Student Shorts IN COMPETITION

A composer attempts to unravel the memories of his relationship with his classical singer ex-boyfriend. Blending lyrical visuals and poetry by Carol Ann Duffy with a lush orchestral score, Give takes the viewer on a journey through the mind of the composer.

On a surfing trip, a female couple with an age difference attempts to navigate their uncertain relationship. Yet after an unexpected change in circumstance, they each begin to see themselves and their relationship in a new light.

Rafael and his friends reign supreme in a world dominated by masculinity and casual sex. One of these hookups leads to a passionate but brief encounter with Alex and a moment of intimacy arises between them. However, when Alex shares an intimate moment with another man, Rafael grapples with his own desires and fears, torn between two worlds.

For 17-year-old Johanna, a vacation in idyllic Piecht is anything but relaxing. While her mother dreams of an ecological alternative life, a real nightmare unfolds for Johanna as she is confronted with a far-right community and their backwards ideas. She bravely tries to get to the bottom of what is happening, but encounters brutal resistance.

October 12, 2022 – a terrorist attack in Bratislava – the death of innocent LGBTI+ people – no political response. Film-requiem discusses the deteriorating state of society after the attack, as well as the intimate feelings of LGBTI+ people, including the author himself. A rotten well poisons society’s opinions, which do not improve even after the attack. Do people really need to live in fear?

The film explores the themes of love, grief, acceptance, and resilience within queer identities. Through Inaaya, the narrative unravels emotions in the face of life-altering loss. She wakes up every day, grieving the suicide of her partner, Shaayra, and the life she thought she once had.