AWARDS 2026 | AWARDS 2026 |
ANARCHAFEMINIST DIVINATIONS
What if utopias and positive turns in seemingly hopeless situations were presented in prophecies instead of terrifying the listeners with apocalyptic forebodings? With Anarchafeminist Divinations, Işıl Karataş opens up precisely this space for discussion, countering the paralysis of a world in multiple crises with the hope for positive developments.
On a visual level, the film invites viewers to offer their own interpretations and perhaps even to make their own predictions. Enjoy these speculative futures and let yourself be inspired.
BACCANTI
In her film Baccanti, Emma Scarafiotti reads the ancient motif against the grain and reinterprets the transformation of the all-female protagonists. Their metamorphosis into animals ultimately proves not to be an evolutionary regression, but rather a rebellious hybridization against oppressive norms. A shared connection with one another and with nature ultimately becomes the foundation for a new beginning.
Visually, the film captivates with long and highly precise tracking shots that don't diminish the powerful performances of the protagonists. A clever epilogue establishes such a clear foundation that the subsequent film develops meaningful tension and rhythm even without spoken words but with an impressive soundtrack.
HOLY MERCURY
Andy Madjitey and Kojo Affedzie clothe a toxic environmental catastrophe in hauntingly beautiful images. Like mercury-induced hallucinations, these sequences are associatively collaged. However, the two multidisciplinary filmmakers skillfully avoid predictable clichés, because in Holy Mercury, beauty does not mean pleasing the viewer.
Andy Madjitey and Kojo Affedzie masterfully employ strategies and skills from fine art, performance, and fashion design. Although the titular poisoning of Ghana's water resources remains ever-present, it does not become the film's raison d'être. Holy Mercury offers viewers a glimpse into this complex problem, but is wise enough to avoid simplistic answers. This does not, however, imply passivity, but rather enables a dialogue on equal footing within the intellectual space it opens up.
WE ARE ANIMALS
With We Are Animals, Lorenzo Pallotta impressively demonstrates that sometimes the best stories are hidden within existing footage. From seemingly innocuous archival material, he assembles a truly gripping film around an intimate, voice-over monologue. It is precisely from the ordinariness of the recordings that the film draws its unsettling atmosphere.
The success of this feat is due not only to the excellent script, but also significantly to the editing and rhythm of the footage. The grainy source material lends the film a timelessness that will undoubtedly allow it to age gracefully.
HONORARY MENTIONS 2026 | HONORARY MENTIONS 2026 |
DULL SPOTS OF GREENISH COLOURS
In times of resurgent nationalisms, targeted weakening of independent journalism and omnipresent misinformation, Sasha Svirsky traces the process of the continuous takeover of the apparatus by formless actors. | Dull Spots of Greenish Colours
IN THE OCEAN OF TIME
Korinna Krauss skillfully replaces reason with emotion in science fiction. The result is a poetic journey through the ocean of time. | In the Ocean of Time
NINE TIMES BETTER
Emma Dock and Lorenzo Follari imaginatively give form to the emotional life of their protagonist, a contemporary interpretation of the love goddess Venus, through costume and set design. | Nine Times Better
THE QUARRY ON SUNDAY
Melissa Leicht's debut film succeeds in combining a documentary perspective, literature and contemporary composition into a worthwhile reflection on the Anthropocene and its momentary nature in the geological timescale. | The Quarry on Sunday
PROGRAMME 2026
20:00 | OPENING SCREENING
Opening Performance | Iteration of Design of the Anonymous by Joanna Zabielska
Nio Gånger Bättre | Emma Dock, Lorenzo Follari | SE
In the Ocean of Time | Korinna Krauss* | DE
Reddening | Sinem Kayacan, Elina Pirinen | FI
TICKETS
Almost all filmmakers are present for Q&A via Zoom, *many are present in the cinema.
18:00 | PARTING
Cave connection | Jeanie Daser | AT
When The Phone Rang | Iva Radivojević | RS
TICKETS
20:00 | HUMAN MOVIES ABOUT ARTIFICIALLITY
Human Movie | Eryk Salvaggio | US
Prelude to a flash | Nicolás Onischuk | AR
Someone to Steal Horses with | Dylan Pailes-Friedman | IT, US
Double Speed Half Time | Ellinor Brandenburg | DE
Pictures of a Negative Chair | Magdalena Bermudez
TICKETS
18:00 | IN THE ABSENCE OF PEACE
Atlas of the Wounded Buildings | Thadeusz Tischbein | DE
Because they know what they are doing. | Karl Wratschko* | AT
The Unknown Painting | Niklas Poweleit | DE
Phantom Aspect | Oleksandr Isaienko | UA
Dull Spots of Greenish Colours | Sasha Svirsky | DE
Feuerwerk | Timothy George Kelly | AU
TICKETS
20:00 | UNLEARNING NORMS
We are Animals | Lorenzo Pallotta | IT
Baccanti | Emma Scarafiotti* | IT
The Salon | Flora Citroën | FR
She Stays | Marinthia Gutiérrez | MX
Murderkino: Altar-Knife War-Witch | Scott Clifford Evans* | AT
TICKETS
18:00 | EMERGING PATTERNS
Balancing Act | Federica Foglia | CA, IT
Anarchafeminist Divinations | Işıl Karataş | AT
Polychora | Abinadi Meza | MX
EQUAL | Tom Bessoir* | US
Cherry Blossoms | Rennie Taylor | CA
Everything is right before | Anna Antsalo, Jenni-Elina von Bagh | FI
Jig Jag | John Dawson | US
TICKETS
20:00 | RESSOURCES
Pomo D’Orographies | Francesca Paola Beltrame* | IT
Holy Mercury | Andy Madjitey, Kojo Affedzie | GH
Erewhon | Charlie Tweed
Cacciatori d’Uranio | Davide Palella | IT
icEscape | Benedikt Alphart, Roman Gavryliuk* | AT
The Quarry on Sunday | Melissa Leicht* | AT
Bubble Bath | Giulia Magno | IT
TICKETS
BEYOND THE SCREEN
Performance
Opening | 13 May 2026, 20:00 | Iteration of Design of the Anonymous by Joanna ZabielskaWho isn’t familiar with the unassuming red-white-blue PVC bag adorned with its timeless checkered or striped pattern?
“Design of the Anonymous” is a performative and spatial project exploring home, belonging, and shared narratives.
Tickets
Tickets are only available at the Breitenseer Lichtspiele (online & in situ)Festivalpass | 40,-€
Ticket | 10,-€*
nonstop Kinoabo applies
*Discounts: minus 10% upon presentation of an OE1 membership card, pensioner's or student ID, apprentices, civilian or military service members, or cultural pass.
Workshop
16 May 2026, 16:30 |
Workshop based on Pomo D’Orographies by Francesca Paola Beltrame and musician Fabio Cervi.The workshop will be a performative version of the film accompanied by the live soundtrack by Fabio Cervi and field recording. Gathered around the tablecloth, we will foreground collective listening and identify already existing networks of solidarity.
Please register by emailing office@artfilmvienna.art.
Installations
In cooperation with the Bezirksmuseum Penzing three films from this year's programme will be presented in dialogue with the
exhibitions. Enjoy Bubble Bath by
Giulia Magno, Holy Mercury by
Andy Madjitey, Kojo Affedzie and The Quarry on Sunday by
Melissa Leicht in the unique setting of our valued cooperation partner
Bezirksmusem Penzing.
Opening hours
Wednesday, 13 May, 17:00-19:00
Sunday, 16 May, 10:00-12:00
Wednesday, 20 May, 17:00-19:00
Address: Penzinger Straße 59, 1140 Vienna
13–16 May 2026
INTERACTIVE INSTALLATION
Iteration of Design of the Anonymous by Joanna Zabielska at the Breitenseer Lichtspiele
Realized with the kind support of Stadt Wien Kultur, Bezirk Penzing, Italian Cultural Institute
FESTIVAL
+ INSTALLATIONS, INTERVENTIONS
+ SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT
+ QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
The Breitenseer Lichtspiele, founded in 1905, presenting film ever since without interruption are a consistent part of Vienna's cinema culture. The cinema forms the festival’s centre from where screenings, performances, concerts and many other work-specific formats spread throughout the district.
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