Join us for the closing night of the EuroAsia Shorts Film Festival 2025 at the Embassy of Austria. In this joint event, nine countries from Asia and Europe (Austria, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Oman, South Korea and Spain) present new short films, which follow the theme for this year's festival: Beyond Limits.
Like joy, growth, and change, obstacles are a natural and universal part of life. But it is how we face them—or overcome them—that reveals our true character, values, and shared humanity. Hardships, both great and small, demand we respond with perseverance, courage, and resilience. Other challenges call for profound resistance and strength when we are pushed beyond our limits or into conflict. The many trials we face in life—as individuals, nations, and humanity as a whole—ultimately require us to look beyond the moment to preserve hope and seek justice, even in the face of insurmountable odds. What would we be were it not for the struggles that fortify and define us?
Explore with us the great variety of international shorts and the directors’ varying approaches to this subject matter.
All films are subtitled in English. They are not rated and may contain adult language or themes.
The evening will begin with a variety of light international refreshments.
You will find detailed information about the festival and films here.
PROGRAM 2025
Cafuné
Spain, 2024, 7 min.
Directors: Lorena Ares and Carlos F. de Vigo
Alma, a lonely girl, relives her traumatic past when her doll falls into the pool, pulling her back to the shipwreck of the small boat from which she was the sole survivor. Luna, her rescuer, helps her overcome her trauma and rebuild her life.
창귀 (Chang-gui)
Korea, 2024, 5 min.
Directors: Park Doo-hyung, Lee Chan Ha, Jung Yi-chun
An old man, in search of his granddaughter taken by a tiger, embarks on an unexpected spiritual journey in this vivid reimagining of a traditional Korean folk tale.
Wolln’s an Kaffee? (A Cup of Coffee?)
Austria, 2023, 6 min.
Director: Magdalena Steiner
An unexpected visit to an elderly woman’s home brings together strangers—a GIS employee, who collects TV license fees, two Jehovah’s Witnesses—and sparks a rare moment of human connection in the midst of loneliness.
Candy.zip
Japan, 2017, 4 min.
Director: Misato Tomoki
In this whimsical yet thought-provoking short, Aoko takes pride in the documents she produces at work—though her efforts go unnoticed. One day, she catches a colleague secretly editing her files. Before she can speak out, she is turned into a piece of candy to keep her quiet.
S’Ozzastru
Italy, 2023, 8 min.
Director: Carolina Melis
This is the story of a thousand-year-old tree, S’Ozzastru, a resilient ambassador of Nature and a silent witness of History. Beneath its branches, the lives of men and women slip by, often unaware of how much their existence depends on its presence.
Resilience: The Story of Ziyad
Oman, 2025, 5 min.
Director: Abdullah Al-Yahyaei
This short chronicles the inspiring journey of Ziyad, a determined young student with special needs, as he overcomes personal and academic challenges through unwavering resilience. With the steadfast support of his loving family and the inclusive, nurturing environment of Ahmad Bin Majid International School, Ziyad defies expectations and learns to thrive.
Sauf à Gaza (Except in Gaza)
France, 2025, 5 min.
Directors: Najib Chairi and the collective Genious Harmony
Filmed in Brussels in a real-life high school with students playing the parts, this tells the story of a teacher whose lesson plan for the History Class of that day includes World War II and the Holocaust. Disturbed, one student draws parallels with the present day.
Germany (TBA)
Indonesia (TBA)
Discussants
Representatives of EAS partner organizations.
Moderated by Sarah Bamberger, Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum Washington
Visit www.EuroAsiaShortsDC.com for updates.