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Date Sections Locations

International Competition

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.

International Competition I:
Fires of Rebellion

International Competition II:
Dreams Are My Reality

International Competition III:
I Lost Myself

International Competition IV:
We Can Be Heroes

International Competition V:
On the Edge

International Competition VI:
The Journey We Take

International Competition VII:
The World Is Burning Quietly Tonight

International Competition VIII:
Paradise Lost

International Competition IX:
I Want a Perfect Soul

Swiss Competition

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.

Swiss Competition I:
Gestern, heute und nie

Swiss Competition II:
In Räumen dazwischen…

Swiss Competition III:
Augen auf und durch

Swiss Competition IV:
Wer lange sucht

Sparks

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 mainstream and YouTube videos.

Swiss Film School Day

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 Design, Film and Art – Video/Animation present a selection of their recent short films. The jury of the Swiss competition conducts a Q&A with the students, offers insights from the industry, 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!

Swiss Film School Day:
Session I

Swiss Film School Day:
Session II

Swiss Film School Day:
Session III

Swiss Film School Day:
Session IV

Main Focus:
Beyond the Frame

For the Main Focus, Kurzfilmtage has teamed up with the Oskar Reinhart Collection «Am Römerholz». Works from the collection serve as inspiration for six short film programmes: Beyond the Frame presents a visual journey across media, prompting reflection on the social value of art and promoting an understanding of cultural diversity and artistic expression. The programmes also aim to spark a dialogue that reaches far beyond the timeframe of the works.

Landscapes of the Mind

I Want to Break Free

He's Got the Look

Ghosts of Objects

Country in Focus:
Egypt

Egypt is a country of superlatives. Not only does it look back on millennia of cultural history, it also has one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas – the megacity of Cairo – and the longest river on the planet. As soon as cinema was invented, Egyptians began making movies. The film industry on the Nile started booming in 1896, and by the mid-20th century, it was the country’s biggest economic sector next to the cotton industry. In this context, short films have always offered a measure of freedom.

Who You Are to Me

Person in Focus:
Vytautas Katkus

Vytautas Katkus is a Lithuanian cinematographer and director who has made a name for himself in the international film scene in recent years. He adds a touch of magical realism to his films, even when their stories and shots are realistic. With his continuous search for innovative approaches and his dedication to the art of cinema, he regularly transports audiences into a world that is both familiar and unexpectedly enchanting. Our Focus on Vytautas Katkus presents his own works as a director as well as collaborations in which he was behind the camera as a cinematographer.

The Man in the Director's Chair

The Man Behind the Camera

Masterclass Vytautas Katkus

Hors Concours

This section showcases recent short films from Zurich, Switzerland, and around the world screened out of competition. For short film buffs who are unafraid of strange or profound works with cult potential – discover some rare finds from our treasure chest!

Best-of European Film Awards

Kill Your Darlings

Special Programmes

This section compiles programmes on topics that our curators are passionate about or that are simply fun. Alternative pornography, relationships in all their – sometimes surprising – varieties, a humorous splatter programme, and historic commissioned works from Switzerland: there’s a lot discover in these programmes!

Like Me, Love Me, Fuck Me

Murder Is a Sport

100 Years of Praesens-Film:
Switzerland in Commissioned Films

Family Programmes

Stories for children aged 6+ kindle curiosity, empathy, and creativity, eliciting a sense of wonder. And our selection of serious, amusing, and exciting movies for kids aged 9+ inspires discussion, offering families a great introduction to the universe of short film. In collaboration with the Magic Lantern, Kurzfilmtage offers a unique filmgoing experience for young viewers and their families.

Magic Lantern:
Shorts for Kids

Family Workshop:
Stop-Motion & Pixilation

Gala-Events

Our gala events are festive occasions with moderators, guests, and screenings. Together with our filmmakers, audiences, and partners, we celebrate the art of short film, once again proving that shorts are made for the big screen.

Opening Programme

And the Winners Are... I

And the Winners Are… II

Music & Parties

From the cinema to the dance floor: Kuzfilmtage also offers a musical programme with live bands and DJs. Concerts and parties – including our legendary closing party – round off the festival experience. In collaboration with Kraftfeld, we have again curated a delicious programme for night owls. Come, listen, dance!

Party:
Rastapopoulos & Lost Lobos

Concert:
Bahnhofbuffet Chancental (CH) & Party

Concert:
Citron Citron (CH) & Party

Party:
Das Gemunkel, Lisbird & Nätsch b2b Alineklusiv

Workshops & Other Events

Events that let you dive even deeper into the world of short film.

Memoriav-Workshop:
conserving Films

Meet the Artist:
Maryam Tafakory

Radio Stadtfilter Talk

Coucou Reads Cinema

Guided Tour:
Collection Oskar Reinhart «Am Römerholz»

Industry Events

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.

Industry Screenings

International Competition IV:
We Can Be Heroes

7.11.2024, 20:45, Maxx 5
EN UT + Q&A

9.11.2024, 14:00, Maxx 2
EN UT + Q&A

Display Content Notes

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.

Part of:

International Competition

2006
Gabriella Choueifaty / France/Lebanon 2024 / 23'55" / colour / French/Arabic / Fic

In 2006, as Israeli shells relentlessly rain down on Beirut, Sariah (13), her older sister Nayla, and their mother take refuge in the mountains, making sure not to mention the war raging in Lebanon. Sharp tensions between the three women soon resurface, and the rivalry between the two sisters escalates when Nayla's boyfriend pays her a visit.

Radikals
Arvin Belarmino / Philippines 2024 / 20'38" / colour / Filipino / Fic

A young rookie from a bizarre chicken-dance group faces a heckler after being the worst dancer at a performance. This leads to a series of strange events that reveal what the group does to their weakest link.

The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
Nebojša Slijepčević / Bulgaria/Slovenia/France/Croatia 2024 / 13'42" / colour / Croatian / Fic

27 February 1993, Strpci, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A passenger train from Belgrade to Bar is stopped by paramilitary forces in an ethnic cleansing operation. As they haul off innocent civilians, only one man out of 500 passengers dares to stand up to them. This is the true story of a man who could not remain silent.

Kawauso
Akihito Izuhara / Japan 2023 / 15'22" / black & white / Japanese / Ani

«Kawauso» means river otter in Japanese. One day, a girl meets a Japanese river otter. They try to communicate, but it doesn't go well. This is because the Japanese river otter is already extinct and cannot interact with the girl. By depicting the Japanese river otter, which is said to have become extinct in 2012, this short film presents an opportunity to reconsider what modern society has sacrificed.

More programmes:
International Competition I: Fires of Rebellion International Competition II: Dreams Are My Reality International Competition III: I Lost Myself International Competition IV: We Can Be Heroes International Competition V: On the Edge International Competition VI: The Journey We Take International Competition VII: The World Is Burning Quietly Tonight International Competition VIII: Paradise Lost International Competition IX: I Want a Perfect Soul

Kawauso

Director:

Akihito Izuhara

Born in the Gifu Prefecture of Japan in 1964, Akihito Izuhara has created interactive work and video installations since 1990. in 1996, he launched Studio Mangosteen with Ikuko Mizokami and has been making short animations since 2005. «The Song of Red Forest», «Li.Li.Ta.Al», and «Vita Lakamaya» screened at Berlinale. «Kawauso» won the Japan Premier Award at the Sapporo International Short Film Festival and was nominated at Berlinale in 2024.

Screenwriter:

Akihito Izuhara

Ikuko MIzokami

Editor:

Akihito Izuhara

Animator:

Akihito Izuhara

Sound:

Tetsuro Nishi

Composer:

Soragoro Uwanosuke

Producer:

Akihito Izuhara

Programme

The Festival

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.

Programme of the 28th Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur (archive)

Short Films

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.