International Competition 4

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.

The French film Oyu patiently delves into the clouds of steam and scattered conversations at a rural Japanese public bath on the last day of the year. By comparison, the animated film A Kind of Testament, which begins with the theft of a woman’s selfies before giving the imagination free rein, is a powerful commentary on the present day. The protagonist of the magically gentle and personal animated film The Miracle tries to enjoy herself on an all-inclusive vacation even as her surroundings make it difficult for her to do so. Shot by an Oscar-winning duo of Irish filmmakers, Golden West brilliantly plays with its genre as it works its way through an unusual storyline towards a shocking finale. And our block of films concludes with Bye Bye, Bowser, a wild and cheeky Austrian musical tragicomedy about an unusual flirtation.

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.