The Focus: Community competition centers on films that bring us together. They address current social issues from around the world, told through the perspective of individuals – often ordinary people trying to find their place in a complex reality. Here you’ll find intimate dramas, personal documentaries, and heartwarming comedies. The competition screenings are divided into thematic sections, allowing viewers to explore the topics that most frequently engage contemporary short-film creators.

Lift Lady, dir. Marcin Modzelewski (Poland) 2024, 25’, 16+
Brutalist architecture, a toll elevator and the surrealism of the environment are the daily life of Mzia, a former sniper overseeing this globally unique transportation system. This film’s grotesqueness paints a tragicomic picture of modern Georgia.
Film awarded at e.g. WFF and Thessaloniki IDF.

If the Sun Drowned Into an Ocean of Clouds, dir. Wissam Charaf (France, Lebanon) 2023, 20’, 15+
Security guard Raed works at a construction site in Beirut. His main task is to prevent passing-by walkers from accessing the seaside. The more strange encounters he experiences, the harder it becomes for him to find his place in reality.
Film awarded at Clermont-Ferrand ISFF.

Guideprice 1100pcm, 1 Bed Flat to Rent, dir. Jake Kuhn (United Kingdom) 2024, 7’, 15+
An intimate look into a cheap apartment where tenants come and go, in a gentrified city that no one calls home.
World premiere.

I Hate New York, dir. Jasmin Baumgartner (Austria) 2024, 20’, 15+
Marisa wants to save her relationship with Rafael. She embarks on a nighttime journey through a bustling metropolis to find an ‘I Love New York’ T-shirt. She soon discovers that in this city, nothing comes for free – not even during Christmas.
Film presented at e.g. OpenEyes FF. Polish premiere.

Robespierre, dir. Pierre Menahem (France) 2024, 24’, 16+
After a long absence, Max returns to Paris and settles in with his father in the lively Belleville district. He wanders the streets, curious about others, eager to meet new people, but soon finds himself confronted with a profound malaise.
Prix Unifrance award winner. Polish premiere.