The German Competition presents films which are aesthetically and formally dense, courageous and surprising and present their ideas in unusually trenchant ways. In the programmes, prominent short film makers meet new, up-and-coming talents and films from the academies run alongside independent productions, ranging from documentaries over narrative films and animations to cinematic experiments. As a festival from Hamburg we particularly focus on interesting new productions by local film makers.

The programme Pictures of You erupts into a colourful explosion and dives into love and change. Sometimes tenderly, sometimes reluctantly, the subject approaches and mirrors itself in its counterpart. The Anthropocene’s Cold Hand leads us into a transitional space between farewell and the will to depart. Forced stagnation dissolves itself and humanity between the facades of a city.  The programme Summits of Creation asks how we can and want to live. At times, the triumph of nature or of a supra human entity seems to be best for all. Shadowy Existence presents films dealing with the aesthetic and moral implications of perception and visibility. Finally, Perfect Storms brings us the energy of resistance and protest. Against exploitation, violence, marginalisation, and exclusion. And in the end, there is a message of hope in the face of the storm.

Film selection: Anne Jagemann, David Kleingers, Hanna Schneider, Lars Frehse, Nadine Mayer, Philipp Fröhlich