Our short film program this year is a curation of submissions and selected works from Australian & New Zealand filmmakers.
Honey Kaha
Short film | Comedy | European premiere | 2023 | New Zealand | 19 min | English with German subtitles | Directed by Te Waiarangi Ratana
Synopsis
The low-budget adventures of streetwise fisheries officer Honey Kaha are brought to life by star Dr. Julia Love and her dastardly former husband, Kent Barry
Granite Highway
Short film | Drama | European premiere | 2024 | Australia | 14 min | English with German subtitles | Directed by Rhys Ellis
Synopsis
Set in the ’90s in a forgotten outback town, Alice, a lonely motel receptionist, becomes obsessed with a missing woman’s case. Over one restless night, paranoia and desire twist reality as she confronts a strange guest who may hold the answers. Granite Highway is a hypnotic, slow burn thriller.
Plantspeak
Short film | Arthouse | German premiere | 2023 | Australia | 2 min | English with German subtitles | Directed by Kate Vinen
Synopsis
In this ode to ecosexuality we enter one woman’s personal Eden, where the boundaries between time and space collapse and the language of plants and flowers is felt.
Hifi Ulu
Short film | Documentary | European premiere | 2024 | New Zealand | 10 min | English with German subtitles | Directed by Chantelle Burgoyne
Synopsis
As his tenth birthday approaches, Luka prepares for the Hifi Ulu ceremony, a Niuean rite of passage that will mark his transition into young manhood. Navigating this milestone in his own unique way, Luka’s journey is quietly mirrored by his father’s unresolved feelings. As the day draws near, anticipation builds, leaving everyone to wonder how Luka truly feels about this pivotal moment in his life.
Milk of Dreams
Short film | Arthouse | European premiere | 2024 | New Zealand | 16 min | English with German subtitles | Directed by Sarah Grohnert
Synopsis
MILK OF DREAMS is a dreamlike journey through the internal landscapes of an intimate mother and daughter bond. Set on an old farm in a timeless New Zealand landscape, the film paints a compassionate portrait of a mother and her daughter living their days together until the quiet presence of a stranger draws them apart.
No Feedback
Short film | Comedy | German premiere | 2025 | Australia | 8 min | English with German subtitles | Directed by Benjamin Ryan
Synopsis
Three nervous bank robbers waiting in a van before their heist become obsessed with doing movie character voices during the robbery. Despite their leader's protests that they're wearing masks, the crew argues over De Niro and Alan Rickman impressions. After a pep talk about teamwork, they successfully rob the bank while still doing their voices, though customers seem confused as to who they are meant to be.
Suvira
Documentary | European premiere | 2024 | Australia | 8 min | English with German subtitles | Directed by Sam Clarke
Synopsis
This film tells the story of artist, Suvira McDonald, and explores what makes his passion for pottery so special. A pivotal moment in Suvira's life ignites a love for pottery, inspiring him to build a successful career from his new found passion.
Jarda Bura, Gurri Bura, Jarda Ngarli, Gurri Ngarli (Senior Woman, Young Woman)
Short film | Arthouse | European premiere | 2024 | Australia | 12 min | English with German subtitles | Directed by Big hART
Synopsis
Exploring practice and power through film, photography and composition, this powerful film highlights women’s stories of strength. With touching intimacy, bear witness to the intergenerational relationships between Aboriginal women, their kinship system, their living connection to Country, and the knowledge they collectively share between mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters and aunties. Co-created with Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi women from Ieramugadu (Roebourne), Western Australia.
Clown
Short film | Comedy | German premiere | 2023 | Australia | 9:40 min | English with German subtitles | Directed by Aarushi Chowdhury
Synopsis
It's turning out to be a pretty perfect Sunday for eight-year-oldSAMI (Samira). Lurking in the shadows, fake axe abreast,ready to strike her apparently distracted older sister JIYA until - thirteen-year-old ELIZA shows up.
Jiya and Eliza do everything together, EVERYTHING! And what'sworse - always without Sami. While she isn't quite fond of dressing up in itchy, tight clothing and talking in accents or swapping secrets on the couch, Sami tries her best to do it anyway, it’s better than getting left behind right?
However, Sami's little heart is crushed when she takes a tumble in her mother's heels and realises that Jiya is too busy to notice her. Sami’s hurt can’t be consoled, even with her mother’s poor attempts at teaching her the exciting rules of chess.
Sami hears Jiya and Eliza leave the house and seizes the opportunity to find out why her sister doesn’t like her anymore. She makes her way to Jiya’s room and discovers the sparklingly glorious world of makeup.
At first, this seems to be another attempt of Sami's to be a part of her sister’s glamorously exclusive world. But when Jiya and Eliza arrive, they are met with the creepiest clown-child who has an unsettling likeness to ‘Pennywise’. Sami gets to land the scare of a lifetime and thrillingly chase her victims with her little plastic axe.