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 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 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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
Vytautas Katkus is a Lithuanian cinematographer and director who has made a name for himself in the international film scene in recent years. Born and raised in Lithuania, Katkus studied at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Drama, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cinematography. His preference for analogue techniques plays a central role in his cinematic language. He likes to add a touch of magical realism to his films, even when their stories and shots are realistic. This allows him to transport his audience into a world that is both familiar and unexpectedly enchanting, while also emphasizing the timeless quality of the analogue.
Katkus has enjoyed considerable festival success with his last three short films. «Community Gardens» («Kolektyviniai sodai») had its world premiere at the Critics’ Week in Cannes in 2019. The film, which explores a father-son relationship during a slow summer, was praised internationally for its subtle narration and visual poetry. The apparent gentleness of the style conceals an underlying, searing intensity. In 2020, Katkus continued his exploration of human relationships with «Places», which screened at the Venice International Film Festival. His most recent success, «Uogos» («Cherries»), was presented in the short film competition at Cannes. Here, Katkus addresses a familial conflict during an encounter between father and son.
Vytautas Katkus uses natural light and a subtle colour palette to evoke specific moods in his films. His thoughtful and often poetic image compositions enhance the emotional depth of the stories. The director describes his approach as follows: «I simply try to use my films to show my emotions, which I feel I need to express somehow. Very often I find it easier to express my feelings about certain things in pictures than by talking to people.» This philosophy permeates his work. In addition to visual storytelling, he is especially interested in silence, which he employs as a powerful aesthetic tool to communicate unspoken emotions. Katkus often considers the absence of conversation more meaningful and expressive than dialogue. His films challenge viewers to explore the deeper layers of meaning and the subtle nuances of life.
Through his collaborations with young Lithuanian directors, Katkus has also made a significant contribution to Lithuanian film as a cinematographer. With his continuous search for innovative approaches and his dedication to the art of cinema, he remains a key figure in the emerging Lithuanian film scene.
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.
