SHORTS
Watch this year's short-films via the window below,
or directly on Byzanfest's YouTube channel.
Scroll down to learn more about this collection of films.
THE RITE OF HOLMGANG
.jpg)
Genre: Drama
Country: Australia
Director: Stephan & Andrew Robinson
A young Viking warrior must overcome both sword and shield as well as the rage behind them, when he takes his father's place in a duel to the death.
Nominated for BEST SHORT-FILM, BEST DIRECTOR (SHORT-FILM) & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (SHORT-FILM)
A WOODLAND STROLL


Genre: Animation
Country: Serbia
Director: Bojan Teodosijevic
An Orthodox reader is taking his daily stroll, during which he encounters supernatural forces.
Nominated for BEST SHORT-FILM & BEST DIRECTOR (SHORT-FILM)
2 (ii)


Genre: Documentary
Country: Greece
Director: Fanis Topsachalidis
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the global population in drastic ways. Supporting and protecting older people living alone in the community is everyone’s business. Families in Greece are living in the same buildings, but the floor separates them. Three generations can't meet each other, but what gives happiness to the aged people?
Nominated for BEST DIRECTOR (SHORT-FILM)
THE STORY OF PROPHET JONAH

Genre: Animation
Country: Serbia
Director: Maria Chaika
Prophet Jonah, from the northern kingdom of Israel in about the 8th century B.C, is called upon by God to travel to Nineveh and warn its residents of impending divine wrath. Instead, Jonah boards a ship to Tarshish.
Nominated for BEST SHORT-FILM
500


Genre: Drama
Country: Romania
Director: Bogdan Albu
Maria saves a man from drowning only to find out that small kindnesses can come back and change your life.
Nominated for BEST SHORT-FILM, BEST DIRECTOR (SHORT-FILM) & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (SHORT-FILM)
SORROW


Genre: Drama
Country: Serbia
Director: Stefan Teofilovic
In a life full of struggles, an old man finally encounters one that he cannot overcome. For the first time, he is unable to fight back. Past, present, and future are torturing his mind. There is no escape, no way out. He's trying to ignore anxious thoughts, but is repeatedly brought back to them.
Nominated for BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (SHORT-FILM)

CHILDREN OF SAVA

Genre: Animation
Country: Serbia
Director: Jakov and Zlata Popov
A story about St. Sava of Storozha through children's eyes.
St. Sava was one of the first disciples of St. Sergius of Radonezh. He was the founder of the monastery to the Nativity of the Theotokos in Zvenigorod, which was later given the name of St. Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery.
Winner of Bronze Knight Award for Best Animation at Tomsk, Russian Federation (2018). Best Animation Award at “The Light of the World” in Yaroslav, Russian Federation (2016).
THE GOOD STRUGGLE


Genre: Documentary
Country: Lebanon
Director: Celia Peterson
‘The Good Struggle’ is an intimate and rare portrayal of an Orthodox Christian monastic community in Lebanon as they go about their simple, traditional and almost silent way of life.
FATHER GABRIEL'S PRAYER


Genre: Animation
Country: United States
Director: Nicholas Tamraz
Father Gabriel, an Orthodox Christian Priestmonk, is on a journey to spread the love and faith of Jesus Christ to all he encounters. Witness Father Gabriel as he applies prayer throughout his day.
DOOR OF PARADISE


Genre: Drama
Country: Jamaica
Director: Joseph Thompson
A man is locked in a cell. Though he has the key to open the door, he needs strength greater than himself to use it.
Nominated for BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (SHORT-FILM)
THE THIRD GRACE

Genre: Documentary
Country: France
Director: Duval Louis-Pierre
In Mayenne, a historic region of French heritage, there is an Orthodox monastery dedicated to the Holy Mother of God. The film is an intimate window on the life of the sisters of the monastery from Morning Prayer until Evening Vespers.
Nominated for BEST SHORT-FILM & BEST DIRECTOR (SHORT-FILM)
Winner of Best Christian Short Film at Istanbul Film Awards 2020
CUPPA

.jpg)
Genre: Documentary
Country: Australia
Director: Stephan & Andrew Robinson
A filmmaker explores his love of tea and friendship.
Nominated for BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (SHORT-FILM)
ORTHODOXY IN THE SHADOWS
OF COMMUNISM

.jpg)
Genre: Documentary
Country: Canada
Director: Andrei Russo
Romania, one of Europe’s most religious countries, has endured the horrors and brutality of a communist regime only to emerge victorious.
SEARCHING FOR HAPPINESS

.jpg)
Genre: Documentary
Country: Romania
Director: Dinu Cristian
What are people searching for most? Isn’t the happiness they have enough? And, if we all want it, are we searching it as it should? Let’s be happy, all of us! In this short film, the kids from Pro Vita orphanage are playing a game that makes them understand this.