Phantom Quartz, 12min., France
Directed by Marc DAVID
Nolan Le, a former DGSE agent, aspires to lead an ordinary life with his daughter after several years of service, but fate intervened differently.

Get to know writer/actor Kahina Benyahia:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
– The dream of playing a Ethan Hunt character
– The will to mix physical, mechanical stunt and camera work into one process.
– The desire to reunite old friends on a project where everyone can give his favourite and best part.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
– 2 years

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
– MISSION POSSIBLE

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
– The hardest part was to be able to reunite all our talented friends together at the same time for 6 days.
– The post production was not an easy thing for me, just because it was my first time being part of the whole process : Colorimetry, sound design, editing…

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
– Surprised to realise that the message went through, the words they used were exactly our purpose while we were creating it.
– Happy by the fact that they notice the camera and action performance relevant to a storyline.
– Proud when they were talking about the performance of the little girl.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
– 2015, MISCELLANEOUS shortcut
We wrote it with Marc and 2 other friends, we were stunt performers at the time and had the same positions that in Phantom Quartz :
Marc was directing and I was performing.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
– Back to the future

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
– By proposing more Action awards like Best Stunt, best fight choreography, best stunt coordinator.
– By inviting us to the festival screening

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
– Kahina, our producer deal perfectly with film freeway and told me that it was very easy and intuitive.

10. What is your favorite meal?
– PHO soup

11. What is next for you? A new film?
– Grow as a stunt supervising company (Stunt Workshop International)
– Phantom Quartz movie

A LIFE BET, 2min., France
Directed by Marwan Tinhougga
As the game reaches its peak, a debate ensues between Amir and Seydou, while Franck, completely inert to the conversation, takes advantage of the situation. During this poker hand, both cunning and majestic, the discussion between the two friends intensifies, creating such an intense atmosphere that it prompts the viewer to reflect on their own values and life choices in a moment of introspection.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to explore the dilemmas and tensions faced by migrants through a metaphorical story, using the poker game as a stage to reflect on identity, survival, and the exploitation of resources.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The project took about 3 months from the initial idea to the final cut, including writing, pre-production, shooting, and editing.

How would you describe your film in two words?

Intense & symbolic.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest challenge was to convey a complex message with very limited time and resources, while keeping the story engaging and accessible.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was deeply touched and grateful. It’s always rewarding to see how viewers interpret and connect with the film’s message.

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and cinema, but I truly realized I wanted to make films when I started acting and felt the urge to create my own stories.

What film have you seen the most in your life?

There isn’t one specific film, but I often revisit classics from different genres, from animation to drama and comedy.

What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Opportunities for networking and in-depth discussions with other filmmakers and industry professionals are always valuable. I also appreciate receiving detailed feedback from both audiences and juries.

You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?

My experience with FilmFreeway has been very positive—it’s user-friendly and makes it easy to submit and track projects internationally.

What is your favorite meal?

I enjoy discovering new cuisines, but I have a soft spot for Moroccan and French dishes.

What is next for you? A new film?

Yes, I’m currently developing a feature-length comedy and continuing to look for new opportunities as an actor, writer, and director.

Bad Chemistry, 20min., USA
Directed by Michael Rognlie, EE Tallent
In Bad Chemistry, a traumatized young woman goes to stay with her deceased boyfriend’s parents, only to discover chilling truths lurking beneath their kindness. This horror short explores grief, psychological torment, and the dark side of family.

https://www.badchemistrymovie.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miromakesmovies/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film? – Bad Chemistry was inspired by a fleeting thought that entered my mind, driving home late one night through a wooded area. An image of a crazed madman running out of the trees with a baseball bat was the catalyst and I built the story around that.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? There were around seven days of production on this film, with about a month of post production.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!? Psychological thriller

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Finding a car to ruin with fake blood.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? It’s always insightful to hear what an audience thinks of your film. Makes you smile when they like it.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? Immediately upon having the idea manifest.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? I’ve probably watched The Shining, Christine, and Casino Royale the most. I guess maybe the National Treasure movies because they are always on TV.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? You all are doing it right, but live screenings are the goal for me.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? Great. Super easy.

10. What is your favorite meal? Rib Eye Steak. Chocolate Chip cookie fresh out of the oven.

11. What is next for you? A new film? A new film which I co-wrote with the lead of Bad Chemistry. “Dotted Line” is slated for production in June 2025.

Another Saturday, 14min., USA
Directed by J.A. DellaRipa
A young teenager decides to enjoy a day of fun with her crush only to return home to find her worst fears realized.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
The increase of mental health struggles especially in young children motivated me to make a film that shows that they are not alone if they have someone in their life struggling with mental health issues. Then the slowing of the industry during the 2023 strike allowed me to use the time to get the cast and crew together to make this film.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I first wrote about this subject in a short story roughly 20 years ago. Over Covid, I turned it into a short script. The script was then nominated at the 2022 City of Angeles Film Festival. A year later with adjustments, we shot in December 2023.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Innocence Lost

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The biggest obstacle was coordinating schedules of the cast and crew in pre and post production. Originally, we scheduled to shoot in October, but due to changes in cast and crew, we had to push the shoot to December.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I felt very proud because the audience’s comments and reactions showed me that the film’s message and vision were understood. I was overwhelmed with joy to hear their compliments about the actors’ deep and authentic performances, the beautiful score, the creative editing, and the quality of the cinematography.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Back in high school, I subscribed to the Turner Classic Movie magazine because I loved reading about the movies of the 30s and 40s. I knew then that I wanted to be a film major in college which was a great experience working both behind and in front of the camara. With a few career detours over the course of my life, I have returned full circle to my first love and interest for film and the creative arts.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
The Outsiders (1983) is one of my most favorite movies that I watch over and over. I first read the book in my 7th grade English class which happened to be the same year the movie came out. Some scenes in my original script paid homage to The Outsiders.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
The whole experience has been so helpful to me as a filmmaker. If any additions would be implemented, I’d suggest a continual pathway to connect to mentors in the industry.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
It was a wonderful experience. The platform is easy to use and all the information about film festivals is easily accessible. All of one’s submissions, deadlines, and reviews are conveniently in one place which helps with multiple submissions and projects.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Lasagna that I make from my Nonna’s recipe.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I am currently working on a documentary about my dad, Luigi DellaRipa who is 90 years old and still works as a tailor.

After the Spread, 3min., Canada, Musical
Directed by Ash K Tysowski
A group of teenagers navigate their night-life, and their emotions, to the song “After the Spread” by “the Idea of machines”

https://www.ashtanimation.com/animation/after-the-spread\

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

This film was a collaboration between myself and the Idea of machines. I was fresh out of college when they approached me to work on “After the Spread” and it’s my first real gig as a professional animator. Full of ambition, I was motivated by the desire to get my work out there, to make a name for myself in the film and animation industry.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

From start to finish this film took me a year to complete. November 2025 to November 2025.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Transformative and hopeful!

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

My biggest obstacle was a poor production choice of my own design. I won’t get into the nitty gritty of the animation process but essentially I left my first pass of animation too rough. It made the whole of animation take much longer than it needed to as I needed to tighten up thousands of drawings. I ended up learning quite a bit from this mistake in the end though so it was all worth it.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Watching the audience’s reactions was very exciting! Before now I’ve only had my work praised by my close friends and family. It was gratifying to be recognized for my creative choices by a wider audience.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I realized I wanted to be an animator, going hand in hand with making films in said medium, when I was in the 9th grade. I watched a lot of cartoons and animated films at the time. Not only was it just an interest of mine but it was something that helped me get through the rougher periods of my adolescence. Animation inspires and comforts me in a way nothing else does and I want to be able to pass that feeling on to someone else through my work.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

The film I’ve seen most in my life would either be the original “The Lion King” or “How to Train Your Dragon”. Both were films I would watch on repeat as a kid and still like to give a rewatch to this day! Both are brilliant films despite their marketing towards a younger audience.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

My experience with this festival has been great! From my limited festival experience so far it seems like it provides more marketing opportunities than most. My only request may be public in person screenings. It was unclear to me whether or not that was something the Experimental, Dance and Music Festival offered.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Filmfreeway has been great! It makes applying to festivals super accessible and makes the process quick and easy!

10. What is your favorite meal?

My favourite meal is probably spaghetti carbonara. I’m always excited for a good creamy pasta!

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Yup! Another film is already in the works. The Idea of machines and I have been in talks to collaborate on another video for their next album, it will serve as a bit of a follow up to After the Spread. So far I’ve got a start on concept art and pre-production for the new project!

FLÜGGE, 25min., Germany
Directed by Leopold Schraudolph, Dani Rose Cortés
In an Austrian mountain village in 1914, the determined Amelie (20) must defy her father’s wishes of running the family sewing business to pursue her own dreams of flight and seize her only chance at finding true freedom.

Get to know filmmaker Finn-Oliver Walter

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The motivation behind “FLÜGGE” came from a deep-seated fascination with aviation and a desire to highlight the largely untold stories of female pioneers in early aviation. Growing up with a pilot father, Leopold’s (Writer, Director, Producer) bedtime stories were filled with epic adventures of heroic aviators. However, Amelia Earhart was the only female aviator represented in these stories. This realization inspired him to explore and celebrate the rich yet vastly underrepresented legacy of women aviators. Through Amelie’s journey – a fictional tale inspired by real-life trailblazers – we aim to shed light on their incredible contributions and the timeless themes of dreams, freedom, and emancipation.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The journey of creating “FLÜGGE” began on October 18, 2022, during initial discussions and culminated in the final master export on July 31, 2024.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

DREAM BIG

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

One of the biggest challenges was balancing historical accuracy and magical storytelling in all aspects of the story.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

This is a movie made for a wide audience, so seeing the positive reactions was incredibly rewarding. We couldn’t stop smiling while watching them!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

After Leopold finished his first LEGO stopmotion animation as a child he showed it his family. In seeing how his small audience reacted to the story, he realized that this was his way of touching and inspiring people – filmmaking had taken a grasp on him. FINN REALIZED MAKING MOVIES MEANT….

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Star Wars, Back to the Future & Harry Potter.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Offering networking opportunities would be incredibly beneficial. Additionally, creating platforms for filmmakers to collaborate on cross-cultural projects could foster creative synergies and expand our storytelling horizons.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Using FilmFreeway has been a seamless and mostly user-friendly experience. It offers a straightforward interface for submitting films and provides access to a diverse range of festivals.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Maultaschen (German dumplings), Dim Sum (Chinese dumplings) & Palak Paneer (Indian spinach dish).

11. What is next for you? A new film?

We’re working on a feature length version of FLÜGGE. To receive updates on the future developments of this project, send us a mail and we’ll add you to our mailer: info@willitgrain.com

Sofia Portanet – Lust feat., 3min., France/Germany, Musical
Directed by Béla Baptiste
Lust delves into themes of love, passion, self-doubt, depression, and healing. The song expresses the longing for closeness and the desire to heal someone through kisses and love. When we feel unwell, we often withdraw and isolate ourselves, making it difficult to let someone in—both emotionally and physically. Allowing oneself to be held, to be loved, and to surrender in another’s arms requires courage and a willingness to open up. Though not always easy, there is beauty in being truly seen for who we are, beyond self-doubt and difficult times.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Sofia and I are long time friends (we actually dated back when we were 15…) – I love her music and we kept wanting to work together but an ocean separates us (she’s in Berlin, I’m in New York) – one day I said I’ll be in Paris and she said: I’ll come down I have a song you might like.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took about a month – a deadline was due, which helps in terms of procrastination

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Love Thyself

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
It was raining – which was great for a free wet down and cool lens effects but I also needed to protect the camera…

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I thought: damn that’s so nice – I’ve never since that in a festival. We are used to read textes but seing actual faces makes it so much more touching!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I grew up in an artistic environment but I was used to be in front of the camera/stage – only after 2 car crashes and resulting panic attacks I had to take a deeper look at my path and realized I want MAKE them as in behind the camera. I was 21.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
If you mean in the sense of THE ONE MOVIE I have seen the most I would go with Dumbo.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I think communication is always everything. I appreciate when festivals help fellow filmmakers in giving them plattforms. We live in a world where the artists also need to be promoters, marketing specialist and sales agents – it helps a lot when someone helps in that part.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
I remember my father and his friends needing to submit in the 90’s – that was giant pain in the coffee cupholder! So platforms like filmfreeway really helped the democratisation of submitting –

10. What is your favorite meal?
That’s simple: Schnitzl

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I’m in pre-production of a feature: a dark comedy adapted from a stage play.

FRAGILE, 3min., Germany, Experimental
Directed by Lucas Buchholz, Bernd Brink
Every day, millions of packages are shipped, billions of messages are sent—our world seems more connected than ever. Even in the most remote corners of the planet, we are within reach. But have we truly come closer to one another?

Get to know filmmakers Lucas Buchholz + Bernd Brink:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

FRAGILE is the second part of a free audiovisual project by Weissraum. In electronic sound and vision we approach the topics of our time that concern us. FRAGILE (https://youtu.be/g-eE1hkR2T4) is about how aware we are of what we send – wether words, goods, or signals.
With our first piece RE, we focused on overconsumption and plastic waste. Click here for the clip RE, the first part of our series – a multiple award winner: https://youtu.be/qnXTpaTe5F0

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The initial idea came about years ago when we found the head of “Lilli”, the blonde mannequin, at a flea market. The production of the movie itself took about eight months. During this time, we also produced the soundtrack, which gives our film its emotional depth.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Handle Carefully!

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

99% of all images and motion sequences were generated with AI, but all editing and cutting was done manually. This was done to ensure that every single part was absolutely as we intended. Learning: Using AI doesn’t mean it’s faster – it’s just a different approach. What’s new is that there are no (material) limits to the imagination.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Wow, how cool – it seems like people are feeling, thinking and reacting to our movie the way we hoped they would.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

It’s always been a part of our work in communication design. Please also check our WS: weissraum.de

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Blade Runner Parts one and two.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

The bigger the audience, the better. It’s important for us to reach as many people as possible. But for now, we are very satisfied with your festival.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

It is very convenient and easy to use. We really appreciate working with it. And it’s nice that we often get direct invitations and even more favorable offers from festivals.

10. What is your favorite meal?

We love italian pasta – in many different ways.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Yes! The third, fourth and fifth parts of our film concept are already in the works at the same time. The aim is to give our individual films a larger whole. When we have finished the next parts of the entire concept material, we will let you know. Until then, thank you again for featuring us here.