Category: BEST FEATURE FILM – 2024 ARFF BERLIN

(WINNER)

Original Film Title: 115

Director’s Name: Dave Huynh Macon

Writer’s Name: Ken Nemetchek, Dave Huynh Macon, Brandon Rhiness

Producer: Dave Huynh Macon, Kimi Alexander

Country of Origin: Canada

Country of Filming: Canada

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 21 minutes 11 seconds

Film Description:

In the ’80s, alien Emily crash-lands near the quaint town of Stony Plain, desperate to find the enigmatic fuel “115.” Stuck in a reverse time loop, she relives her mission daily, struggling to blend in while searching for the elusive substance. Every morning, kindhearted JT offers Emily a ride, and she glimpses something special in him that others overlook. As her encounters with the townsfolk spark hilarious misadventures, she unexpectedly finds love with JT, navigating the complexities of human behavior and dodging jealous Catherine’s advances. Faced with the reality that her salvation lies not in “115,” but in the bonds she’s formed, Emily must choose between her mission and the romantic connection that could break the cycle. A heartwarming, retro sci-fi rom-com that explores love’s power to transcend time and space, and why it takes more than a day to truly fall in love

(Audience Award)

Original Film Title: Blestem – The curse

Director’s Name: Axel Loh

Writer’s Name: Axel Loh

Producer: Axel Loh, Frank Vogt, Helmut Fischer

Country of Origin: Germany

Country of Filming: Germany

Language: German

Runtime: 1 hour 48 minutes 43 seconds

Film Description:

“Blestem-the Curse” tells the story of a photo team who are afflicted by a 200-year-old curse during a gothic shoot. In 1824, a bizarre murder took place in the same house, which triggered the horrible evil.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: HARMONY

Director’s Name: Zhiyuan Ji

Writer’s Name: Yunbiao Xue

Producer: Haiyan Guo

Country of Origin: China

Country of Filming: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes

Film Description:

In the rhythm of his lost dreams, young drummer Huo Dafeng rediscovers his passion through the mentorship of seasoned percussionists. Their guidance not only rekindles his aspirations but also leads him towards profound personal growth and enlightenment.

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: Chang’an Chang’an

Director’s Name: Zhong Zhang

Writer’s Name: Narges Abyar

Producer: Jia Shi

Country of Origin: China

Country of Filming: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes 30 seconds

Film Description:

In the city of Xi’an, Ayana, a Kazakh student, becomes enthralled by the Legend of the White Snake – a story of forbidden love between a mythical being and a human. The rehearsal of the opera brings Ayana closer to Sangare, the director. Their connection, intense and passionate, echoes the legendary bond between the snake and her lover. Together, they dream of bringing this timeless tale to the stages of Kazakhstan.
However, a decade later, Ayana’s world crumbles. Sangare’s career falters, and his infidelity plunges Ayana into depression. Seeking solace, she returns to Xi’an. There, she dons the white snake’s costume once more, delivering a performance imbued with her raw emotions.
On the train journey home, as if awakening from a dream, her depression lifts, and her world seems renewed.

(Envision Award)

Original Film Title: The Washer

Director’s Name: Nils A. Witt

Writer’s Name: Nils A. Witt

Producer: Nils A. Witt, Cem Arslan

Country of Origin: Germany

Country of Filming: Germany

Language: German

Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes

Film Description:

While doing the laundry, the young lawyer Jan discovers that the washing machine creates phenomena.

The effect can be reproduced and he massively expands his experiments.

The machines run 24/7. Is he the only one who knows about it?

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: From Embers

Director’s Name: Kate Bohan

Writer’s Name: Kate Bohan

Producer: Kate Bohan, Kathleen I-Ying Lee

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes

Film Description:

After her husband dies in a lab fire, a widowed mother of an autistic son must try to piece her life together while uncovering what really happened on that fateful night.