The YAAAS! Competition consists of current European productions, selected by the YAAAS! Young Programmers. After an introduction to the process of curating a film festival in late autumn they came to a selection of six feature-length fiction films (all of them celebrating their Austrian premiere), that deal with the lived realities of youths and young adults in various different ways.
Three YAAAS! Competition films will also be offered as special school screenings. The Young Programmers will be attending every screening, and will present the films, as well as lead Q&A sessions with the attendant film guests. Particularly in this instance, direct communication with the filmmakers and dealing with the medium of film in and of itself is of great importance. Comprehensive school materials (in German only) aim to aid the preparation and follow-up of the screenings.
Admission for youths: 5€ (free for the accompanying person)
Screening dates: 31 May / 1 June / 2 June; hours: 9:00 / 12:00 / 15:00
The screenings are each available for a closed class/group, as one cinema hall can be booked exclusively for individual school classes/groups. The school screenings offered are each closed events with special Covid-19 prevention precautions (group size 10 to 23 people, compliance with the prescribed distances in the hall, etc.).
Registration for the school screenings is currently possible, please send an email to: Lea Bernhard ()
31 May: 9:00 (reserved) // 12:00 (reserved) // 15:00 (reserved)
1 June: 9:00 (reserved) // 12:00 (reserved) // 15:00 (reserved)
2 June: 9:00 (reserved) // 12:00 (reserved) // 15:00 (reserved)
Covid-19-Measures: Of course, we keep an eye on the current developments related to the Covid-19 pandemic and take the responsibility for the health of our audience and our team very seriously. If there are any changes in our program or the handling of our festival, we will inform about it in time on our website and via mailings as well as our social media channels. In addition, all events within the YAAAS! Youth Program will be organizationally aligned with applicable Covid-19 safety & hygiene regulations.
In preparation for the school screenings, the YAAAS! Young Programmers interviewed the directors of the films per video chat, the recordings can be viewed here:
GAGARINE
(France 2020, Directors: Fanny Liatard, Jérémy Trouilh, 97 min, French OV with German subtitles) – fiction film
| Austrian distributor: Polyfilm; release date: tba |
The story revolves around a run-down apartment block in Paris that is named after the first cosmonaut Juri Gagarin, which was seen as being visionary during its time. Over the course of a number of years, the now dilapidated concrete complex became a safe home for a multi-cultural community. The gentle astronomy enthusiast Yuri takes care of the building together with two friends in order to try and save it from being demolished. The undertaking is made difficult by the unhappy inhabitants and the fact that Yuri is left to her own devices from one day to the next. (Fabian Wenzelhumer, 17 years – Young Programmer)
Tags: Coming-of-Age | search for identity | friendship | society & solidarity | family - absent parents | culture clash | immigration | civil disobedience
RÄUBERHÄNDE / STAMBUL GARDEN
(Germany 2020, Director: Ilker Çatak, 90 min, German OV) – fiction film
Having grown up in a quite ordered home, Janik wants to break free from the comfort zone provided by his parents. His fun-loving friend Samuel, who was practically “adopted” by Janik’s parents, grew up without a father, and tries to hide his alcoholic mother from his friends. After having graduated, the two of them want to leave everything behind them, and decide to go to Istanbul, where Samuel intends to find his father and his roots. Yet their friendship is put to the test by an unforgivable act by Janik. (Adrian Turkic, 19 years – Young Programmer)
Tags: coming-of-age | search for identity | friendship | society | family - absent parents | culture clash
SLALOM
(France, Belgium 2020, Director: Charlène Favier, 92 min, French OV with English subtitles) – fiction film
The fifteen year old Lyz is given the chance to start a career as a ski racer when she gets accepted into the professional team. Despite her talent, the beginning proves to be difficult and she has to train even harder than the others. Her trainer Fred sees her potential and is therefore very demanding of Lyz. The minutely organized, hard training regiment has the two of them spending more and more time together, which in turn leaves Lyz’ to face her teammates jealousy. They come ever closer, boundaries are stepped over, and the first wins counted. Will Lyz leave Fred behind her on her way to the top? (Lea Haslmaier, 19 years – Young Programmer)
With SLALOM, the YAAAS! Young Programmers chose a film that addresses a current topic that is relevant beyond the sphere of professional sports - especially for young people. The French film, last year's Cannes Film Festival selection, brings systematic abuse in skiing into focus.
Tags: coming-of-age | competitive sports | search for identity | friendship | society | family - absent parents | abuse of power | sexual abuse
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMbN28ZupTA&feature=emb_logo
Download school materials (German only)
Attention: The film contains scenes of sexual abuse.
