Editor

Of the 7,000 short films entered to this year’s festival from all over the world, only the best will make it to the big screen from 15 - 20 November 2011! Over six days, the short film festival will show 450 shorts in 50 programmes, 6 competitions and 7 cinemas.

Prizes amounting to 40,000 euro will be conferred in the International Competitions, Confrontations programme, Documentary Competition, German Competition, Viral Video Award and Eject.

The Opening Night of the festival will be held on 15 November at the Volksbühne theatre, and the Award Ceremony on 20 November at the Babylon cinema. Further locations include the Passage cinema in Neukölln, Central-Kino and Roter and Grüner Salons at the Volksbühne. KUKI, the 4th International Short Film Festival for Children and Youth will take place from 13 - 20 November at FaF - Filmtheater am Friedrichshain.

Content-wise, the first Foreign Focus sees interfilm venture into Asia’s short film scene: East by South East is the title of the programme, a reference that alludes to the direction of an entire region as a characteristic rather than as a fixed-point, an area of constant and practically unrivalled transition. What defines life there that the West takes for granted? From the rhythm of village life to the oppressive topography of Asian mega cities this programme strives to shatter preconceptions regarding Asian culture and open audience’s eyes. Even Asian animation films won’t be left out – this time from Taiwan and China: In a “live film lecture” Prof. Rolf Giesen (President of the International Animation, Comic & Games Museum in Changchun) will show and expand on the highlights of the current Chinese animation boom.

The second Foreign Focus “Heidi Revisited” is an exquisite selection of short film treats from Switzerland, presented in cooperation with prominent Swiss film festivals: Comprising classics and newcomers in a wild language-mix that celebrates misfits, endless babble and the deconstruction of every single Heidi cliché. The audience will pay witness to the human and bestial abysms often concealed in the pristine Alps; see an overweight cow transformed into an orchestra stage; experience atomic shelters as idyllic homes and be entertained by comical shorts bursting with fortissimo.

This year’s Environmental Focus hones in on the global dilemma between nature and humankind. High Energy, Food/Consumption and Cities/Vision: In these programmes fiction, animation and documentary films condense controversial themes in an ironic, intense and sometimes narratively bizarre way. This special focus aims for the heart with powerful cinematic works.

Expect a highly diverse selection of interfilm Treats this year:

Metropolis: Istanbul: Two seas, two continents, the legacy of several empires – a unique cultural phenomenon and its complexity throughout the ages.

At Reality Bites the world is turned upside-down! While scientists are busy putting the limits of gravity to the test in rollercoaster rides, elsewhere, an alien becomes a father.

Berlin Beats makes the rhythm of the city tangible and Bike Shorts shows that bicycles are no longer mere modes of transportation; they express an attitude towards life!

In Critically Short a group of Berlin film journalists present and expound on their all-time favourite short films.

During festival week, film + fertig will send five film crews out into the city. The finished shorts will subsequently receive their just deserts in an audience competition.

The highlight this year is once again ShortFriday on 18 November: The entire Volksbühne building will be bursting with interaction. Filmmakers can present their (un)finished work at Pitch me! and Your Screen. The Sound & Vision concert-screening delivers the ultimate musical highlight: Short films will have their sound turned off and be given new, live soundtracks from musicians, DJs and sound artists. The winner of the Viral Video Award will be announced and the evening will be crowned by the spectacularly unforgettable eject – the Long Night of Odd Films!