Pragueshorts: International Competition 1

As always, this year’s international competition offers a diverse range of films – twenty-seven entrants from around the world, divided into five blocks. Besides live-action and animated works, new this year is the inclusion of documentary films. As at past editions, audiences can expect a strong Czech contender.

In her previous film, Electra, Student Oscar-winner Daria Kashcheeva once again explores the subject of a girl’s anxiety, this time using a completely different animation technique. Electra premiered at Cannes, as did the next film in this block, a representative of the American independent scene, Lemon Tree. The seemingly insignificant scenes that play out in the Philippines’ Cross My Heart and Hope to Die slowly bring to the surface a mystery that is only revealed with the unexpected conclusion. The unconventional and colorful The Real Truth about the Fight plays with the fluid nature of reality, which always depends on who is telling the story. On the other hand, the environmental animated documentary The Waiting looks at cold hard facts as delicate line drawings become witness to a global tragedy. And sometimes we misunderstand not only others but also ourselves, as Vanina, the main character of the Greek tragicomedy Airhostess-737 – who everybody is worried about because she just got new braces – knows all too well.

The international jury will present one award for Best Film, which comes with a financial prize of 3,000 euros; it will also name two Special Mentions.