The latest trends in international filmmaking: our competition programmes present recent short films from around the world. The best works will be honoured with prizes at the Award Ceremony on Sunday.
Discover national short filmmaking in the Swiss Competition. We also invite audiences to join us for the Award Ceremony on Sunday – watch live as the jury honours the best films of this year’s festival edition.
With the Sparks programmes, we hope to spark a passion for the medium of short film. Featuring highlights from this year’s competition submissions, the selection offers an excellent introduction to the world of shorts, showcasing a diverse film culture beyond the usual mainstream and YouTube videos.
Kurzfilmtage’s annual Swiss Film School Day is a showcase of Switzerland’s five major undergraduate degree programmes. Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ECAL), the Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD), the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), and the Lucerne School of Art and Design (Video/Animation) present a selection of their recent short films. The jury of the Swiss Competition gives feedback to the students and awards the prize for the Best Swiss School Film. Admission to the Swiss Film School Day is free – a great opportunity to get a first glimpse of Kurzfilmtage!
Canada is an impossibly vast and wildly diverse country. Accordingly, Canadian cinema is highly eclectic, influenced by language, geography, and various cultural communities. The eight curated programmes presented here showcase the complexity of this cinema as well as its evolution through history.
In the early 1990s, Nigerian cinema experienced its first major commercial success. Themes of love, avarice, spirituality, and redemption became the backbone of Nigerian cinematic storytelling, resonating with audiences across the country and continent. Today, young filmmakers infuse some irreverence into those themes, often using short films as the canvas for their exploration. These shorts bear witness to the new generation’s unique ambition and creativity, and they represent a hyper-conscious departure from mainstream Nollywood.
Willy Hans has developed a unique style characterized by his love of experimentation and a talent for blending genres. His films surprise viewers with unexpected twists and intriguing image compositions. In this Focus on Willy Hans, we present his own works as well as films created by the collective consisting of Paul Spengemann, Jan Eichberg, Steffen Goldkamp, and Hans.
Kurzfilmtage’s Industry Events consist of the Swiss Film School Day, the Industry Lab, and the Creators’ Room. They offer film professionals an opportunity for networking and for discussing current issues, creative methods, and aesthetic trends.
Wed–Sat 17:00–23:00 Skills Park opposite Kraftfeld
Outdoor installation
Body language is transferred into virtual reality in an inversion coupled with the real world. With the help of AI-supported performance capture, visitors can control and record various 3D avatars in real time while they are looking down at a virtual version of Lagerplatz via a monitor. In addition, they can change the avatar’s virtual surroundings.
The recordings gradually create an arbitrary, fast montage, which is projected at full height on the wall across from Kraftfeld at night. Thus, the avatars are looking down on their real creators just like the creators are looking down on the virtual Lagerplatz. Light and sound in the outdoor restaurant react to the avatar’s surroundings on the wall.
Pascal Pendl is a digital image technician who works in (digital) set design for film and advertising and as a video technician for events as well as non-commercial clubs and festivals. Devoted to video technology and art, he produces music videos and live visuals – 2D and 3D, live action and CGI, analogue and digital – for his own installations. He has always been committed to a do-it-yourself spirit, so for his projects, he often designs, builds, and programs all the technology, software, and everything in between himself. Pascal also creates videos, visuals, and stage equipment for his two bands, .N3<ØMΔ†Δ. and Butchers of Lassie. Since 2019, he has been running the hyper.space.studio, an experimental film studio in Winterthur, where he explores real-time rendering, especially virtual production.
Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur is Switzerland’s major short film festival. For six days every November, we transform the city into a dynamic short film hub.
Kurzfilmtage offers discoveries for everyone: our thoughtfully compiled thematic programmes address current events or topics that our curators are passionate about. The competition programmes showcase the latest filmmaking from around the globe, while installations, performances, and other specials highlight the diversity of audiovisual forms. And a programme of special events including concerts, readings, and more enhance the festival experience.
A short film is not just a shorter film. Shorts are a distinct art form, which we showcase at our annual festival.
Short films come in all shapes and genres, and how long – or short – they are, varies quite a bit. Simpler production processes allow filmmakers to capture the zeitgeist and quickly respond to trends. Shorts can be entertaining or surprising, they can analyse society, take a political stance, or offer glimpses of worlds unknown to us.
We compile our short films into thematic programmes or specific sections, such as our competitions, paying close attention to the selection and sequence of films in each programme. All you need to enjoy short films is an open mind for new discoveries and surprises.
Competitions
Recent short films from around the world. The best shorts will be presented with awards on Sunday evening.
Hors Concours
Recent short films from Zurich, Switzerland, and around the world screened out of competition.
Main Focus
Films that explore a region, a social phenomenon, or an artistic trend.
Country in Focus
The cinema of a country from contemporary and historical perspectives.
Person in Focus
A spotlight on the work of a filmmaker.
Special Programmes
Short film programmes dedicated to topics that our curators are passionate about – or that are simply fun.
Family Programmes
Short film fun for young viewers aged 6+ and for the whole family.
Expanded Cinema
Installations, performances, and exhibitions present the medium of film in unfamiliar forms.
Special Events
Concerts, parties, readings, and many other events enhance the festival experience.
Talks & Panels
Moderated talks and panels after the screenings offer additional context and insight into films and themes.
Industry Events
A wide range of educational events and networking opportunities.
