The Odense International Film Festival (OFF), Denmark’s most historic and only Oscar-, BAFTA-, and EFA-qualifying film festival, has officially announced its selection for the August 2025 event. From a massive pool of 3,740 short films submitted globally, a meticulously curated lineup of 163 films has been chosen to compete. This selection promises a vibrant showcase of emerging and established talent in the short film arena.
The 163 selected shorts hail from 47 different countries, reflecting a truly international cinematic landscape. Festival organizers describe the chosen films as “wild, provocative, ravishing, wistful and sharp.” Audiences and attending filmmakers can anticipate a rich tapestry of narratives. The program will delve into themes such as “Personal rights and relations. New beginnings. Worldwide changes. Whimsical animated lines and imaginative documentaries,” offering diverse perspectives and innovative storytelling approaches.
Strong Danish Contingent to Shine
Danish cinema will have a significant presence at OFF 2025, with 66 short films selected across various competitive sections. These local productions will be featured in the Danish Competition, the Documentary Competition, the Animation Competition, and the Youth Competition. The selection highlights the depth and breadth of Danish filmmaking, including purely Danish productions as well as co-productions that underscore the collaborative spirit of the nation’s filmmakers.
Illustrating the diverse Danish entries are films such as:
- ‘3.th.’ directed by Emil Pettersson (Denmark), selected for the Documentary Competition.
- ‘Efter Oskar’ by Frida Stannum (Denmark), competing in the Danish Competition.
- ‘Anngeerdardardor’ from director Christoffer Rizvanovic Stenbakken (Denmark, Greenland), which will compete in both the Danish Competition and Youth Competition.
- The animated short ‘Ballad of Halima’ by Mikkel Mainz (Denmark), part of the Animation Competition.
Vibrant International Selection from Around the Globe
The international portion of the competition is equally compelling, with 97 films representing a wide array of global filmmaking talent and perspectives. These films will compete in the International Competition, Documentary Competition, Animation Competition, and Youth Competition. The selection spans the globe, ensuring a rich exchange of cultural viewpoints and cinematic styles.
Notable international entries include:
- ‘A B C’ directed by Javaria Waseem (Pakistan), selected for both the International Competition and Youth Competition.
- ‘Barbed Wire’ by director Gustavo de Carvalho (Brazil), also competing in the International Competition and Youth Competition.
- The German animation ‘As I Was a Tree’ from director Jalal MAGHOUT.
- ‘Cake’, a Norwegian documentary directed by Christian Holm-Glad.
Competition Categories at a Glance
The 163 selected short films will contend across five main competitive strands, each celebrating different facets of short filmmaking:
- Danish Competition: Showcasing the best of new Danish short films.
- International Competition: Presenting a global perspective on contemporary short filmmaking.
- Animation Competition: Celebrating the artistic and narrative innovation in animated shorts.
- Documentary Competition: Highlighting impactful and insightful non-fiction storytelling in the short format.
- Youth Competition: Featuring films that resonate with younger audiences, often drawing entries that also compete in other categories.
Looking Ahead to OFF 2025
The Odense International Film Festival is scheduled to take place in August 2025. It will offer filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinephiles an exciting program of screenings, Q&A sessions, workshops, and networking events. For the readers of Indie Shorts Mag, OFF 2025 represents a key European festival to watch, not only for its prestigious Oscar-, BAFTA-, and EFA-qualifying status but also for its unwavering commitment to championing diverse, provocative, and innovative short cinema from Denmark and around the world. The complete list of all 163 selected films, including full director credits and countries of origin, is available through the festival’s official announcements.
