HARD:LINE International Film Festival Announces 2020 Short Films Selection
Josh Millican
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The annual HARD:LINE International Film Festival will be bringing extreme cinema from around the world to Regensburg, Germany in 2020. Horror films, thrillers and science fiction will wrap their shadowy hands around Ostentor Kino as well as living rooms of fans in Germany from the 23rd until the 27th of September. Due to the danger of a possible second wave of infections, the HARD:LINE team has decided to take the unusual step of being the first Regensburg based film festival to also offer the festival program as an internet stream.
“Corona is a real threat that must be taken seriously. As a festival, we are responsible for the safety of our guests,” says Florian Scheuerer, Festival Director.
The team around festival director Florian Scheuerer has been working since February on the planning of the event. The festival gathers over 3000 people on the eastern side of Regensburg and results in simultaneous groups of up to 1000 people on the festival grounds. The festival is therefore classified as a larger event. Such an event would be forbidden until the 31st of August and thereafter only possible on the conditions that specific preventative measures are carried out. In reaction to this, the festival organizers have weighed various options and, in coordination with sponsors, supporters and partners, have found a possible solution.
“This year, a film festival like ours is only possible with massive restrictions that should nevertheless impact film lovers as little as possible,” Scheuerer explains.
A foundational limitation is that each screening is limited to only 50 people. Due to contact-tracing requirements, these seats will only be available to those with festival passes. An hour between each screening is also required to allow for adequate ventilation. The festival is therefore reducing its program to 10 feature films and 2 blocks of short films. The remaining seats in the theater will then be distributed virtually. Copyright protection will be maintained by the use of an internationally recognized platform that operates to the highest and most demanding standards. In cooperation with Festival Scope and Shift 72, every film will be made available to ticket holders to stream for the 24 hours following the theater screening. A maximum of 100 virtual tickets for each film will be made available. Aftershow parties and special festival guests will unfortunately have to wait until next year.
“Even with Corona starting a new era for cultural events resulting in us having to run our festival much differently this year, HARD:LINE will remain a cinematic experience,” Scheuerer continues.
As a hybrid festival HARD:LINE is going in new directions and, even in 2020, wants to give all film lovers the possibility to enjoy extreme cinema. This year may be different, but festivals have the responsibility to gather people together in a theater to enjoy film in the best possible manner; as a shared experience. This experience is doubly important for cinema’s fringe genres of horror, thriller and sci-fi. The festival team sees it as its duty to present a festival that serves both sides of the cinema equation, namely the film viewer and the film maker. The team is ready to do what can be done in the face of this corona monster. And after it has been defeated, film lovers can laugh about it together in the cinema.
Today, HARD:LINE organizers announed their short films selection.
An Exchange
Tuuli and Kaspar retire to a hut in the Estonian hinterland. In the process, Kaspar comes across something that he has to clear up with Tuuli. The latter, on the other hand, only wants to get away but suddenly lights flare up in the forest. GETTING OF EARLY director Noah Ambrose can also be serious and dark!
Esonia, 2019 | 8 min | Director: Noah Ambrose
International premiere, Méliès Competition
Good Guy with a Gun
With Bryian Montgomery, another friend returns to present his new short film. His material remains as explosive and debatable, but also as morally impeccable as ever as he approaches the subject of gun ownership. Always entertaining. Always good!
USA, 2020 | 19 min | Director: Bryian Montgomery
International premiere
Het Konijn
A rabbit has disappeared and a young detective and a local policeman must find the furry hopping animal. When another corpse appears, it becomes clear that something is wrong. Playful, black-humored and with a very distinct visual language, Baeyen’s film is a hell of a lot of fun.
Belgium, 2019 | 15 min | Director: Jan Baeyens
German premiere, Méliès Competition
Horrorscope
A hysterical woman wants to know what happened to her daughter and gets a diagnosis that will bring every horror fan to extasy. With a broad grin you’ll take this roller coaster on a ride through the expected unexpected until the film implodes with a bitterly angry punch line.
Spain, 2019 | 5 min | Director: Pol Diggler
German premiere, Méliès Competition
La Ultima Navidad Del Universo
Holy fuck! When Santa celebrates the ultimate Christmas after the apocalypse to deliver presents to the last remaining childlike creature, he has to free the world from MAD MAX assholes. This splatter masterpiece clearly achieves People-Demolition-Level 3000. Thank you for this gift Santa!
Spain, 2020 | 18 min | Director: David Munoz, Adrian Cardona
German premiere, Méliès Competition
Live Forever
No, we won’t tell. We just mustn’t say anything. Really. No. As much as you beg. Because Live Forever is simply one of the most beautiful films ever made. Oscar? Check? Cannes? What’s that? Sundance? Oh yeah, dance… Let’s dance till we burst into flames! Let’s die in style people!
Sweden, 2019 | 4 min | Director: Gustav Egerstedt
German premiere, Méliès Competition
Malakout
When Iranian director Farnoosh Abedi breathes life into his piano player with fantastic animations, one can only marvel. His attempt to bring a dead wife back to life is just great to watch. A special, different and loving genre film.
Iran, 2019 | 11 min | Director: Farnoosh Abedi
German premiere
Me Debes Uno
Don’t mess with your family and definitely don’t fuck with the Tooth Fairy. Especially if his name is “Señor Perez”; A coked-up killer mouse who’s going to get the tooth you wouldn’t put under your daughter’s pillow. A mad and congenial bastard.
Spain, 2020 | 8 min | Director: Luis Galindo
German premiere, Méliès Competition
No Podras Volver Nunca
A hallway and an idea. That’s often all it takes to make a great short film. When Ana leaves the apartment, she thinks she’ll only be gone for a moment. But soon it becomes clear that she can forget her old life. Or life will forget her. A wonderful game that plays with reality!
Spain, 2020 | 13 min | Director: Mónica Mateo
German premiere, Méliès Competition
O.I.
Three men meet in a bar. One of them has the most beautiful idea ever. The problem is that all those involved suffer from, shall we say, certain side effects. Wouldn’t you like to know what the ideais? Very well played and simply “mind blowing”!
Canada, 2018 | 19 min | Director: N’cee van Heerden
One Left
Imagine you go to the doctor and he tells you exactly how long you have to live. Like extremely exactly. Like six minutes exactly. What do you do? Yeah, you’re gonna watch this animated firecracker of a movie and go crazy. Because these six minutes are good for you.
Austria, 2020 | 6 min | Director: Sebastian Doringer
German premiere, Méliès Competition
Polter
A little spookiness would be bearable. But when José’s apartment is in full swing, the good mood fades. Because there’s a poltergeist that tidies up. Well, not really. And that’s exactly why José has to get to the bottom of the adverse rumbling entity and its intentions. Fortunately, there are professionals for this!
Spain, 2019 | 12 min | Director: Álvaro Vicario
German premiere, Méliès Competition
Siren
A nocturnal drive turns into a hell of a ride when April and Brooke are stopped by two strange policewomen. SIREN is an ambiguous game of colours and sounds that bewitches and beguiles the viewer as the call of the sirens themselves. Be warned!
Canada, 2019 | 16 min | Director: Christopher Beaubien
German premiere
Snake Dick
Two guys at a gas station and, wohoo, two chicks at the pump. The two greedy drunks’ ridges swell… until it all culminates in an inglorious cock contest. This is how simple, good and entertaining genre cinema can be. A grandiose, ironic and pointed prank!
USA, 2020 | 8 min | Director: David Mahmoudieh
German premiere
Sonrisas
This film is for the Instagram generation. Yeah, that’s right, you folks with your hashtags. But SONRISAS really doesn’t like you… at all. Borja is invited to the home of the new flam’s parents for the first time. After all, that’s where the true face of a pretty girl is revealed!
Spain, 2020 | 14 min | Director: Javier Chavanel
German premiere, Méliès Competition
The Painted
He cannot accept that his beloved wife has been in a coma for ages. To win her back, he turns to performing an ancient ritual… Sascha Sibley’s graduation film is a remarkable horror film, made by a great talent. Great acting and very creepy!
USA, 2020 | 14 min | Director: Sascha Sibley
World premiere
They have three professionals as jury members who will decide which one of the nominated films will win Méliès d’argent Award for the best European short film at HARD:LINE. The winner is automatically selected for the main Méliès competition, which is annually awarded by the Federation for the best European short films. The winner of the main competition regularly will be announced in Sitges every year.
The Jury:
– Polly Allen (co director of Sheffield based Celluloid Screams Film Festival)
– Niels Owesen (Acquisitions Manager of Pandastorm Pictures, a German distributor, well know for its outstanding genre approach)
– Roberto San Sebastian (Director of the legendary gorefest Night of the Virgin)
Find out more about the HARD:LINE International Film Festival and how to attend, HERE.
Are you a fan of the HARD:LINE International Film Festival? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
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