With thematic screenings spread across the Danish capital, here’s what to see during this year’s CSFF
“Go explore!” urges Betina Husen, festival director of the Copenhagen Short Film Festival (CSFF) which has kicked off in the city. Running until October 10, the festival is dedicated to highlighting short film as its own media and art form.
Founded in 2012, CSFF has expanded its showcase this year to include a selection of international films with clustered thematic screenings spread across the Copenhagen. With the groupings range from Baltic shorts, films from the Faroe Islands and Greenland to themes of Magic Realism to the exploration of the female perspective, touchpoints this season very much pivot off a global outlook.
“Usually we do have a strong focus on Danish short films, as of course we are a Danish film festival, but we also do like to go outside our own country’s borders and see what’s happening in other places,” notes Husen on the decision to introduce a more global standpoint for this CSFF edition. “Often it's really interesting to see how the language of film is so different and varies so much from country to country, especially in those up and coming films that really explore and experiment with how they tell stories and the narrative. This is why we want to put this emphasis on stories that come from other countries. Also to hang on new perspectives.”
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A still from 'Home Still' which is part of the Nordatlantiske kortfilmsperler program. Photo: Home Still
While the narratives of the films on show range from tragicomedy to thrillers, there is a decidedly inward-facing theme that interlink the films on show – people portraying hardship, love and relationships. “If there was a common theme it would probably be with people in our lives and how we deal with the troubles we face.”
With the short film offering not only a format that is accessible, more and more it acts as a democratic opportunity to allow for exploration and development in visual expression.
“The short film format doesn’t really have a framework you need to work in, so people are more inclined to experiment. We have seen some renowned Hollywood directors explore an idea or theme they had through the short film format to explore that. It is really interesting to see how people use the short film format to break out of their own comfort zones and just do something completely different.”
Here we round up our top five showcase screenings to explore during the festival series:
MIX’ed Favourites: October 7 at 19:30
In collaboration with the LGBTQ + festival MIX Copenhagen, a presentation of LBGTQ + films are presented that seek out clichéd plots and conventions. From Denmark, the UK, Austria, Mexico, USA and China, existences are portrayed that are defined by interpersonal relationships, whether these are fleeting, lifelong, intimate or hidden.
Empire Bio, Guldbergsgade 29F, 2200 København
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A still from 'April's Last Memories' which is part of the MIX’ed Favourites program. Photo: April's Last Memories
Baltic Shorts: October 7 at 21:15
Celebrating 100 years of diplomatic relations between Denmark and the Baltic countries, a handful of the best short films coming out of the Baltics over the past three years will be on show. While the selected films span across borders and genres, they all centre around universal topics including family, relationships and moral values.
Gloria Biograf, Rådhuspladsen 59, 1550 København
A still from 'Through the Fields' which is part of the Baltic Shorts program. Photo: Through the Fields
Magical Realism: October 8 at 21:30
With magical realism the theme, the films are set in a reality where a magical element is introduced, ranging from a magical flute, time travel or a game of chess over one’s fate. Including the French Archibald’s Syndrome, expect to see the presentation of the familiar turned on its head with the twist of fate.
Empire Bio, Guldbergsgade 29F, 2200 København
A still from 'Archibald's Syndrome' which is part of the Magic Realism program. Photo: Archibald's Syndrome
Nordatlantiske kortfilmsperler: October 9 at 14:00
Both the Faroe Islands and Greenland have attracted foreign filmmakers throughout film history, and in the last couple of decades, their own film production has been in rapid development, bringing both Faroese and Greenlandic films to festivals around the world. In collaboration with Nordatlantiske Filmdage, a selection of Faroese and Greenlandic short films will present poetic documentary and climate struggle to quirky and black humorous stories from both a bygone past and a highly topical present.
Nordatlantens Brygge, Strandgade 91, 1401 København
A still from 'Ikki Illa meint' which is part of the Nordatlantiske kortfilmsperler program. Photo: Ikki Illa meint
Young Danish Talent: October 9 at 16:30
A program containing the best and most exciting young talents emerging on the Danish short film scene. Each film embedded in the youthful perspective and navigate complicated emotional lives, friendships and sexuality. These subjects and themes are perpetually relevant and these shorts engage with them with a lived insight and promising understanding of the cinematic media.
Cinemateket, Gothersgade 55, 1123 København
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A still from 'Til et yngre jeg' which is part of the 'Young Danish Talent' program. Photo: Til et yngre jeg