CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF SHORT FILMS FROM EUROPE, ASIA, AND THE UNITED STATES, PRESENTED AT EMBASSIES & CULTURAL CENTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND ONLINE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES
After a brief hiatus in 2020, EuroAsia Shorts (EAS) returned in 2021 with a new online streaming format and more incredible short films from Asia, Europe, and the United States, presented by embassies and cultural centers based in Washington, D.C., available free to viewers across the United States, June 4 – 18.
Together with Indonesia we were proud to present Austrian and Indonesian movies which guided you through a world of dreams, poetry and applesauce.
For a full overview of the festival, please visit the EuroAsia Shorts website.
Fri., June 4 - Fri., June 11, 2021 | Country Pairing Programs
Fri., June 11 - Fri., June 18, 2021 | Festival Closing Program
This Year's Festival:
Each of six shorts programs is tied together by the festival theme, Together in Dreams, and includes post-film discussions and special video messages from directors. Join an international cinematic dialogue that is uniquely Washingtonian as we celebrate 15 years of EAS in 2021!
As in 2019, when the festival expanded to represent 11 countries, EAS features five pairing programs, available to stream simultaneously during the festival’s first week, June 4-11. Each program showcases an hour of films from two countries – one Asian and one European – followed by a wide-ranging discussion with guest speakers from culture and film. The sixth, final EAS program, as always, features one film from every represented country, including the United States, and a final discussion of the overall festival and theme. All films are presented with original audio and English subtitles (as needed).
When: Friday, June 4, 2021 through Friday, June 18
Where: online | Eventbrite
Ticket: free
PAIRING PROGRAM
Austria & Indonesia
Streaming June 4 – 11
Featuring video messages from the directors and a discussion between Yudho Sasongko, Public Diplomacy Coordinator, Indonesian Embassy and Eva Schoefer, Director, Austrian Cultural Forum
Jesus, Aliens! I think
(D/A) 2020, 29 min
Director: Sophie Bösker
Jesus, Aliens! I think. is a documentary about the director herself, who, fearful about being left alone in a big city fled to her parents’ house at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis in spring 2020. In a very intimate but humorous way the film tells the story of a family that spent three months of lockdown in isolation, their private failures and secret despair. Above all it is about the importance of relationships and family under extraordinary circumstances, as well as the importance of togetherness.
Letters from a Window
(AT, TK) 2020, 5min
Directors: Nigel Gavus & Ilkin Beste Cırak
In this artistic commentary on the pandemic crisis of 2020/21 a young woman is trapped in the drama of memory, whose experience lies in the ability to overcome the situations that occurred with Covid-19. Something has separated her from life, and she needs to get it back by all means possible. While writing her letter the woman is looking to catch a signal of life, to create hope in uncertain times and be closer once again to her life, friends and society.
Pindah Rumah
(IDN), 2018, 26 min.
Director: Muhajir
How far has the modern world changed our way of life? Will traditional values and virtues of cultures remain relevant? Pindah Rumah is a tradition of building and moving houses of the Bugis-Makassar Community in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
CLOSING PROGRAM
All Countries + USA
Streaming June 11 – 18
Featuring video messages from the directors!
Applesauce
(AT) 2019, 7min
Director: Alexander Gratzer
Just like many humans started to question the meaning of life in these uncertain times, animals in Alexander Gratzer’s movie Applesauce carry on philosophical discussions about important existential issues. At the same time the solution to one of the most essential problems becomes apparent: you just have to wash, peel, cut and mash it. The apple. Applesauce is a loving ode to lounging around and senselessness, with which people have been confronted during this pandemic.
ABOUT THIS YEAR’S THEME: Together in Dreams
Humanity is united by our need for social connection—to be and stay together. And yet, amid a global pandemic, traditional togetherness has become a mere dream shared by millions around the world. Many of our aspirations—of achievements great and small, a better world, and connecting with people and places we love—have been put on hold, but still burn brightly in our hearts. This year's EuroAsia Shorts seeks to rekindle hope by exploring dual aspects of our lives that are now intertwined: our need for connection and our dreams for the future.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Now in its 15th year, EuroAsia Shorts (originally the Asian-European Short Film Showcase) remains collaboration between a small group of Washington, D.C. embassies and cultural center staff. Since 2006, the festival has presented more than 250 short films, including many award-winning shorts making their U.S. debut. Each year a broad variety of films and styles are presented, connected by a single theme. With post-film cultural Q&A’s and discussions with experts each night, EuroAsia Shorts offers an international cinematic dialogue that is uniquely Washingtonian. In 2019, EAS saw a rare expansion of the festival, from 9 to 11 partner organizations. The two new countries added are Indonesia and Austria, represented by the Embassy of Indonesia and the Austrian Cultural Forum. Check out the links below for more on each of us and our many cultural programs beyond EAS.
Image Credits:
Jesus, Aliens! I think © Sophie Bösker
Letters from a Window © Nigel Gavus & Ilkin Beste Cırak
Pindah Rumah © Muhajir
Applesauce © Alexander Gratzer