Category: BEST DIRECTOR – 2025 WSXA AMSTERDAM

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Circle of the Soul – dir. Patrik Radotić

(Honorable Mention)

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Original Film Title: Circle of the Soul

Director’s Name: Patrik Radotić

Writer’s Name: Patrik Radotić, Nina Dobranović

Producer: Patrik Radotić

Country of Origin: Croatia

Country of Filming: Croatia

Language: Croatian

Runtime: 14 minutes 4 seconds

Film Description:

After a turbulent period, Hana seeks peace at her grandmother’s rural home. But strange events and a mysterious presence challenge her stay. Trapped between memory and reality, Hana confronts fears she cannot escape. Circle of the Soul is a psychological horror about confronting inner demons and the haunting pull of the past.

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The River At The Bottom Of My Garden – dir. Guillaume Mazille

(Finalist)

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Original Film Title: The River At The Bottom Of My Garden

Director’s Name: Guillaume Mazille

Writer’s Name: Guillaume Mazille, Alain Damasio, Jade Maitre

Producer: Guillaume Mazille

Country of Origin: France

Country of Filming: France

Language: French

Runtime: 1 hour 26 minutes

Film Description:

In a paradisiacal river in Southern France, a world-travelled cinematographer stranded by Covid films a poetic and introspective movie in relationship with the animal life around his home. But soon, a drought imperils the river source, threatening the very existence of the animals he has grown to love. Will formidable power of life conquer?

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Rotten Apple – dir. Justin Hunt

(Honorable Mention)

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Original Film Title: Rotten Apple

Director’s Name: Justin Hunt

Writer’s Name: Justin Hunt

Producer: Justin Hunt

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 21 minutes

Film Description:

‘Rotten Apple’ is an alarming exposé on the dark epidemic of grooming and sexual assault in public schools and the eminent ripple effect.

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Treu (Faithful) – dir. Hansjoerg Thurn

(Finalist)

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Original Film Title: Treu (Faithful)

Director’s Name: Hansjoerg Thurn

Writer’s Name: Katrin Wiegand

Producer: Anthony Arndt

Country of Origin: Germany

Country of Filming: Germany

Language: German

Runtime: 14 minutes 40 seconds

Film Description:

A woman wakes up in a bed she doesn’t know and seems to be trapped by a man twice her age. She tries to escape, but after a wild getaway, she saves herself back in the same house she escaped from. An older version of her speaks to her from a computer. Only then does she realize that she is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is actually the same age as the man who is her husband. She remembers the early years of their relationship, when they were both famous actors on stage. TREU depicts the disorientation of a woman with dementia and the mental imprisonment of her caring partner. This short film focuses on the suffering of the husband (Anthony Arndt) and his wife (Annika Kuhl) in a tense atmosphere. The film has already won awards at many festivals. This short film is also going on a charity tour of international cinemas.

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Posie – Rave Or Freeze – dir. Alyosha

(Audience Award Winner)

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Original Film Title: Posie – Rave Or Freeze

Director’s Name: Alyosha

Writer’s Name: Alyosha

Producer: Alyosha

Country of Origin: Russian Federation

Country of Filming: Russian Federation

Language: English

Runtime: 30 seconds

Film Description:

Ten models decked out in diamonds freeze mid-pose, then burst into a chaotic lawn rave.

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Living With Grandma – dir. Finise Avery

(Winner)

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Original Film Title: Living With Grandma

Director’s Name: Finise Avery

Writer’s Name: Finise Avery, Luisa Oparanozie, Louie Cangliano, Zack Skiles

Producer: Finise Avery, Susan Smith

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 13 minutes 31 seconds

Film Description:

Louis Turner moves back in with his Grandma Rose after he gambles away his Draft Kings Lottery Fortune. Under her watchful eye, Louis begins his battle with his gambling addiction. In her hilarious and overbearing fashion, Grandma Rose spends nearly all her time with Louis, and pours her energy into his wellness and search for love. Despite Louis’ reluctance to accept help, and constant peer-pressure gambling temptations from his off—the-wagon “sponsor,” Louis holds fast in his newfound discipline. This is only the beginning of Louis and Grandma’s silly, bitter-sweet adventure.