bierry has been making films. His desire, which was then only to "literally give life" to inanimate objects through animation, gradually spread over larger territories: to give birth to emotions, sensations, to propose meaning. During the 3rd year of his studies at 3IS Paris school, he has directed a short film: Sentience, or the story of a robot that wants to give an old lady back her taste for life.

One Left

Animation | 2020 | Austria | 06:13
Dir: Sebastian Doringer (24)
Music & Sound Design: Artur Aigner
Voice actors: Josef Lusser, Pia Tschiderer, Theo Aigner, Sebastian Doringer

ONE LEFT takes place in a world where life is symbolized by a heart pictogram that appears above a person's head. Several patients are waiting in a doctor’s office to hear test results regarding their remaining lifetimes. In most cases, the allotted time is not as long as they had hoped for. ONE LEFT is a funny and timely animation.

Director’s background:
Sebastian Doringer, 24 years old, was born in Salzburg, Austria. After graduating from school he moved to Vienna to study „Painting and Animation“ at the University of Applied Arts in the class of Judith Eisler where he graduated in January 2020. Most of his work is focused on 2D animated short films.

Exit the Matrix
Выход из Матрицы

Documentary | 2019 | Russia | 20:00
Prod: Alexandra Prikhodko
DoP: Zakhar Rybakov
Script: Alexandra Prikhodko
Music: Oleg Bogucharskiy

In the Apsheronsk District of the Krasnodar Territory, among the majestic Caucasus Mountains and impassable forests, the tiny villages were lost. They are connected to the rest of the world only by a thin thread, a narrow-gauge railway winding through gorges - and this is the only way back and forth. A small, old locomotive nicknamed by the locals "Matrix", delivers food, fuel and other benefits of civilization every day. People who for one reason or another prefer loneliness and unity with nature to noisy city life, make their journey by “Matrix”.

Director’s background:
Alexandra Prikhodko was born on January 18, 1996 in Makeevka, Donetsk District, Ukraine, in a family of engineers. In 2000, she moved to Sochi, where she entered a gymnasium. In 2014, after receiving school education, she moved to Krasnodar, where she entered the Krasnodar State Institute of Culture for the specialty of directing film and television. Alexandra graduated in 2019.

Forest Spirit

Experimental | 2019 | Sweden | 02:46
Prod/dir/DoP/Script: Pippa Molony, Paul Gleeson, Savina Smederevac, Luka Ivanović, Emmy Halkova, Linnea Palmqvist, Evelina Söderberg and Rebeca Ax

FOREST SPIRIT is an experimental film based on the poetry of Dan Andersson, using visuals seen through a round lens and a voiceover to transcribe poetry onto film. This unique film takes the viewer on a serene journey through the forests, where poetry becomes reality.

Directors' backgrounds: The film was made by a collective of young filmmakers in the framework of Film Days at VBU 2019.

Letters

Documentary | 2017 | Norway/South Korea | 1:17:00 Producer: Maria Ekerhovd, Elisa Fernanda Pirir
Director: Marte Vold & Jéro Yun
Screenplay: Marte Vold, Jéro Yun
Photography: Marte Vold, Jéro Yun

LETTERS is a film about two people living on different sides of the planet; their daily lives, families, their differences and similarities. Filmmakers Marte from Tromsø and Jéro from Busan, South Korea met at the talent camp CPH:LAB in 2015, and were assigned to make a film together. They corresponded the following year, through letters, photos and video diaries to get to know each other. In the film, we alternate between Oslo and South Korea in scenes of everyday life and with the directors’ own voice-overs as guides: Shoe shopping, football practice, cooking, IKEA mounting, karaoke and Norway’s national holiday. Marte is a mother of two, and leads a typical Norwegian family life. Jéro has no kids, but spends a lot of time with his parents and his brother’s family. They reflect over the loss of freedom, but at the same time, they express the love and strength that come with family ties. LETTERS is the story of a meeting that turned into a diary and ended up as a warm and personal film.

Director's background: Marte Vold (b. 1978 in Tromsø) attended the Oslo National Academy of the Arts and the Norwegian Film School in Lillehammer (Cinematography). She co-directed Ole Giæver’s feature film OUT OF NATURE (2014). In 2017, she did her first feature film as a cinematographer: THE TREE FELLER. At NUFF 2020 she's one of the mentors. Jéro Yun (b. 1980) studied Fine Arts in Nancy and Paris. He has made several short films and documentaries.

Voice of the glaciers

Documentary | 2020 | Norway | 19:47
Prod/Dir/DoP/Script/Music: Sindre Kolbjørnsgard (25)

In the summer of 2019, four young adventurers embark on a dangerous scientific expedition into the Arctic, with the intent of documenting the true story of the effects of the changing climate. Through Eric’s scientific degree in glaciology, and Kris' crucial knowledge of navigating the local terrain, working as an Arctic guide, the team approach the endeavor with open minds, seeking evidence, to determine fact from hysteria, about the rate of glacial melting.

Director's background:
Sindre Kolbjørnsgard is an adventurer, photographer and filmmaker. In recent years he has embarked on several major expeditions in Norway and abroad. Among many other things Sindre have crossed Finnmark on skis, walked across Norway and Iceland, climbed four of the notorious 7 summits and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean via Greenland. In all these years, the interest in photography and film has been an important part of Sindre’s life. In 2018, he also published his first documentary from a sailing expedition via Greenland. Sindre says “is the great adventure that drives him” and he has a strong desire to share them with as many people as possible through photos and documentaries.

Transient

Animation / Sci-fi | 2018 | Germany | 03:59
Prod: Daniel Tenné
Dir: Mario Bertsch
Script: Lena Schäfer, Simon Schulz
Cast: Jonathan Tilly

This animated film takes us to another world, where people have isolated themselves and created their own demise. Through stunning 3D visuals, “Transient” tells us that we should never forget that the things that connect us always outweigh what separates us. Director Mario Bertsch brings us along on a unique journey through time and space.

Director's background:
Mario Bertsch (*1996) is studying animation at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. In 2015 he graduated as a graphic designer from the Hauchler studio Biberach. Since then he has been working as a freelance producer and VFX supervisor for clients like Sony music entertainment, Mercedes and Audi. When he was ten years old he joined honorary the planetarium Laupheim society and got involved in fields like program development, elaboration and realization.

Babydyke
Babylebbe

Drama | 2019 | Denmark | 00:19:35
Prod: Mille Astrup
Dir: Tone Ottilie Frederiksen (25)
Script: Tone Ottilie, Ida Åkerstrøm Knudsen
Cast: Anna Zerbib Streitz, Levi Eja Roepstorff

Frede goes with her big sister to a queer techno party to win back her ex. When her plan goes wrong, she tries to follow her sister’s less romantic advice on how to get over your ex and not be a babydyke. This coming-of-age film portrays the young, cool crowd in Denmark with an authentic atmosphere and a beautiful cinematography.

Director's background:
Tone Ottilie is a 24-year-old director based in Copenhagen and a current student at the National Film School of Denmark. She has worked with both fiction, animation and documentary. She is passionate about authentic representation of young women, queer politics and moving storytelling.

Grounding

Drama | 2019 | Ireland | 07:00
Prod/Dir/Script: Oisín-Tomás Ó Raghallaigh (20)
Cast: Victoria McClements, Barry John Kinsella, Bernadette Brown

Sarah, a shy 15-year-old girl, finds the courage to open up about the abuse she and her brother have faced at the hands of their mother and the psychological consequences of it while attending an appointment at a children's mental health facility. A powerful film supported by a strong performance by young actress Victoria McClements.

Director's background:
Oisín-Tomás Ó Raghallaigh is a 19-year-old director, born and raised in Ireland. A film lover and film student he directed his first short film 'Attraction' in 2016. His short film 'Hindsight' was created at the National Film and Television School and was awarded many prizes, including the 'Best Young Filmmaker' award at the Leigh Short Film Festival. He also produced a 35-minute film called 'Grapevines' about vigilante violence in Ireland. He has also been selected to receive directing mentorship by BAFTA. He is currently studying Film and Theatre at Queens University Belfast and GROUNDING is his latest film.

Meatgrinder

Drama | 2019 | Russia | 20:00
Prod: Vladislav Bakhanovich
Dir: Vladislav Bakhanovich
DoP: Anton Dorushenkov
Script: Vladislav Bakhanovich
Composer: Kirill Kozub
Cast: Oleg Savostyuk, Andrey Tarasov, Antonina Bodrova, Denis Zaynulin

Eighth-grader Dima starts a new life. A beautiful girlfriend, grown-up friends, night parties - everything he dreamed about is already starting to come true. It only remains for him to win the fight without rules in the tournament "Meat Grinder" and for this he will have to make a truly adult choice. MEATGRINDER is an atmospheric coming-of-age film that combines beautiful cinematography and an engaging script.

Director's background:
Vladislav Bakhanovich graduated from the camera faculty Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography in 2018 year.

The Golden Buttons

Documentary | 2020 | Russia | 19:00
Prod: Alex Kozmenko
Dir: Alex Evstigneev
DoP: Alex Evstigneev, Liza Popova
Script: Alex Evstigneev
Music: Iliya Nasirov

The Golden Buttons is an immersive and creative documentary that brings us into the world of young Russian cadets. Created from fragments of phrases, observations and faces, the film is an attempt to show the inner world of the children cadets - from the first machine gun in their hands to the future fighter Rosguards. It is a bold but poetic look at the way nationalism directly affects and shapes young generations.

Director's background:
Alex Evstigneev was born and grown in Shatura, Russia. He has been studying Documentary Filmmaking at Russian State Institute of Cinematography n.a. Sergej Gerasimov (also known as VGIK), course of Viktor Lisakovich and Alexej Geleyn. Alex makes documentaries, short films, commercials, and music videos.

Drift
Drivkraft

Documentary | 2019 | Sweden | 05:06
Prod/Dir/DoP: Nina Winter, Vera Berggren Wiklund
Music: Felix Kling
Cast: Maja Rhodin, Alma Berlin, Maxine Finnberg, Wilhelmina Borssen

DRIFT is a documentary about four young female gymnasts competing on the highest level within Umeå Gymnastikförening in Northern Sweden. The ten- and eleven-year-old girls talk about their dreams, fears and their drive to follow their passion. DRIFT is a joyous documentary that puts the spotlight on what drives young athletes.

Directors background:
Nina Winter and Vera Berggren Wiklund, both 20 years old from Umeå, are driven by the wish to highlight young girls through film. Drift is their first co-created short film.

Random Panic Attacks
Hsin Yi Shih - 正片

Animation | 2019 | Taiwan | 02:24
Prod, Dir, script: Hsin Yi, SHIH (24)

Random Panic Attacks is an experimental animation film that transcribes the feelings that many people may feel in our current societies: being overwhelmed by social media and consumerist advertisement, as well as psychological isolation. Fast paced and at times hypnotic, Random Panic Attacks feels like a captiving trip.

Some Kind Of Bond

Documentary | 2019 | Italy | 20:00
Prod/Dir: Chiara Cavarzan (26)

Some Kind Of Bond is a film about a cemetery: a quiet and lonely place filled with life and memories. We observe the casual and the diligent visitors; we talk with them about their thoughts on death, loss and grief. Some of them decide to invite us into their homes, and together we go on an emotional journey through different personal experiences: the loss of a child, a grandparent and a mother.

Director's background:
Chiara Cavarzan is an Italian documentary filmmaker based in London. She mainly focuses on personal stories and social issues. To her, documentary filmmaking is an ongoing exchange based on trust and self-discovery. She sees documentary as a therapeutic art form: by using both observational and participatory approaches she aims at creating compelling pieces that represent a valuable and nourishing experience to the contributors.

Escape
Flugt

Drama | 2019 | Denmark | 10:54
Prod: Sophie Eberhard
Dir: Laura Hadsund Baarstrøm (18)
DoP: Adam Stridbæk
Script: Anastacia Zofia Kolle and Laura Hadsund Baarstrøm
Cast: Selma Søgård-Høyer, Alexander W. Schøler

Escape is a short film about siblings Bastian and Freja who, due to parental neglect, take to the woods to seek out their old childhood playhouse and a better life for themselves. But as Freja fills out the role of the responsible older sister, her insecurity about the expedition slowly starts to grow.

Director's background:
Laura Hadsund Baarstrøm was born and raised in Copenhagen. Her interest for filmmaking and visual storytelling started early as a bond between her and her dad. Now she cannot imagine doing anything else. She thinks in pictures and is passionate about expressing herself through film.

Director's filmography:
Escape (2019, director, screenwriter)
Maria (2019, cinematographer) Sprite commercial (2019, cinematographer, editor)
The shrimp boy (2019, 1st AC)
The match (2017, cinematographer)
Women women women (2017, 1st AC)

Cuts
Afskåret

Drama | 2019 | Denmark | 10:00
Prod: Jakup Klein
Dir: Cecilie Holmfjord Jonassen (16)
DoP: Joshua Astor
Script: Cecilie Holmfjord Jonassen
Cast: Jacob Nygård, Maria- Louise Andersen

17-year-old Liam is in a relationship with 16-year-old Thea. Liam's mom is distant, and his dad is dead. Behind the curtain he self-harms, and he tries to hide it from Thea, because he is scared of her reaction. But one day when they’re home alone at Thea's house, it becomes impossible to hide.

Director's background:
Cecilie Holmfjord Jonassen has co-written plays in previous theatre classes. She was the screenwriter for the film “10 Shots”. Her interest in filmmaking came after being in the theatre world. She has learned about filmmaking from Station Next, media class and courses.

Our Land
Utan Er

Drama | 2019 | Sweden | 12:51
Prod: Jean-Luc Mwepu
Dir: Jean-Luc Mwepu (23)
DoP: Simon Bendroth & Ulf Leide
Script: Jean-Luc Mwepu
Music: Soren Haar
Cast: Quentin Donell, Patrice Medi, Tim Svensson

Idris and Kojo are the two last survivors of a group of African refugees, who have inhabited Swedish woods for almost 10 years and lived independently. When they encounter a young boy named Stellan, a riskful friendship begins. OUR LAND is a mysterious film with outstanding cinematographic qualities, which brings the viewer into a world of its own.

Director's Background:
Jean-Luc grew up in Väterås, Sweden and now lives in Stockholm. He just finished his first short film, UTAN ER, a no-budget film made with friends that just started with film production.

From Ávila To Monserrate
De Ávila a Momserrate

Drama | 2019 | Colombia | 14:47
Prod: Julieth Natalia, Pinilla Jímenez
Dir: David Leonardo Alarcón Barrios (24)
Script: David Leonardo Alarcón Barrios

This is the story of Carlitos, a young immigrant from Venezuela who lives in Colombia and makes money as a street musician. He lives with his Colombian boyfriend and lives a relatively peaceful life, punctuated by regular calls to his mom in Venezuela. Until one day, he gets an unexpected call. A bittersweet story of love beyond borders.

Director's background:
David Leonardo Alarcón Barrios is a Colombian filmmaker, born in 1994 in Bogotá. He lived in Venezuela until he was 21 years old, where he studied Telecommunications Engineering. When he returned to Colombia, he decided to start his career as a filmmaker at the Uniagustiniana University, during which he took part in different alternate meetings such as the "Equinoxio Film Festival" in its first edition of the National Meeting of Film Students as a screenwriter.

The gray-area rape
Inte en riktig våldtäkt

Drama | 2019 | Sweden | 11:06
Prod: Anna Adell
Dir: Anna Adell (26)
DoP: Daniel Edin
Script: Anna Adell
Music: Epidemic Sound
Cast: Christian Fandango Sundgren, Linn Ehrner, Julia Rambe

Emil and Sanna are a couple who have a loving and caring relationship, until one night everything changes when Emil rapes Sanna while she is asleep. When Sanna tries to talk about what happened to a friend, she is faced with society’s disregard of the very real abuse she suffered. THE GRAY-AREA RAPE is an important and sensitive film that highlights the social taboo that still surrounds domestic rape.

Director's background:
Anna Adell is currently enrolled in Film Studies at Stockholm’s University. She previously trained as a TV production specialist at the Mediainstitutet in Sweden, and attended a Directing course at the Met Film school in Berlin in 2015.

Director's Filmography:
Liam och superhjältarna - 2019
Revolta - 2015

The Note
Lappen

Drama | 2019 | Norway | 10:49
Prod: Tiril Myhre Skår
Dir: Tiril Myhre Skår (22)
DoP: Andreas Fredriksen
Script: Tiril Myhre Skår, Eivind Jordal
Music: Em
Cast: Alva Lindahl Ringvold, Linnea Sunde Mortensen, Alex Charles Herlofsen, Philip Olsson Beckmann

Lea and Elise are best friends, even though they seem to be from completely different worlds. One day, Tommy, a boy from school, comes up to Lea during soccer practice with a note for Lea to give Elise. He asks her if she can ask Elise to be his girlfriend. Lea says yes to help him out, but quickly realizes that her own emotions will interfere with the situation.

Director's background:
Tiril Myhre Skår (b.1997) is a young filmmaker who focuses on telling queer stories and movies with queer characters in them. She graduated with a Bachelor degree’s in film in 2019 and during her last semester her documentary "Tomboy" was screened at the Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival. She has also shown her short film "Are You Asleep?" at the Norwegian Short Film Festival in Grimstad in 2018. She is currently working on her master’s degree in Documentary Production at The University of Stavanger and making documentaries that focus on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. 

Director's filmography:
Are You Asleep? 2018
Tomboy, 2018

Wrong Direction
Kor faen blei det av Norge?

Documentary | 2020 | Norway | 18:12
Prod: Signe Rosenlund-Hauglid, co-produced by Jon Jerstad
Dir: Signe Rosenlund-Hauglid
DoP: Signe Rosenlund-Hauglid
Script: Signe Rosenlund-Hauglid
Music: ©Sliteneliten
Cast: Maria Refsland, Synneva Gjelland, Silje Strøm, Inga Haugdahl Solberg, Thea Marie Kvam og Ylva Gulpinar

Six young ladies form a band on a dark January evening in Oslo. None of them know each other, but everyone knows Maria, the left-wing lesbian with the high-pitched opinions. They call themselves a political telegram embellished with flute, fiddle, guitars, drum and bass. Throughout the spring, a warm friendship and a luminous band career is formed. Then real-life knocks on the door. WRONG DIRECTION is an engaging, joyous documentary that is also a relatable coming-of-age story.

Director's background:
Signe Rosenlund-Hauglid is a journalist and filmmaker from Viken county in Norway. She has previously made two short documentaries and is currently developing her debut film with Stray Dog Productions in Oslo. Her films address topics dealing with feminism, LGBT-rights and political issues both in Norway and abroad.

Director's filmography:
What I am Looking For? (2017)
Blessed (2018)