Category: First-Time Filmmaker 2023 WSXA Amsterdam

Original Film Title: Serpiente El Luchador.

Director’s Name: Sebastian Vaina

Writer’s Name: Sebastian Vaina

Producer: Nicolas Vargas

Country of Origin: Argentina

Country of Filming: Argentina

Language: Spanish

Runtime: 1 hour 18 minutes

Film Description:

Cristian “La Serpiente” Bosch is a Muay Thay fighter from Greater Buenos Aires. At thirty-five, he has his last chance to fight for the world title, against the Brazilian champion. With a great force of will, Serpent prepares for combat, but his obligations as father, son, teacher and friend will make the road difficult. 
The changes in his life will mark him forever and when he reaches the final fight, he will no longer be the same.

Original Film Title: Making Waves – JD Fox

Director’s Name: Alex Winn

Producer: Alex Winn

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Country of Filming: United Kingdom

Language: English

Runtime: 12 minutes 37 seconds

Film Description:

The documentary spends six months following East London sculptor JD Fox as he creates “Denizen” – a singular monolithic form in clay. It provides a unique insight into his creative process as he opens up about his desire to constantly be creating, the challenges of self-promotion and the value of determination versus the perception of talent.

Original Film Title: 《上海往事》

Director’s Name: Dike Lei

Writer’s Name: Hui Zhang

Producer: Dike Lei, Siyou Li

Country of Origin: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 25 minutes

Film Description:

The focus of this film is on two young men, A and B, who come to Shanghai to explore. Due to their insistence on originality and not following the trend, A is temporarily unable to gain the favor of their employers and is in a difficult life. Another B contracted a bad habit of gambling and signed a large sum of money, resulting in a difficult life.

By chance, while A was immersed in creating in a small hotel, he fell into a nightmare, while B happened to encounter a murder case in another adjacent room… 
Finally, after experiencing setbacks and suffering, the two finally emerged from confusion and welcomed hope in their lives!

Original Film Title: Oud zeer

Director’s Name: Jeroen Berends

Writer’s Name: Jeroen Berends

Producer: Jeroen Berends, Jimmy van Schaik, Max van de Pol

Country of Origin: Netherlands

Country of Filming: Netherlands

Language: Dutch

Runtime: 14 minutes 25 seconds

Film Description:

A traumatised police officer, Ralf, has to start working again after the loss of his wife and daughter.

Original Film Title: Lascia che Io

Director’s Name: Francesco Dattilo

Writer’s Name: Francesco Dattilo

Producer: Kelly Dattilo

Country of Origin: Italy

Country of Filming: Italy

Language: Italian

Runtime: 19 minutes 47 seconds

Film Description:

A young woman, mourning the recent loss of her partner, inherits her grandmother’s house after her death. Now on the brink of the abyss, something unexpected comes to her aid.

Una giovane donna, ancora in lutto per la perdita della compagna, eredita la casa della nonna dopo la dipartita di quest’ultima. Ormai sull’orlo dell’abisso, un qualcosa di inaspettato giungerà in suo aiuto.

Original Film Title: Liar-In-Chief: A Chronicle of the Trump Presidency Through the Eyes of An Outraged Graphic Artist

Director’s Name: M Kaplan

Writer’s Name: M Kaplan

Producer: M Kaplan

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Runtime: 1 hour 22 minutes

Film Description:

A multi-award winning, often biting satirical documentary, using original still photo montages and short videos created by the director, chronicling the horrors of Trump’s presidency.