Sehsüchte Internationales Studierendenfilmfestival (54)

Festival start: 23 April 2025      Festival end: 27 April 2025

From April 23 to 27, 2025, the 54th edition of the Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival, one of Europe's largest festivals for up-and-coming filmmakers, will take place in Potsdam. It offers up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world a platform to present their work to a wide audience and make contacts in the industry. Started in the 1970s as a GDR film festival for young filmmakers, Sehsüchte has established itself over the decades as an internationally important film festival and has become an integral part of Berlin and Brandenburg's cultural landscape.
Sehsüchte sees itself as a place of encounter and creation, as an event of cultural diversity and a celebration of cinema, today and tomorrow. The organization and implementation of the festival is entirely in the hands of students from the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. This enables a dynamic exchange between young talents, media makers and researchers.
Motto: beyond
The motto of the Sehsüchte film festival in 2025 is beyond. The motto is intended to emphasize the diverse and profound aspects of the festival that go beyond the ordinary and connect both the past and the future of filmmaking. beyond embodies the idea of building a bridge between nostalgic elements and modern innovations.The focus is on the synergies that arise when different generations and perspectives, young filmmakers and industry experts, come into contact and learn from each other. beyond reflects the diversity of stories that are to be told at Sehsüchte. In an increasingly polarized social climate, we position ourselves as willing to listen to all voices and remain open. Regardless of origin, financial means, level of education, gender and our other differences, we want to offer everyone a chance for a platform. We want to think our festival beyond boxes, borders and barriers.With beyond, we invite our audience to broaden their own horizons and explore new ideas and concepts. The aim is to overcome cultural, geographical and ideological boundaries in order to create a platform for a diverse narrative.






Sections
● Fiction Film
● Documentary
● Engaged Film
● Focus: Animation
● Future: Kids
● Future: Teens
● Virtual Reality
● Exhibition - Beyond the Screen
● Schreibsüchte (Script)
● Retrospective
● Showcase
● Genre Film

Cash Prizes: 35,000€

Prizes

Best Fiction Film
Outstanding Artistic Achievement in a Fiction Film
Best Documentary Film
Outstanding Artistic Achievement in a Documentary Film
Best Animated Film
Best Engaged Film
Best Children's Film
Best Teen's Film
Best VR-Project
Best Script
Best Pitch

Awards

Best Genre Film (Audience Award)

Film entries must have been completed after January 1, 2024 and must not have been shown in a previous edition of Sehsüchte. VR films submitted to the Virtual Reality section are an exception. For these, they must have been completed after January 1, 2022.
No premiere status is required (previous participation in a German or foreign film festival is not an exclusion criterion).
The Sehsüchte Festival does not charge a submission fee. Costs may be incurred by the submission platform. Sehsüchte does not pay screening fees. Films in non-English language must be subtitled in English upon submission. Films submitted to the Future section must all be subtitled in English.




Regulations
Reglement of the 54. International Student Film Festival Sehsüchte
1. Conditions of Participation
The following are eligible for submission to the Sehsüchte Film Festival: Short, medium-length, feature-length films and VR experiences as well as screenplays and exposés in the context of Schreibsüchte and exhibition pieces of digital media art for the Exhibition section. All submitted works must be produced by students, created in a university, school or self-taught context or be debut works by up-and-coming filmmakers, emerging artists or career changers.

2. Entries
A complete online registration and submission of the film is required via www.festhome.com by January 12, 2025 at the latest. Submitted films must be available via download link for the festival organizers. To submit a film, the viewing files must be uploaded to www.festhome.com and the other required documents must have reached the Sehsüchte festival office by January 12, 2025 at the latest. It must be ensured that the film remains available online on the platform at least until May 12, 2025. The Sehsüchte Festival reserves the right to extend the submission deadline (January 12, 2025) for all or individual sections.
For films submitted to the Future section, further requirements apply in addition to the above conditions (see section 4.4). For films submitted in the Focus: Animation section, further requirements apply in addition to the above-mentioned conditions (see section 4.5). Separate submission requirements apply to screenplays and synopses in the Writing Addictions section (see sections 4.6 and 4.7).
Note for debut filmmakers: For debut films, the corresponding section with “Debut” in the title (e.g. Feature Film Debut) should be used for the submission on the submission platform.
3. Programme and Website
All films, screenplays and synopses selected for the official programme are in competition for prizes and awards, with the exception of the Showcase. By submitting a film, the submitter agrees to the potential selection of the work in question for one of the competitions. If selected for the festival programme by the programme commission, two accreditations will be awarded to the authors. There is no legal claim regarding the selection for the festival programme and the competitions. In exceptional cases, the Sehsüchte Festival reserves the right to show submitted films outside of the competition, but within the framework of the festival.


3.1 Selection and Programming
Each submitted work (film, screenplay, synopsis or exhibition piece) will be screened for all eligible sections. The selection and programming of the works as well as the allocation to the competitions are carried out by the programme commission and on the basis of the viewing files or the screenplays, synopses or exhibition pieces.
Only one section per film can be selected for submission. Irrespective of this, the film may also be considered for other competition categories. The Sehsüchte Festival reserves the right to nominate a work for one or more awards.
Notification of a screening within the festival programme or participation in the competition is expected to be sent by e-mail by 18 March 2025. Cancellations will be communicated via the submission platform or by e-mail. For organizational reasons, notification of a cancellation may not be sent until after 18 March 2025. The Programme Committee has the right to allow exceptions in special and justified cases.
If the submitted film is selected by the Programme Committee, screening copies (Section 8.1 - 8.3) and other documents (Section 8.9) must be provided.

4. Sections with Prizes
4.1 Fiction Film
This section includes films with predominantly fictional content. Films running in this section have the chance to win the following prizes: Best Fiction Film (short, medium & feature-length, awarded to the director), Outstanding Artistic Achievement in a Fiction Film (short, medium & feature-length, awarded to visual design, editing, original score, writing, acting, scenography, sound design or special effects). The fiction films selected by the programme commission will be shown in the festival programme.
4.2 Documentary Film
This section includes films with predominantly non-fictional content. Animated documentaries can also be submitted. Films running in this section have the chance to win the following prizes: Best Documentary (short, medium & feature length, awarded to the director) and Outstanding Artistic Achievement in a Documentary (short, medium & feature length, awarded to visual design, editing, original score, sound design or writing). The documentary films selected by the programme committee will be shown in the festival programme.
4.3 Engaged Film

This section includes films that draw attention to socially relevant issues in a particularly activist way and thus stand up for marginalized groups. Documentaries as well as fiction films and animated films are eligible (short, medium or feature-length films). The committed films selected by the programme commission will be shown in the festival programme. Films with a committed character can also be honored in other sections.



4.4 Future: Kids + Teens
This competition is aimed at viewers aged 6 and over (Future: Kids) and 12 and over (Future: Teens). Real and animated films, both fictional and non-fictional, can be submitted. Films running in this competition have the chance to win the Best Children's Film or Best Youth Film award. The children's and youth films selected by the programme commission will be shown in the festival programme.
Special submission rules apply for this competition: All films submitted that contain dialog must be subtitled in English. As the children's films are expected to be dubbed during the screening, a complete dialog list in German (or English) is required for each invited film. It should be noted that the films undergo an FSK check (FSK 0 or FSK 6 or FSK 12) after submission, which is carried out on the basis of the German Youth Protection Act (JuSchG) and the principles of the FSK (Voluntary Self-Regulation of the Film Industry). Unfortunately, films submitted that are classified by the FSK as unsuitable for children or young people cannot be shown in the Future: Kids or Teens section.

4.5 Focus: Animation
This section includes films that were predominantly created using animation or trick technology. Films running in this competition have the chance to win the Best Animated Film award. The animated films selected by the programme commission will be shown in the festival programme.
The submission must have reached the programme commission by January 12, 2025 at the latest. If you have any questions about submission, please contact fokusanimation@sehsuechte.de.
4.6 Schreibsüchte: Script
Screenplays submitted to Schreibsüchte have the chance to win the Best Screenplay award. All German-language, as yet unfilmed screenplays with a planned minimum running time of 50 minutes or for serial episodes with a running time between 45 and 60 minutes including a concept paper of the further development of the series in 10-15 Pages can be submitted. The screenplays nominated for the competition are expected to be read out in a staged reading in front of an audience as part of Schreibsüchte: Kopfkino. Sehsüchte reserves the right to record the staged reading and publish it online. To apply, the application form available on the website must be completed and sent with the screenplay by e-mail to schreibsuechte@sehsuechte.de by January 12, 2025.
4.7 Schreibsüchte: Pitch

Submitted synopses have the chance to win the Best Pitch award. As part of a pitch event during the festival, the nominated authors present the concepts of their as yet unfilmed idea for a fiction film or documentary, a series or a format. The presentation takes the form of a pitch in front of an audience and jury. The German-language synopsis submitted must not exceed 7 A4 pages in length. To apply, the application form available on the website must be completed and sent with the synopsis by e-mail to schreibsuechte@sehsuechte.de by January 12, 2025.
A nomination obliges the applicant to be present on the day of the competition, which will take place within the expected festival period from April 23 to 27, 2025. Notification of the exact date will be sent with the invitation to the festival. Sehsüchte reserves the right to record the pitch event and publish it online.

4.8 Virtual Reality
As part of the VR competition, there is a chance to win the prize: Best VR-Project. All VR projects with a length of two minutes or more are eligible. The projects must have been completed after January 1, 2022. At the discretion of the selection committee, non-linear VR experiences may also be included in the section.
The VR-Projects must be submitted according to the technical requirements as video files or interactive formats (see section 8.1). Entry is to happen via file sharing platforms such as WeTransfer, Google Drive or MyAirBridge to virtualreality@sehsuechte.de. The Projects must be submitted at the latest until Febuary 11th, 2025. Additionally, the PDF Entry Form must be filled out and also submitted until the 11th of Febuary 2025 to virtualreality@sehsuechte.de.
Submissions which are not in English must be subtitled in English. The selected VR-Projects will be showcased in a VR-Space at the festival. Should the project not be finished upon submission, the final must be Sollte das Werk bei der Einreichung noch nicht fertiggestellt sein, muss die finale Datei spätestens bis zum 15. März 2025 für die Ausstellung bereitgestellt werden.
Die Dateien werden ausschließlich zum Zweck der Programmauswahl gespeichert, und nur das Festival-Team hat Zugriff darauf. Nicht ausgewählte Arbeiten werden nach Abschluss des Auswahlprozesses gelöscht.
Bei Fragen zur Sektion Virtual Reality wenden Sie sich bitte an: virtualreality@sehsuechte.de.

4.9 Other
Films in other categories not listed above (e.g. experimental film, dance film, erotic film, music video) will be assigned to one of the above categories by the programme committee and have the chance to be nominated for one of the above award categories and shown in the festival programme. Image or advertising films are not permitted.
5. Sections with Awards
5.1 Genre Film
This section includes fictional works from the above-mentioned sections of fiction films and animated films (short & medium-length films) that have clear genre references (e.g. horror, fantasy or science fiction). The genre films selected by the programme commission will be shown in the festival programme as part of a one-off film block screening and have a chance of winning the Best Genre Film award, which is determined by audience vote. The selected genre films remain part of their original section competitions and still have a chance of winning the respective awards (Best Fiction Film or Best Animated Film).

6. Jurys, Prizes and Awards
Independent juries consisting of experts and personalities from the film and media industry decide on the awards and prizes. The best films in the Future section are selected by a children's and youth jury. The award for the best genre film is selected by the audience and is based exclusively on the results of the voting.
7. Exhibition — Beyond the Screen
The exhibition recognizes innovative works and exhibits of audiovisual art that make creative use of modern technologies on site. We are particularly interested in thre categories: Live Audiovisuals, Projection Mapping and Artistic Research.
7.1 Live-Audiovisuals: Experimental Approaches to Audiovisual Narratives
We are looking for unconventional projects that explore the interplay of sound and image. These include experimental approaches to audiovisual narratives, in particular live performances, immersive installations and interactive media art. A physical presence of the selected artists during the entire festival is mandatory in order to present the projects to an audience in an exhibition and performance space.
Applications are open until January 31, 2025 by email to exhibition@sehsuechte.de and must include the following:
The filled out Form which can be found on our website under “Exhibition - Beyond the Screen”
a detailed, two- to three-page description of the planned work (in German or English) including photos and/or videos
a technical rider (layout, setup, required equipment)
a short biography of the main participants (up to 150 words)
a request for travel grants, if required
Travel allowances may be possible. Exhibition - Beyond the Screen must comply with the hygiene regulations and corona protection measures in force during the festival period and reserves the right to weigh up international and domestic travel accordingly.
7.2 Projection Mapping at Waschhaus
As part of the projection mapping programme, we are looking for captivating audiovisual, immersive works with a duration of at least two and a maximum of seven minutes. You must register your interest by January 31, 2025 - please send an e-mail to exhibition@sehsuehte.de with the subject “Projection Mapping”. Detailed information and core files will be sent on request.
Concrete concepts as well as a short biography (up to 150 words) must also be submitted to exhibition@sehsuehte.de by February 7, 2025 with the following:
The filled out Form which can be found on our website under “Exhibition - Beyond the Screen”
a detailed, two- to three-page description of the planned work (in German or English) including photos and/or videos
The selected concepts are expected to be announced by February 14, 2025. For selected projects, a trailer and a detailed description must be submitted by April 01, 2025. The final work must be submitted by April 07, 2025.The physical presence of the artist is not mandatory for the projection mapping.
7.3 Artistic Research
This category is aimed at students and young artists who see themselves as visionaries and want to delve deeper into the intersection of art, technology and critical thinking. We are looking for artistic research and concepts that question the digital media space and open up innovative perspectives on their role in art, society and culture. Submitted projects can include theoretical research, essays, practice-based artistic experiments, discussion panels on relevant topics, workshops, presentations, etc....
Unpublished projects may be submitted, as we are specifically targeting students and young researchers. Applications are possible until January 31, 2025 by e-mail to exhibtion@sehsuechte and must include the following:

The filled out Form which can be found on our website under “Exhibition - Beyond the Screen”
Abstract (max. 300 words): A summary of the work and its relevance for the category
Complete work (optional): If available, a video presentation or the paper itself

Files submitted as part of the exhibition will be saved for the purpose of programme selection. Only the festival team has access to the files. Works that are not selected will be rejected and deleted from the festival database.
If you have any questions about the Exhibition section, please contact exhibition@sehsuechte.de.

8. Festival Films
8.1 Screening Formats
All films selected for the festival programme, except VR films, must be provided as a screening copy in DCP format. InterOp DCP and SMPTE DCP are permitted. The programme committee reserves the right to request other formats of the submitted films (e.g. ProRes files).
In addition, a full HD video file (1080p; .mp4;) must be provided.
VR films must be provided as a video file that is compatible with common VR glasses such as Oculus or HTC Vive for screening in the Virtual Reality space. For the possible online screening, another video file with stereo sound should be submitted that is optimized for streaming and works with common smartphone VR systems (e.g. Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear).

8.2 Submission Deadline and Shipping of Screening Copy

All screening copies (DCPs and video files) of the invited competition entries must be received by March 22, 2025 at the latest. Ideally, the screening copies should be sent via a file-sharing platform (e.g. WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive). Alternatively, the screening copies can also be sent by post.
The address is:
Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
Sehsüchte – „Vorführkopie“
Marlene-Dietrich-Allee 11
14482 Potsdam-Babelsberg
Shipments sent from countries outside the EU must bear the following note in order to keep customs duties as low as possible: “No commercial value, for cultural purposes only”. If a value of goods is to be entered, this should be as low as possible. Sehsüchte cannot assume any transportation, customs or other costs associated with the shipment of the screening copy and other documents. Costs incurred due to incorrect declaration must be charged to the sender. In addition, screening copies can be delivered in person to the Sehsüchte office at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF by appointment.

8.3 Language of Screening Copies
Screening copies in non-English language must contain English subtitles. All non-English language films in the festival programme will be screened in the original language with English subtitles; non-German language children's films may be subtitled simultaneously in German. All children's and youth films must have English subtitles. Subtitles should be at the bottom of the screen, not within a letterbox
.
8.4 Return of Screening Copies
On request, the screening copies will be sent to the address given in the submission form within eight weeks of the end of the festival. The Sehsüchte Festival will bear the costs for the return shipment of the screening copies. The festival participant bears the liability for transportation to, from and from the festival.

8.5 Insurance of Screening Copies
The screening copies will be made available by the festival participant on loan for the duration of the festival. The screening quality depends on the correctness and completeness of the technical information on sound and format. The insurance cover for the copy is limited on the part of Sehsüchte to the material value of the copy and is valid from the time of arrival at the festival office (download) until it is returned to the address given on the submission form. Compensation in the event of loss depends on the coverage provided by the insurance. In addition, liability for slight negligence on the part of Sehsüchte is excluded. The festival participant bears the risk of transportation to, from and from the festival.

8.6 General Conditions of Use

The screening copies are provided free of charge by the festival participant for the duration of the festival. Sehsüchte does not pay any screening fees.
The works selected for the festival programme can be screened publicly up to six times within the Sehsüchte venues during the Sehsüchte festival.
The festival participant will also make the screening copy available to the festival for up to six months after the end of the festival for possible retrospective screenings. Furthermore, Sehsüchte has the option of making the film available on an online platform for a certain period of time after the festival. The consent of the rights holders will be obtained separately if necessary.


Sehsüchte will inform the submitters immediately in the event of a claim by a third party. The festival receives further rights free of charge, limited in time and space according to the selection made in the submission form. The festival reserves the right to digitize all selected works for viewing and
digitize all selected works for viewing and screening purposes.
The submitting person confirms that, if the submitted film is selected, all necessary rights for viewing and screenings within the framework of Sehsüchte 2025 have been clarified and will be transferred to the organizers.
With the submission, the submitter declares that he/she is the rights holder of the submitted work. The submitter warrants that the materials provided are free of third-party rights. In the event that third parties assert claims against the Sehsüchte Festival with regard to the materials and works provided, the submitter shall indemnify Sehsüchte against these claims and shall also assume the costs incurred by Sehsüchte for the necessary legal defense.

Furthermore, the submitter agrees that his/her selected work may be advertised by Sehsüchte via channels classified as relevant for an unlimited period of time and space. For this purpose, the media content specified in the submission process may be used to create advertising and marketing materials for Sehsüchte.The design of these means is at the discretion of the festival organizers. In the case of cinematic works, excerpts of a maximum of 10% of the total running time may be used for advertising and marketing purposes.

8.7 Screenings for Press and Industry
Accredited press representatives and trade visitors will be given the opportunity to view all festival entries on the basis of the screening copy upon request, unless such a screening has been expressly objected to in writing before March 22, 2025 at presse@sehsuechte.de.

8.8 Archiving of Viewing Files and further rights of use
The festival organiser is furthermore granted the right to store screening files for an unlimited period of time (regardless of format) and to use and archive them for internal, non-commercial purposes.
Furthermore, the festival organiser is granted the right to screen the films or excerpts thereof at anniversary or similar film university events for an unlimited period of time and, if the corresponding rights have been granted, to use them in the context of reporting (of the festival itself, the press, the film university).
8.9 Other Documents
If the film entry is selected for the festival programme (further information will follow with the confirmation email), additional documents will be requested:
1. screening copy (according to the information under point 7.1)
2. three stills of the submitted film (each digital, at least 1000x500px at 300dpi, jpg) 3. a photo of the nominee (digital, 600x800px at 140dpi, jpg)
4. bio and filmography of the nominee

8.10 Online Catalogue and Physical Programme
Sehsüchte intends to publish the information stated in the submission form regarding title, languages used, genre, running time, year of production, country of production, production company or institution, color, one or more film stills, an image and a biography as well as a filmography of the director or other nominated persons from the film team, credits and a contact address in an online catalog on the festival's website (www.sehsuechte.de). For the short description, either the given synopsis is used in full or in part or a separate text is written. Excerpts of the above information will be used for a possible programme booklet.
9. Concluding Remarks
The registration of a film, exhibition piece, screenplay or exposé for the Sehsüchte Festival implies acceptance of the regulations. The applicant must ensure that third parties who were involved in the production agree to their participation. There is no legal claim regarding the selection for the festival programme. The overall festival coordination has the right to regulate all cases not provided for in the guidelines and to allow exceptions in special and justified cases. The overall festival coordination decides on all questions not covered by these regulations.