Five GSF’s Films in Competition of the Seoul International Short Film Festival
Five GSF recent films will take part in various competitive sections of the forthcoming Seoul International Short Film Festival 2024: Mikołaj Janik’s “The Mandala”, Yulia Yukhymets‘ ”In Heaven and on Earth”, Diana Szczotka’s “Transgression” and “Haven”, and Lulu Pomorova’s “Everything for My Friend”. The festival’s presentations will take place between October 20th – 30th.
“The Mandala” by Mikołaj Janik to be shown in the Student Films section, in a thriller convention tells a story of a mother and son struggling with a loss. The film has been earlier awarded at the Polish prestigious festivals in Koszalin for the best cinematography and with the Audience Prize in Sopot, and has been also shown within the NY New Filmmakers, Friss Huss ISFF in Budapest, the Ravenheart FF in Oslo, and the Busan Inter-City FF.
Awarded with the Best Film Prize at the Cine Nova FF in Lisbon and with the Best B&W Film in the Bratislava International Film Awards competition, and earlier shown in India, Iran, France and Spain, ”In Heaven and on Earth” is an experimental short featuring 11-year-old Tosia and her 6-year-old brother Kajtek trying to cope with the family’s tragedy. The film will take part in the Experimental Film competition.
”Transgression” – one of the two films directed by Diana Szczotka – will take part in the LGBT Films section. Awarded earlier at the Porto Femme FF, and shown at numerous festivals in Poland, as well as in Finland, Canada and Spain, the film is a dance club love story, which unexpectedly brings in a confrontation of one’s deepest convictions with overwhelming desires.
”Haven” another film directed by Diana Szczotka has had the world premiere in documentary film competition of this year’s OFF-Odense FF in Denmark. The doc focuses on Nastya and Ira, who are staying at a temporary accommodation center for refugees from Ukraine in early 2022. The haven in Gdynia becomes not only a refuge, but also a time for reflection. It prompts them to ponder whether people are the smiths of their fate or are they subject to unpredictable events over which they have no control.
Presented earlier in Portugal, Finland, Mexico, Spain, India, the US and Columbia, and awarded in Bratislava with the Best Student Film Prize, ”Everything for My Friend” will be featured in the “In the Name of Women’s Rights” competition. The short follows a friendship of two women at a crucial point of transition between artistic school and professional life. The two friends face a choice whether to support or compete against each other.
More information about the festival: www.seoulshortfilmfestival.com
