Programmed by Mia Falstein-Rush and Eleanor Colla

The following splendid short films will screen at this year’s festival. Some will precede a feature; others will be part of an adults-only compilation entitled “If You Go into the Woods Tonight…”, screening on Tuesday September 20 at 6.30pm.

An hour-long selection of family-friendly shorts will play on the outdoor Big Screen in Federation Square several times during the festival. You can catch them on Monday September 19 and Tuesday September 20, Thursdays September 15 and 22, and Fridays September 16 and 23, at 12.30pm and at 5.30pm.

Listed beneath each film below you’ll find its screening particulars. But remember, if you go into the woods tonight, you’re in for a big surprise… For there are fewer teddy bears in the forests of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and more terrifying creatures, burly men with big guns, and perhaps something that will reveal your own mortality…

THE BALLAD OF SIMON AND TERESA (BALADA O ŠIMONOVI A TEREZE)
Director: Martin Hnát | 2015
Slovakia | 25 min
Teresa and Matej live a simple life in a small cabin in the woods until Simon, Matej’s brother, comes home from the Great War.
Screening as part of “If You Go into the Woods Tonight…”

THE BEARYTALES (CO MEDVĚDI RÁDI)
Director: Veronika Zacharová | 2015
Czech Republic | 3 min
An animation presenting five interesting facts you almost certainly didn’t know about bears.
Screening on the Fed Square Big Screen

BORDERLINES
Director: Hanka Nováková | 2015
Czech Republic | 5 min
A playful look at how those searching for more room can work together.
Screening on the Fed Square Big Screen

BROTHER DEER (BRAČEK JELENČEK)
Director: Zuzana Žiaková | 2015
Slovakia | 12 min
A fairy tale story of two orphaned siblings living in a forest, fighting to keep themselves and each other alive.
Screening as part of “If You Go into the Woods Tonight…”

CHRONOS
Director: Martin Kazimír | 2015
Slovakia | 12 min
A man’s exploration of how his actions affect the world around him and his own self.
Screening before Tiger Theory

HAPPY END
Director: Jan Saska | 2015
Czech Republic | 6 min
What starts out as a restful day for some, ends up being a nightmare for others.
Screening as part of “If You Go into the Woods Tonight…” and before The Cleaner

IN LINE (V RADE)
Director: Kamila Kučíková | 2014
Slovakia | 4 min
The tedium of waiting in line becomes much more enjoyable with this Slovak animation.
Screening on the Fed Square Big Screen

AN INSIGHT INTO THE LIFE OF JINDŘICH BRŮDA (VHLED DO ŽIVOTA JINDŘICHA BRŮDY)
Director: Jan Hecht | 2015
Czech Republic | 8 min
Jindřich discovers that the routine of the everyday can be lifted with a stroll through nature.
Screening as part of “If You Go into the Woods Tonight…”

LESHY (LESAPÁN)
Director: Pavel Soukup | 2015
Czech Republic | 23 min
A girl befriends a mysterious and terrifying woodland creature as it is hunted by her father.
Screening as part of “If You Go into the Woods Tonight…”

MILA FOG
Director: Marta Prokopová | 2015
Slovakia | 11 min
Mila escapes to the forest, where she finds new perspective on her modern existence.
Screening on the Fed Square Big Screen, as part of “If You Go into the Woods Tonight…” and before Schmitke

ROSSO PAPAVERO
Director: Martin Smatana | 2014
Slovakia | 5 min
A child watches in wonderment at a performing circus. Will he join their dreamworld or stay in reality?
Screening on the Fed Square Big Screen and before The Seven Ravens

THE STILL LIFE OF VĚRA (POHLEDY NA VĚRU BECHYŇOVOU)
Director: Greta Stocklassová | 2015
Czech Republic | 9 min
Stocklassová presents a collage of postcards sent to a woman throughout her lifetime, offering viewers a window into a stranger’s relationships, family and friendships.
Screening on the Fed Square Big Screen and before Through the Eyes of the Photographer

ZOO STORY (CO SE STALO V ZOO)
Director: Veronika Zacharová | 2015
Czech Republic | 4 min
A child’s day at the zoo takes a fun turn when she befriends a gorilla.
Screening on the Fed Square Big Screen

ZOPPE
Directors: Stepanka Cervinkova and Alesh Macak | 2016
Australia and Czech Republic | 4 min
Trees and buildings form the body politic in a stop-motion clip for the band Dva.
Screening on the Fed Square Big Screen and as part of “If You Go into the Woods Tonight…”