With this programme, we hope to spark a passion for the medium of short film. The shorts in Sparks I represent a broad range of current filmmaking. The selection is meant to appeal to multigenerational audiences and inspire discussion.
Fledge
Hani Dombe/Tom Kouris / France/Israel 2021 / 15'25" / DCP / colour / Russian/Hebrew / Ani
A fable about Russian immigration to Israel in the 1990s. Elina lives with her grandmother in a small desert town. She tries to fit in with her peers, despite a familial tendency to grow feathers, leading her to question where she belongs.
Crushed
Ella Rocca / Switzerland 2022 / 7'56" / DCP / colour / Swiss German/English / Doc
The filmmaker is hopelessly in love – again. It's time to confront their crushes. They explore the unrequited desire in a thoughtful and self-ironic manner. On their desktop, imagination and reality blend into a surprising experience.
Tsutsué
Amartei Armar / France/Ghana 2022 / 15'35" / DCP / colour / Ga / Fic
In a small Ghanaian town at the edge of a large landfill site that spills into the ocean, the sons of a fisherman, Sowah and Okai, struggle to cope with the loss of their eldest brother who drowned during a fishing expedition. Haunted by his demise, Okai believes their brother is still out there…
Au revoir Jérôme !
Adam Sillard/Chloé Farr/Gabrielle Selnet / France 2021 / 7'44" / DCP / colour / French / Ani/Fic
After arriving in paradise, Jérôme sets out to find his wife, Maryline. In the course of his search, he sinks into a surreal and colourful world, where no one seems to be able to help him.
Datsun
Mark Albiston / New Zealand 2021 / 15' / DCP / colour / English / Fic
A fourteen-year-old boy, whose Mum plans on selling his deceased Dad’s Datsun, decides to take his best friend and his little brother on one last joyride.
Jules & I
Anne Ballon / Belgium 2021 / 16'12" / DCP / colour / Dutch / Doc
An intimate portrait of teenager Roos, who is struggling with the transition of her transgender sister Jules. A coming-of-age film set during a time when nothing seems to be simple. Through Roos, we understand how enriching, crazy, and sometimes lonely the transition process can be.
The Invention of Less
Noah Erni / Switzerland 2021 / 3'3" / DCP / colour / English / Fic/Ani
In 2031, due to global warming, a young polar bear has to leave her home and moves to Zurich. Together with the other animals who have fled, she ekes out a living with odd jobs. But then she has a world-changing idea!