Living in the Real World

Amma, Do Giraffes Cry? – Director: Kartikeya Saxena · Czech Republic · 26 min · English (OmeU)

During a visit to the Prague Zoo, an Indian film director calls his mother, a zoologist. He describes what he’s observing about the lives of the caged animals. Using their own memories, projections, and scientific precision, they decipher the mysterious mechanisms of life.

I’m Looking for Mr. Laser – Director: Laura Boráros · Czech Republic · 6 min · Czech (OmeU)

What would you do if you came across a video in which the laws of physics are convincingly overcome? A zany animated film about the search for the mysterious Mr. Laser, who may or may not exist.

Home Is Where The Heart Is – Director: Timothée Engasser · France · 23 min · French (OmeU)

Mia uses a VR headset to reconstruct the house in which she grew up. It’s the place where her father abused her. Piece by piece, the building takes shape in a painful act of catharsis meant to prevent those memories from dominating her life.

Brasas – Director: Baltazar Mello · Belgium · 22 min · Portuguese (OmeU)

The secluded region near the village of Lageosa in the heart of Portugal was ravaged by wildfire in 2024. But environmental destruction isn’t the only problem the community faces. Young people are moving away in ever greater numbers. Life must go on somehow. But for how much longer?

o – Director: Francisca Alarcão · Spain, Portugal · 14 min · Portuguese (OmeU)

Francisca suffers from an inexplicable and uncontrollable aversion to belly buttons — and to anything that resembles this unremarkable body part. Since even her therapist is unable to help her, Francisca turns to alternative methods in an effort to finally overcome her phobia.