Short Film
The Kassel Dokfest shows about 180 to 200 international and current short and mid-length films in program compilations. Each of the 80 to 90 minute programs has a topical focus but is not shy of showing contrasts or opposing positions. The short film compilation’s topical focus is the result of a curatorial handling of the submitted works. For instance: three films from last year’s program (2011) dealing with the aftermath of the severest atomic catastrophes of our time were combined under the title “Half-Life Period” or “Love’s Merry-Go-Round” showed different forms of love and relationships. The topics for the compilation programs are a result of the submitted work – each year anew.
The variety of format and topics is especially great in short and mid-length films. The submitted films and videos (about 2000 every year), which are viewed for the short film programs, show the whole spectrum the Dokfest serves to: from the pointed clip, the short documentary or portrait to experimental forms, which combine fictional and documentary narration and show a strong artistic hand. Also animated works can be submitted and will be programmed with the other genres. (Almost) Everything is of interest – only the classical, narrative fictional short films will not be taken into consideration.
The creative, curative handling of this variety is the trademark of the short film compilations. The selection committee, consisting of six people, promises heterogeneous views on the year’s submissions. The committee members are curators, artists and critics, with diverse interests and backgrounds and they are invited to use this diversity in a constructive manner during the selection process. The constitution of the selection committee varies slightly from year to year, enabling a mixture of continuity and change, which gives new impulses for their work. The committee views films, discusses and programs them – as far as possible – together. An intense process, which usually starts at the End of June and ends with a definite selection of films in Mid-September.