A showcase of the best experimental / dance / music films in the world today.
AUDIENCE AWARDS:
Best Experimental Film: FRAGILE
Best Music Video: After the Spread
Best Dance Film: CHIMERA
Best Performances: ECHO
Best Poetry Film: Duties of My Heart
Best Direction: Sofia Portanet – Lust feat.
Best Story: Iku Ma Pa Mi (Death Don’t Kill Me)
Best Documentary: Composing Big Sur: John Wineglass’ Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Best Visual Design: SPARKS
See the Full Lineup of Films:
Iku Ma Pa Mi (Death Don’t Kill Me), 9min., Nigeria, Musical
Directed by Akintunde Oluwaseyi Smith
Iku Ma Pa Mi is a modern take on a Yoruba death elegy in which the supplicant hails the mothers and spirits that control death and pleads for their mercy so that they live a long and fulfilling life before the eventuality of death. Performed by Ariky, it is the soundtrack to upcoming movie Ifihan Ika (Manifestation of Wickedness.)
http://www.gsrprong.com/ikumapamihttps://www.instagram.com/gsrprotv
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-iku-ma-pa-mi
Sofia Portanet – Lust feat., 3min., France/Germany, Musical
Directed by Béla Baptiste
Lust delves into themes of love, passion, self-doubt, depression, and healing. The song expresses the longing for closeness and the desire to heal someone through kisses and love. When we feel unwell, we often withdraw and isolate ourselves, making it difficult to let someone in—both emotionally and physically. Allowing oneself to be held, to be loved, and to surrender in another’s arms requires courage and a willingness to open up. Though not always easy, there is beauty in being truly seen for who we are, beyond self-doubt and difficult times.
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-sofia-portanet
Composing Big Sur: John Wineglass’ Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, 35min., USA, Musical
Directed by Douglas Mueller
Composer in Residence John Wineglass’ creative process of his most recent Monterey Symphony commission, Sacred Land: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra.
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-composing-big-sur
Duties of My Heart, 10min., USA, Poetry
Directed by Judy Lieff
Originally shot on 16mm and remastered in 2024 with additional elements, Duties of My Heart breathes life into Barbara Barg’s poem through the expressive and evocative movement of American Sign Language and dance. It creates a visual and auditory poetic experience and weaves a tapestry of sorrow, resilience and revival.
https://www.instagram.com/judylief/
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-duties-of-my-heart
ECHO, 7min., Germany, Musical
Directed by Annekatrin Meyers
Echo is a mountain nymph, cursed by Hera to only ever repeat the last words spoken to her. She falls deeply in love with Narciss, who rejects her, leaving Echo heartbroken. Echo‘s unreturned love and inability to express herself causes her to slowly die. Her bones turn to stone and her voice remains in nature.
https://instagram.com/fee_meyers
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-echo
CHIMERA, 7min., South Korea, Dance
Directed by Minsu Kim
A presence curls up behind a thin veil on stage. From below, the serpent’s head—’Chimera,’ a camera—slithers its way up. The red recording light in Chimera’s lens flickers on, awakening the presence.
https://visualphilosophy.work/
https://www.instagram.com/_hessekim
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-chimera
FRAGILE, 3min., Germany, Experimental
Directed by Lucas Buchholz, Bernd Brink
Every day, millions of packages are shipped, billions of messages are sent—our world seems more connected than ever. Even in the most remote corners of the planet, we are within reach. But have we truly come closer to one another?
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-fragile
After the Spread, 3min., Canada, Musical
Directed by Ash K Tysowski
A group of teenagers navigate their night-life, and their emotions, to the song “After the Spread” by “the Idea of machines”
https://www.ashtanimation.com/animation/after-the-spread\
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-after-the-spread
SPARKS, 2min,. France, Dance
Directed by David Ravel
Alone on a vast stage, a dancer moves through a space sculpted by light. He observes, senses, letting the sensations guide his body. An instinctive dance emerges, visceral, almost organic. Each movement becomes an exploration, a silent quest in resonance with the luminous pulses enveloping him.
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-sparks
Experimental Film & Music Video Festival 