More than 800 films were submitted for the European Short Film Competition at this year’s Münster Film Festival, films up to a maximum of 30 minutes from a total of 33 countries. After a month-long process, the selection committee chose 36 short films which – with two exceptions – will be shown in Münster for the first time.
The range of films is enormous: from animated feature films to experimental documentaries, from the LoFi aesthetic of old Super 8 recordings to visually stunning cinemascope narratives, everything is represented. “We are overwhelmed by the unbridled creativity of the young filmmakers and equally by their sensitivity in dealing with socially important topics in short form,” says Carsten Happe, who is organising the festival together with Risna Olthuis.
The selection includes the winner of the German Short Film Award, “Fire Drill” by Maximilian Villwock, Cannes participants such as the Belgian historical spectacle “Loynes” by Dorian Jespers and the Estonian stop-motion animation “On Weary Wings Go By” by Anu-Laura Tuttelberg, which won festival awards in Leipzig, Amsterdam and Brussels, among others, following its premiere in Locarno. The experimental essay film “Magdalena Hausen – Die gefrorene Zeit”, a Greek-German co-production with the voice of Hanna Schygulla, celebrates its German premiere at the Münster Film Festival.
The competition entries can be seen in six programme blocks on 20 and 21 September at the Schloßtheater Münster, and there will also be repeat screenings from 22 to 24 September. An expert jury will decide on the Filmwerkstatt Grand Prize, which is endowed with 3,000 euros. The audience can also vote and choose their favourites, which will be shown again in the final round of the Audience Award on 25 September. This prize is endowed with 1,000 euros and is awarded by the Münstersche Filmtheater-Betriebe.
The complete programme of the 21st Münster Film Festival will be published on 01 September.
