Unveiling Cinematic Gems: 81st Venice Film Festival's Orizzonti Short Films Line-Up Revealed!
© Venice Biennale
The 81st Venice International Film Festival, a prestigious event organized by La Biennale di Venezia and directed by Alberto Barbera, is set to take place from August 28 to September 7, 2024. Among the various categories, the Orizzonti Short Films International Competition stands out with its selection of 13 short films from 16 different countries, each vying for the coveted Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film.
This year's line-up showcases a diverse array of stories and styles, reflecting the global nature of contemporary cinema. The competition includes:
1. Neredeyse Kesinlikle Yanlış (Almost Certainly False) by Cansu Baydar from Turkey. A 20-minute film featuring Rahaf Armanazi, İsa Karataş, Ferhat Akgün, Büşra Albayrak, and Ubey Gül.
2. Shadows by Rand Beiruty, an 11-minute animation from France and Jordan.
3. Il Burattino e la Balena by Roberto Catani, an 8-minute animation co-produced by France and Italy.
4. Duyao Mao (The Poison Cat) by Tian Guan from China, a 17-minute film starring Liguo Yuan and Yanxi Li.
5. Nime Baz, Nime Basteh (Ajar) by Atefeh Jalali from Iran, a 12-minute film with Ebrahim Azizi and Masoomeh Iranshahi.
6. Three Keenings by Oliver McGoldrick from the UK, Ireland, and the USA, a 10-minute film featuring Seamus O’Hara, Sean Kearns, Carol Moore, Caitriona Hinds, and Niall Cusack.
7. Minha Mãe é Uma Vaca (My Mother is a Cow) by Moara Passoni from Brazil, a 15-minute film starring Luísa Bastos, Helena Albergaria, Amorosa No, Ana Carolina Guztazaky, and Claudio Rodrigues da Silva.
8. René Va alla Guerra by Mariachiara Pernisa, Luca Ferri, and Morgan Menegazzo, an 18-minute documentary from Italy and Slovenia.
9. James by Andres Rodríguez from Guatemala and Mexico, a 20-minute film with James Maldonado, Jose Poz, and Erick Maldonado.
10. O by Rúnar Rúnarsson from Iceland and Sweden, a 20-minute film starring Ingvar E. Sigurðsson.
11. Who Loves the Sun by Arshia Shakiba from Canada, a 19-minute documentary.
12. Moon Lake by Jeannie Sui Wonders from the USA, a 12-minute film featuring Grace Hunt Sui, Chase Sui Wonders, Riley Downey, Valeria Embarcadero Perez, Daphne Williams, and Sophie Watson.
13. Marion by Joe Weiland and Finn Constantine from France and the UK, a 13-minute film with Caroline Noguès-Larbère, Radouan Leflahi, Laurent Fernandez, Manuel Severi, and Chloé Bugard.
The Orizzonti section, dedicated to showcasing the latest trends in world cinema, promises a captivating array of short films that will debut at the festival. The selection highlights the creativity and diversity of filmmakers from around the globe, offering audiences a chance to experience unique narratives and innovative cinematic techniques.