Doris Bauer, curator and cultural manager, is currently head of selection for the Vienna Shorts festival (Austria). She is a member of our Documentary Jury for this 15th edition.
LUXFILMFEST You are currently Head of Selection, Preselection & Selection of the VIENNA SHORTS international short film festival. Could you tell us about this event, its scope, and ambitions?
DORIS BAUER VIENNA SHORTS is a six-day event held annually in Vienna, Austria. The festival aims to highlight the power of short films as a unique medium, offering a space for films that might not find a place in larger commercial festivals. The festival primarily focuses on experimental, artistic, and boundary-pushing cinema, offering a platform for creative expression and the exploration of diverse themes and styles. Its ambition is not only to celebrate the art of short filmmaking but also to foster an exchange of ideas and cultural dialogue among filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences.
LFF How do you see the current short film scene? Does it seem to be undergoing the same changes as feature lenght’s films?
D.B. From my point of view, I would say that short films benefit more from the ongoing changes in the film world than feature-length films. They are still more experimental, often more personal, and increasingly globalized through digital platforms. Precisely because they are subject to different economic pressures and visibility challenges than feature length films, they are freer to take risks in terms of form, structure, and narrative and offer both filmmakers and audiences their own creative outlet.
LFF At LuxFilmFest, you will have the opportunity to attend the traditional short film evening. Are you familiar with this national scene? What do you hope to see?
D.B. I’m really looking forward to visiting the short film evening at LuxFilmFest! I expect it to be an exciting opportunity to witness the creative pulse of Luxembourg’s national cinema. We’re still in the middle of programming for VIENNA SHORTS — so who knows, maybe I’ll discover a short film gem or two that will fit right into our program!
Interviewed by Alexis Juncosa
