DUFF 2025 – OPEN / EXPERIMENTAL CATEGORY

A Place That is Not Up For Sale Yet

Liza Kuznetsova, Matyáš Novák; SPŠG Hellichova, Češka/Njemačka 

Short film, composed entirely of analog photographs on 35mm film, is a visual essay on Berlin—a city pulsing with history and contemporary identity. Through fragments of streets, faces, and neon reflections, authors explore ego, belonging, and the search for one’s place in the world.

“In this poetic-associative presentation, the authors successfully convey emotions by combining photographs, words, and sound effects. They play wonderfully with the rhythm of words and sounds, at times creating a musical effect. Through contemplative storytelling, the viewer is immersed in a personal world of thoughts and experiences.”

Barracuda

Izzy Dalton; ELF Emerging Limerick Filmmakers, Ireland

Jack realises his fish are slowly disappearing one by one. His younger brother Andrew is acting strangely at night.

“An interesting and atmospheric horror. Suggestively directed and filmed with excellent actors.”

Dog’s Life

Vinka Škrobica; Slatine Primary School, Croatia

Laura and Vinka explore the world from the perspective of ants and offer an allegorical view of nature, showing how every movement and moment is important in everyday life. The sound creates the atmosphere and, like the title, prompts us to reflect on what the film is really about.

“An interesting concept and idea from young authors. Although the film has technical flaws, it is an excellent experimental work for their age, which is why it deserves to be shown.”

Full Moon Party

Group; Incubatorul de Animație, Romania

What does an underground full moon themed party look like on an alien planet? What if all the party people have their own party and we get to attend all of them?

“Sound, image, and the dynamics of the depicted situations, along with the characters, colours, and expressive settings, make this short experimental film a very original work.”

Killing Marko

Elena Matlekovic; Blank Film Incubator, Croatia

An unexpected revelation shatters Andrea’s world. Consumed by imagined outcomes, her hatred grows stronger.

“The film skilfully portrays the protagonist’s emotional disintegration through nonlinear editing. Editing is not just a technical tool here, but a key storytelling element. Excellent.”

Macadamia

Sultan Bagas Yuwana; Independent, Indonesia

In this absurd and frustrating struggle, the movie illustrates how sometimes despite our best efforts, the expected results don’t match the reality, leaving the main character with an upset yet touching cry.

“An above-average directed miniature about obsession.”

The Providence of Becoming

Anthony Abduh; Saint Joseph University – IESAV, Lebanon

In 1956, a young boy named Feris Abou Shaaya teased his crush, Abir, while she was hanging clothes in nature. Little did he know that their time together would be tragically cut … My grandfather vividly recalls his last moment of youth with my grandmother through his poignant poetry.

“A beautifully shot experimental feature film, crafted with great maturity.”