A good short film entertains and challenges us. It raises a topic, invites reflection, laughter, empathy, surprises us with unexpected twists and turns and generally stimulates conversation. A program of short films also offers the opportunity to compare different techniques, narrative styles and aesthetics.

In short: the short film is ideal for teaching in schools.

However, the large number of short films, some of which are freely available on the Internet, can easily be overwhelming. What’s more, many of them are not suitable for the classroom. The Hamburg Young Short Film Festival Mo&Friese puts together its program each year from around 700 international submissions, of which around 40 films then make it into our festival cinema.

Perhaps you are wondering why you should go to the trouble of coming to the cinema for a short film program? Especially when an entire school morning often has to be jumbled up so that the pupils can make their way to the cinema in company. At first glance, it may not be entirely obvious why it makes a difference to watch a movie in the cinema instead of on a small screen. In company instead of alone. In the presence of filmmakers or without them.

But we always experience great moments at the movies. Because here, questions can be asked after the films. Questions to the filmmakers (if they were able to make the long journey to us from distant countries), questions to the presenters, but also questions among each other. Between the pupils. Here, new perspectives can be tested and a glimpse into foreign worlds can be taken.