SHORT FILMS, BIG STORIES

Gunnur Martinsdóttir Schlüter is an Icelandic-German filmmaker and actress based in Reykjavík. Her short film Fár received a Special Mention at the Festival de Cannes 2023. She explores empathy, absurdity, and disconnection with poetic precision. Gunnur is emerging as a voice in Nordic cinema.

Raymund Ribay Gutierrez is a Filipino director known for bold, socially driven films. He won the Venice Orizzonti Jury Prize in 2019 with Verdict, and premiered Imago and Judgement at the Festival de Cannes in 2016 and 2018. His work explores justice and human resilience with intensity.

Helena Brooks is an Australian director known for her sharp wit and cinematic storytelling. Her short Nothing Special was selected for the Festival de Cannes in 2005. She has since worked across award-winning film and TV. Her work blends emotional depth with dark humor.

Javier Palleiro is a Uruguayan director known for subtle, emotionally rich storytelling. His film Buen Viaje was selected for the Festival de Cannes in 2008. He crafts intimate, thoughtful films deeply grounded in everyday human experience. His work continues to resonate widely within Latin American cinema.

Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk is a Ukrainian director exploring realism and cultural symbolism. His short Liturgy of Anti-Tank Obstacles premiered at Sundance in 2023, following Pamfir at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2022. His films are poetic reflections of Ukraine’s landscape. He’s a rising voice in Eastern European cinema.

Erenik Beqiri is an Albanian filmmaker known for raw, intense storytelling. He won Best Short Film at the Venice Film Festival in 2023 with A Short Trip, and screened The Van at the Festival de Cannes in 2019. His work often deals with masculinity, identity, and power. Erenik brings a visceral edge to European short cinema.

Lucía Florez is a Peruvian director focused on Indigenous narratives and environmental themes. Her documentary Shirampari: Legacies of the River premiered at Sundance in 2022. She offers an immersive look at underrepresented cultures. Lucía is a vital voice in Latin American cinema.

Elżbieta Bęnkowska is a Polish director telling emotionally intense, character-driven stories. Her short Olena premiered at the Festival de Cannes in 2013. Her films deeply explore youth, trauma, and transformation. She is part of a new wave of strong Eastern European filmmakers.

Dániel Erdélyi is a Hungarian director who experiments with form and structure. His short 411-Z was selected for the Festival de Cannes in 2008, introducing his visually inventive style. Erdélyi’s films often deal with perception, isolation, and the unseen forces shaping our lives.

Daria Kashcheeva is a Czech animator blending expressive visuals with emotional storytelling. Her film Daughter premiered at Sundance in 2020, earning acclaim. Known for handcrafted techniques, she explores memory and vulnerability. Daria is a standout in animation.

Carla Melo Gampert is a Colombian director with a bold and intimate visual voice. Her short La Perra was selected for the Festival de Cannes in 2023. She explores themes of identity and femininity with raw honesty. Carla represents a new generation of Latin American storytellers.

Karni Arieli and Saul Freed are a UK-based duo creating imaginative, visually rich narrative films. Their short Wild Summon was part of the Festival de Cannes in 2023. They blend magical realism with grounded emotion. Their work stands out for its innovation and heart.