FF40: Acceptens

The screening of a series of short films will take place as part of the FAMUFEST 40 festival.

It seems like you’re experiencing some inner turmoil, longing for something you can’t have and missing someone who’s no longer around. You’re reminiscing about the past but feeling disconnected from it. Instead of trying to hold onto it, consider exploring what others are trying to accept and what they refuse to accept. You might realize you’re not alone in your feelings. Allow yourself to be accepted among them.

Sature / Natálie Podešvová, Helena Fikerová / Czech Republic 2023 / 7 min. / no dialogue - Short dance film about inner tension, originating from a conflict between the desire for freedom and the human mind. Our mind is bound by the pre-existing system, but our emotions and desires wander elsewhere. How does the body react to such a conflict? At the beginning of the story, a woman faces a seemingly simple task – to buy groceries for her family. However, the task seems impossible. Will she beat the demands of her environment, or will she surrender?

Pelvic Chain / Marie-Anna Šulc / Czech Republic 2023 / 7 min. / Czech with English subtitles - The dream - of an anarchy of nerves, muscles and tissues, gripped by the shells of institutions and prejudices, but also by the remedies used by contemporary medicine - materializes in a demonstration of the possibilities of controlling a robust motorcycle machine. The diaristic account of the vicissitudes of recovery and the struggle to reconnect with one's own body is also a reflection on the ability to accept and share pain.

Homeward / Olexi Chubun / Czech Republic 2022 / 11 min. / Russian with Czech and English subtitles - When Russia invaded Ukraine, Světlana and her two daughters fled to Czechia. She’s decided to return to the war-torn country. The family wants to spend the fast approaching Christmas together with her husband, who stayed in the Kyiv region. The film is unbiased in capturing their preparation for the risky journey.

Dream / Darja Miková / Czech Republic 2023 / 5 min / no dialogue - Nika moves to a place where he is not the first time. At night he is woken by the sound of a key rattling in the lock. A blinding white light shines from the living room. Someone else is resting where the rocks are. But who?

The Beginning of Spring / Sarah Slavickova / Czech Republic 2023 / 11 min. / Czech with English subtitles - Samuel and Julie, who used to be a couple, now meet after more than a year for the first time. They both finally have lives of their own, but in order to move forward, there's one last thing they have to do – bury their dog, along with their own relationship.

Radio Production / Kryštof Volkman / 2 min. / Czech with English subtitles - A bunch of friends are going to a cabin. One minute thirty five seconds for a micro story with a "punchline and a joke". Original composition with a free assignment, the only condition is: make it sound like it is played on the radio.

*It's not just you / Petr Salaba / Czech Republic 2014 / 8 min. / Czech with English subtitles - Life with haemophilia is not easy. Petr Salaba, the creator of the film It's Not Just You!, knows that. In the film, he looks at his disease with gentle irony and also realizes that he is not alone in the world.

Lights / Jitka Nemikinsová / Czech Republic 2023 / 9 min. / no dialogue - Light bulbs host a coming of age party for small flames, to welcome them to a system, which allows them to shine, while protecting them. One small flame, however, likes to play with fire and revolts.

Separation Season / I-Ju Lin / Czech Republic, Taiwan 2022 / 28 min. / Chinese with Czech and English subtitles - In June, a graduation month, a college graduate Ting experiences a sudden separation from her close cousin Jane. During a series of rituals, Ting tries to defend Jane’s choice against their family and seeks an answer to Jane’s suicide and their life.

Swan Song / Sarah Slavickova / Czech Republic 2023 / 5 min./ without dialogues - How can we tell we’re ready to move on? An older ballet dancer has set out to meet who she used to be on the National Theatre square. The short drama of the director Sarah Slavíčková and cinematographer Daniel Novák tells a story about ageing and bowing to a full stage.

Writing Home / Eva Matejovičová / Czech Republic 2023 / 12 min. / English with Czech subtitles - A little bark beetle girl lives peacefully in a tree in the forest. But when a fire caused by irresponsible people burns the forest to ashes, the little girl loses her hand in the process. She gets lost in a human town and must face the dangerous world of giants alone. Fortunately, she finds refuge in a human school and discovers the joy of a newfound talent - writing, using her new hand as a pencil. She spends a whole year at school, having fun learning, but she misses her family and can't return home alone. But thanks to her talent as a writer, she finds a friend in a human classmate. She is willing to help her.

Running time: 105 min.