Category: BEST SHORT FILM – WSXA AMSTERDAM 2026

Original Film Title: Cost of Silence

Director’s Name: Andrea Helene

Writer’s Name: Andrea Helene

Producer: Andrea Helene, Zhivko Stoyanov, Emma Bernbach

Country of Origin: Spain

Country of Filming: Spain

Language: English

Runtime: 11 minutes 34 seconds

Film Description:

After a teenager falls from the balcony of a wealthy home, a detective’s investigation exposes the dark secrets of a powerful art dealer

Original Film Title: Welcome, Nga

Director’s Name: Patrick Hatfield

Writer’s Name: Hop Dao

Producer: Patrick Hatfield, Hop Dao, Charlie Trindall

Country of Origin: Australia

Country of Filming: Australia

Language: English

Runtime: 23 minutes 37 seconds

Film Description:

“Welcome, Nga” tells the story of Nga, a newly arrived international student, as she begins work at an Irish pub and meets James, an Aboriginal man. However, their encounters proved to be far from what she imagined life in Australia would be. From hope and curiosity, Nga is pushed into the dark side of the “Lucky Country” – violence, racism, and despair.

“Welcome, Nga” was written by Hop Dao based on some of her own experiences coming to Australia from Vietnam to study along with a touch of added drama. Our producer, Charlie Trindall, a proud Gamilaroi man, was born in Narrabri, Western NSW and later grew up in Armidale, Northern Tablelands. Now residing in Sydney, Charlie’s life story is one of determination over adversity through a profound connection to his Indigenous heritage.

Original Film Title: Exhibition

Director’s Name: Yeter ÇİÇEK

Writer’s Name: Ali Savaşçı

Producer: Erol Ferdi Kenar, Serkan Dokan

Country of Origin: Türkiye

Country of Filming: Türkiye

Language: Turkish

Runtime: 36 minutes 15 seconds

Film Description:

A delusional man, hiding in the bathroom after exposing himself to his neighbor, rationalizes his crime and dives into power fantasies with his reflection; only to face a confrontation from his neighbors who threaten him not with prison, but with “media disgrace.”

Original Film Title: Interference

Director’s Name: Susann Fanieng

Writer’s Name: Susann Fanieng

Producer: Susann Fanieng, Achim Unger

Country of Origin: Germany

Country of Filming: Germany

Language: German

Runtime: 24 minutes 3 seconds

Film Description:

Traumatized 34-year-old Johanna lost her sister Isabella in a brutal attack. The perpetrators were never caught. The loss dominates her life until she meets Tim, a disturbed and lonely man who sees Johanna as a kindred spirit, whether she wants it or not.

Original Film Title: Algorithmic Predation

Director’s Name: Kyle Nathan Chidgey

Writer’s Name: Kyle Nathan Chidgey

Producer: Barbara Herman

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 8 minutes 35 seconds

Film Description:

Black market organ harvesters hunting a suicidal priest.

Original Film Title: He doesn’t smoke

Director’s Name: 강령 이

Writer’s Name: 강령 이

Producer: 강령 이

Country of Origin: South Korea

Country of Filming: South Korea

Language: No Dialogue

Runtime: 12 minutes 50 seconds

Film Description:

On a battlefield where lives are erased with the detachment of a video game through drone warfare, an isolated soldier unexpectedly forms a bond of friendship with an enemy soldier through the very drone that embodies this emotionless conflict.

Original Film Title: A Wrong FILM

Director’s Name: Xiwen Luo

Writer’s Name: Xiwen Luo

Producer: Brian Michael Gair

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 6 minutes 50 seconds

Film Description:

A Wrong Film follows a student director attempting to complete a dance film as tensions arise between two performers with opposing styles. As rehearsals collapse and control slips, the process exposes conflicts of authorship and perception. In editing, she confronts imperfect footage and reshapes the film into something she never intended.

Original Film Title: A=AA

Director’s Name: Goutham Kanade

Writer’s Name: Goutham Kanade

Producer: Goutham Kanade

Country of Origin: India

Country of Filming: Netherlands

Language: Kannada

Runtime: 30 minutes

Film Description:

Have you ever wondered how would it be to step into someone else’s shoes? What if you were that person you just helped? What if you were the person you just harmed? What if you are everyone on the planet?

Original Film Title: AFTER THE FINISH LINE

Director’s Name: Waldemar Castro

Writer’s Name: Waldemar Castro

Producer: Waldemar Castro

Country of Origin: Brazil

Country of Filming: Brazil

Language: Portuguese

Runtime: 29 minutes 59 seconds

Film Description:

“After the Finish Line” follows young drivers who, even before learning to drive in life, are already facing the challenges imposed by reality. Inside the helmet is not just a competitor, but a son and a dreamer who carries the weight of an entire family. More than speed and trophies, the documentary reveals resilience and dignity — because, for these children, the real race begins after the finish line.

Original Film Title: Pond Dream

Director’s Name: Yu Heng Liu

Writer’s Name: Yu Heng Liu

Producer: Gang Bai

Country of Origin: China

Country of Filming: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 14 minutes 1 second

Film Description:

Ever since childhood, a sea of his very own had lived in Xiao He’s dreams. He ached to set eyes on the real ocean, yet fate never granted him the chance. So he’d haunt the bar night after night, spinning tales of the life he’d only ever imagined to every stranger who’d listen. One evening, a driver crossed paths with him there. At first, he’d merely regarded Xiao He as a trivial diversion, but little by little, he caught sight of his own lost and adrift self in him—and sank into a profound reverie.