Kurzfilmwettbewerb: Hold Me Closer

Content warning: Self harm

The Cutest and Funniest Animals in the World
Renato Sircilli, Brazil 2022, 24’ (Portuguese/e), fiction
Jorge is 70 years old and is one of the most capricious and dedicated janitors at the Paradise Motel, except for a single detail: He secretly records the audios of the room’s guests. Selling these audios to Alberto earns him an extra income as well as affection, even though Jorge no longer remembers what his own pleasure sounds like.

Thick Skin
Inès Arsi, Tunisia 2022, 6’ (Arabic/e), documentary
Defining yourself means limiting yourself. Ahmed, a young Tunisian artist, transcends norms and goes beyond the labels. For only one purpose : to live as his soul dictates.

Will You Look At Me
Shuli Huang, China 2022, 20’ (Mandarin/e), documentary

As a young Chinese filmmaker returns to his hometown in search of himself, a long due conversation with his mother dives the two of them into a quest for acceptance and love.

Friendship
José Luis Isoard Arrubarrena, Mexico 2023, 7’ (Spanish/e), fiction
Oswaldo and Biaani used to be friends, but their friendship got distant after Biaani became a Muxe —who are considered a third gender in Zapotec culture. When Oswaldo comes to her asking for help —poaching turtle nests for extra income— their old friendship is rekindled.

Rather Without
Tjanne van der Sanden, Amber IJpelaar, Netherlands 2022, 19’ (Dutch/e), documentary
Sex is everywhere. How is this for someone who does not experience sexual attraction? Rather Without follows Tessa, a young woman who identifies herself within the asexual spectrum, in her search for self-acceptance within her sexuality.

A Pearl In the Ocean
Vasundhara Jadhav, India 2022, 13’ (Bengali, English, Hindi/e), documentary
A documentary about Tushar Roy, a confident 19-year old, homosexual boy who likes to belly dance.