Shooting Europe! The European Short Film Festival Three days of screenings and heated discussions, fifty-two movies from eighteen countries (forty-six in competition), around one hundred viewers from thirteen countries - „Shooting Europe!" The European Short Film Festival organised by the European Students' Forum – AEGEE took place between 1st and 5th of May 2005 in Karlsuhe (Germany). The programme consisted of screening movies, discussions with authors and invited guests – professionaly connected with the cinema industry. Participants and movie makers as well as the speakers originated from various European countries which means they represented different cultural backgrounds, different attitudes. This kind of confrontation allowed everyone to see problems, issues showed and discussed in a different light. Each day was devoted to one separate category. After the screenings of movies in competition both the Jury: Ann Dettmar, Michiel van Hees ("AEGEE20"), Josef K. Jünger, Wolfgang Petroll, Jan Schomburg, Betina Szkudlarek ("Cultural Differences in Dialogue" and "Where Do My Rights End?") and the audience were choosing the winners. And the results are as follows: 2.05.2005 'Cultural Differences in Dialogue' – how do you see everyday encounters of different cultures? First prize: "GRIEF" by Daniel Lang (Germany 2004) The Jury wants to give the award for the best film in the section „Cultural differences in dialogue" to a film, which very poetically deals with the difficulty of human communication. Based on a Chechov-Novel Director Daniel Lang tells us the story of Russian immigrant Iona in Berlin, whose son has just died. He desperately searches someone he can share his grief with but no one will listen. After a long night in Berlin, Lang ends his story with an intriguing image, that in its ambivalence seems to be a happy and a tragic end at the same time. The Jury was especially fascinated by the filmmaker's precise feeling for strong poetic images and the sensitive lighting of Berlin by night. An excellent performance of the actors completes the utterly positive impression of the movie. The director shows us that the basis of human cultural exchange is the willingness to communicate, to listen and to understand each other. The award for the best film in the section "Cultural Differences in Dialogue" goes to the film "Grief" by Daniel Lang. Special mention: "MADE IN GERMANY" by Matthias Fritsch and Alex Kröpfl (Germany 2002) The Jury wants to give a special mention to a film, which convinces particularly by its straightforward, consequent and at the same time humorous and entertaining realisation. The film deals with the question, what a country – in this case Germany – would be without imports or influences of other countries and cultures. In a time, in which right winged and neofascist organizations seem to gain more influence again, the film uses intelligent humour to show the absurdity and stupidity of racist ideologies. A special mention of the jury goes to "MADE IN GERMANY". Audience Award: "BIG FREEDOM" by Michael Ruf (Germany 2004) 3.05.2005 'Where Do My Rights End?' – what are your reflections on the respect for human rights today? First prize: "NAME AND NUMBER, PLEASE" by Gorki Glaser-Müller (Sweden 2004) The brutal violation of human rights through organs of a government based on a humane constitution is a disturbing aspect of social organisation. It is especially disturbing, if this happens in one of the so-called "civilized" democratic countries like Sweden. Writer/Director Gorki Glass-Müller in his documentary-style fiction Name & Number carefully analyzes the psychological mechanisms involved on the violators as well as on the victim's side. Technically brilliant with images of sensitive directness, impressively cut and with a touching performance by the entire cast, the jury unanimously chose to give the Award for the Best Film in the section "Human Rights" to the Film "Name and Number" by Gorki Glass-Müller. Special mention: "INVISIBLE" by Linda Dzhakeli (Georgia 2003) The jury finds the film "Invisible" worthy of a special mention as it revealed a deep genderspecific gap in the perception of the Jury. The film is an observation of the problematic situation of women in the rural Azerbaijan Part of Georgia and the serious violation of their human rights. Without commenting them writer/director Liana Dzhakelis weaves statements from men and women of different generations to a clear picture of deeply rooted oppression. While the male fraction had problems in grasping its point, the women in the Jury found the film very precise and convincing. This different reception lead to a one-hour-discussion and the whole Jury agreed that a film evoking such controversial feelings deserves a special mention. Audience Award: "A FAMILY" by Goran Kapetanovic (Sweden 2004) 4.05.2005 'AEGEE20' – what are AEGEE's contributions to European integration? First prize: "THE CD RETURNS" by AEGEE TV (Belgium 2004) The Jury gives the Award for the Best Film in the Section "AEGEE20" to "The CD returns" because it captures the AEGEE group spirit in an ordinary project like cleaning a house. It does so by telling an entertaining story with precise timing, fast pacing and a sensitive feeling for the humour of everyday-situations. The consequent storytelling in this film is outstanding among the selection and convinced the jury to reward the filmmakers with a camera to support further efforts in the field of moviemaking. Special mention: "MEET AGAIN AT THE AGORA" by AEGEE TV (Greece 2002) The Jury wants to give a special mention to film, which very emotionally and charmingly shows us how different members of AEGEE meet again at the Agora. The whole jury liked the simple idea of picturing the happiness of reuniting people from all over Europe thus showing us also what an organisation like AEGEE can do for the understanding between cultures. The ability to combine the magic of cinema with the reality of human emotions makes "Meet again at the Agora" a real feel-good—movie. Audience Award: "GERMAN SPAGHETTI" by Marzena Gawenda (Poland 2005) The social programme every evening gave young directors and specialists as well as the audience opportunity for an informal talk, exchange of ideas and remarks. More information, detailed programme, descriptions of all the movies, catalogue to download: www.aegee.org/moviefestival Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: [log in to unmask] AEGEE is one of Europe's largest interdisciplinary and voluntary student associations, operating without being linked to any political party, promoting a unified Europe, cross-border co-operation, communication and integration in academic environment, and at the same time striving to create an open and tolerant society by involving students and young graduates in valuable projects and discussions over the topics of importance for the communities they live in. It is represented in 260 university cities, in 42 countries all around Europe and has about 17000 members.