
SHIFT Film Festival 2022
Shifting Distance.
The SHIFT Film Festival invites all filmmakers and film viewers to an experience of connecting with like-minded people in a festival space: take part in Short Film Competition & Director's Village and network with filmmakers from all over the world!
SHIFT Film Festival 2022
We celebrate the eighth edition of the SHIFT Film Festival from september 14-18, 2022 and we do so in spite, and maybe especially because, of the crazy times that 2020 & 2021 have brought us so far.
This year’s edition of SHIFT Film Festival will run onsite in Heerlen. Filmmakers will enhance their filmmaking skills during our new, unique program Director's Village and the SHIFT Workshops. We also host the Limburg Film Pitch, where you can win a grant of €2.000. Last but not least, we have lots of short films, feature films in collaboration with Filmhuis De Spiegel and a special Ukrainian Focus.
Program & Tickets
Join us and improve your script writing skill! Take your script and project plan to a higher level with our online pitch training.
Join us and improve your script writing skill! Take your script and project plan to a higher level with our online pitch training.
Who is this Karim D. ? The new young writer whom the media can't get enough of? Or his alias, Arthur Rambo, the author of old hate-fuellled messages which are dredged up, one day, from social media websites.
Queen, Mari Ørstavik, fiction, Mediefabrikken, Norway
Let It Burn, Adam Starsmark, fiction, FilmCloud, Sweden
Ada and Naemi, Wiebke Becker, fiction, MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Lucas Brunelli Donnard, Germany
Little Lark, Catriona MacLeod, fiction, GMAC, Scotland
January Seventh, Jamila Versi, fiction, Film Workshop Copenhagen, Denmark
Sunshine Motel, Rosita Wolkers, fiction, New Noardic Wave, The Netherlands
In Pieces, Nils Hanssen, fiction, CineSud, The Netherlands
Lesya has committed a crime of passion which brings her a seven-year sentence in one of Odessa’s women’s correctional facilities. She has just given birth to her first child, and now she is entering a world populated only by women: inmates, nurses and wardens, women of all ages, wives and widows, daughters, sisters, pregnant women, and women with children. If not for the color of the uniform, it would sometimes be hard to tell who is who.
Brass Fest Forever is a new wind music festival that was first launched in 2021 in Heerlen. For the 2022 edition, Brass Fest Forever is collaborating with the residents of the Royal Theater; CineSud and Filmhuis De Spiegel for the screening of some sparkling music films on September 16 and 17 during SHIFT Film Festival.
Anas, a former rapper, is employed in a cultural centre. Encouraged by their new teacher, the students will try to free themselves from the weight of traditions to live their passion and express themselves through hip hop culture.
During our Writer's Workshop you will develop your script and project plan even further with intensive group coaching. Team up to correct and improve your story, brainstorm with other participants, and learn from your coach.
Participant needs to have a script in development. To apply, please follow the link.
Enhance your Director’s vision! Learn to affirm your style and find your voice through our Director’s workshop. Team up to correct and improve your directing skills, and exchange with the other participants and the coach, on the importance of a vision, and what it needs to be made your own.
Participants need to have a script in development. To apply, please follow the link.
Come and watch several Ukrainian short films to discover, learn and support Ukrainian cinematographic identity.
The screening will be held free of charge for the Ukrainian refugees who live in the Netherlands. The earnings from ticket sales will be donated to support Ukraine.
Forest Song, Andrey Naumenko, animation, Ukraine, 2 min
This film is about what people are focusing on and what they sometimes miss.
Dad’s Sneakers, Olha Zhurba, fiction, Ukraine, 19 min
13-year-old Sasha lives in a boarding school for children deprived of parental care. He is one of the luckiest – a family has finally agreed to adopt him. Today he will move to America forever - but there’s something that won’t let him go.
Krovyanka, Arkasha Nepytaliuk, fiction, Ukraine, 23 min
While parents, people of traditional rural values, are cooking blood sausage for the visit of daughter-in-law, Andriy, their son, tries to communicate the fact his fiancee is Jewish.
The Prince and the Mystery of the Charmed Frog, Nataliya Skryabina, animation, Ukraine, 4 min
This is an ironic story about the relativity of any stereotype situation, based upon the folk tale about the Prince and the Frog-Princess.
Mia Donna, Pavlo Ostrikov, fiction, Ukraine, 14 min
The life of forty-six- year-old Oksana changes when her husband Tolik turns into a seven-year- old boy. Doctors are powerless and nobody can turn him back.
Not Today, Khrystyna Syvolap, fiction, Ukraine, 18 min
The old man Lyosha and his lady Christie decided to die happily in one day. But Lyosha has to finish something very important first. He does desperate things to implement his secret plan and convince his woman to delay the day of their death.
The story of the life and career of the legendary rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles, from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom during the 1950s and 1960s.
Don’t miss the first part of the Short Film Competition where International films will compete for the Best Film Award and a cash prize of €250, Special Jury Mention and a cash prize of €100 and the Audience Award.
The selected films will be listed here after the 20th of August.
These are the selected films for the second part of the International Short Film Competition. Who do you think will take home the awards and prizes? Get ready to vote on your favorite film.
The selected films will be listed here after the 20th of August.
Limburg has so much to offer! In this competition, discover films that are produced in Limburg. The films will compete for the Best Euregion Film Award and a cash prize of €250, Special Jury Mention and a cash prize of 100€ and the Audience Award.
Undergrowth, Tim Ewalts, fiction, Belgium, 16 min
Two brothers and their father who live secluded in a forest. While their father tries to teach them how to become lumberjacks, the two are stuck in an escalating struggle for power.
Funkele, Nicole Jachmann, fiction, The Netherlands, 16 min
Fifteen-year-old Robin and her best friend Merel share everything and are inseparable. Except for Robin's budding sexuality and curiosity.
Shut, Niels Bourgonje, fiction, The Netherlands, 15 min
When Jonas visits his father after a long time, he's shocked to find him in a confused state. Has his father's mental state badly deteriorated or is something more sinister going on?
Dick, Kiki Henger, fiction, The Netherlands, 7 min
When Ben tries to hold his brother back from making the wrong choices, the opposite happen.
Come and watch different out of competition SHIFT Special films, and meet their makers to share the joy and exaltation during the award show as we announce the winners of the Film Competition & Film Pitch!
All That Could Be, Sam van Zoest, The Netherlands, 17 min
An introverted millennial goes on vacation with his sister's artist group where he is challenged to push his boundaries.
Wine, Anna Demianenko, The Netherlands, 25 min
After 10 years of not seeing her family, Sanne has to spend a night at their house, waiting for her father to wake up after a risky surgery. She fears that with the death of her father, she can never be a part of this family again.
The Pamphlet, Justin Heyl, The Netherlands, 17 min
October 1944. Allied forces are determined to destroy the sea-dikes of the Netherlands. Pamphlets warning the citizens of the impending danger fall into the hands of two young lovers on a secret rendezvous in the dunes. They rush back to their homes to sound the alarm, but the danger is already too close.
Stay for the networking drinks, meet & mingle the filmmakers and audience and engage in driven conversations around refreshing beverages.
Please note: tickets for the feature film screenings can only be bought via partner Filmhuis De Spiegel.
Great networking opportunities, valuable workshops and training options all at one location.Remy Kooi
Meet the Jury!
Zorba Huisman | Director
Zorba Huisman is a director and also member of the artistic team of Theatergroup Maastricht for the talent development trajectory. In 2021 she directed Lentekus, Zomerkus, Herfstkus and Winterkus; each a series of six short films in sign of the beginning of new seasons. She also has created two documentaries.

Romano Haynes | Actor
Romano Haynes is a film and theater actor based in Rotterdam. Graduated from Toneelacademie Maastricht in 2019 Romano played a recurring role in the NPO series “Dit Zijn Wij” from 2019 to 2020. In 2020 he created the VaderSessie session, a “platform voor vaders in alle vormen” where Romano focuses on parenting and fatherhood through his posts, podcasts and videos. He currently works both for the screen and the stages in many productions and series.

Patrick Tass | Director
Patrick Tass is a Belgian director of Palestinian origin born in Beirut in 1992. He completed degrees in directing at ALBA (Lebanon) and scriptwriting at the ULB (Belgium). As a script doctor, he teaches cinema analysis and scriptwriting courses at various Belgian cinema labs. He is currently directing two short films and co-writing a feature-film. In his works, Patrick focuses on themes such as identities and sexualities.

Film Selection
Curious which films are selected for SHIFT Film Festival? We will unveil new titles every week in the sections below.
Film Selection | SHIFT Special
Read more on the selected films and enjoy them during SHIFT Film Festival 2022!
All that could be
Sam van Zoest | fiction | The Netherlands | 17 min
An introverted millennial goes on vacation with his sister's artist group where he is challenged to push his boundaries.


Wine
Anna Demianenko | fiction | The Netherlands | 25 min
After 10 years of not seeing her family, Sanne has to spend a night at their house, waiting for her father to wake up after a risky surgery. She fears that with the death of her father, she can never be a part of this family again.


The Pamphlet
Justin Heyl | fiction | The Netherlands | 17 min
October 1944. Allied forces are determined to destroy the sea-dikes of the Netherlands. Pamphlets warning the citizens of the impending danger fall into the hands of two young lovers on a secret rendezvous in the dunes. They rush back to their homes to sound the alarm, but the danger is already too close.


Film Selection | Ukrainian Focus
Read more on the selected films and enjoy them during SHIFT Film Festival 2022!
Forest Song
Andrey Naumenko | animation | Ukraine | 2 min
This film is about what people are focusing on and what they sometimes miss.


Dad’s Sneakers
Olha Zhurba | fiction | Ukraine | 19 min
13-year-old Sasha lives in a boarding school for children deprived of parental care. He is one of the luckiest – a family have finally agreed to adopt him. Today he will move to America forever - but there’s something that won’t let him go.


Krovyanka
Arkasha Nepytaliuk | fiction | Ukraine | 23 min
While parents, people of traditional rural values, are cooking blood sausage for the visit of daughter-in-law, Andriy, their son, tries to communicate the fact his fiancee is Jewish.


The Prince and the Mystery of the Charmed Frog
Nataliya Skryabina | animation | Ukraine | 4 min
This is an ironic story about the relativity of any stereotype situation, based upon the folk tale about the Prince and the Frog-Princess.


Mia Donna
Pavlo Ostrikov | fiction | Ukraine | 14 min
The life of forty-six- year-old Oksana changes when her husband Tolik turns into a seven-year- old boy. Doctors are powerless and nobody can turn him back.


Not Today
Khrystyna Syvolap | fiction | Ukraine | 18 min
The old man Lyosha and his lady Christie decided to die happily in one day. But Lyosha has to finish something very important first. He does desperate things to implement his secret plan and convince his woman to delay the day of their death.


Film selection | Short Film Competition: Made in Limburg
Read more on the selected films and enjoy them during SHIFT Film Festival 2022!
Dick
Kiki Henger | fiction | The Netherlands | 7 min
When Ben tries to hold his brother back from making the wrong choices, the opposite happens.


Funkele
Nicole Jachmann | fiction | The Netherlands | 16 min
Fifteen-year-old Robin and her best friend Merel share everything and are inseparable. Except for Robin's budding sexuality and curiosity.


Shut
Niels Bourgonje | fiction | The Netherlands | 15 min
When Jonas visits his father after a long time, he's shocked to find him in a confused state. Has his father's mental state badly deteriorated or is something more sinister going on?


Undergrowth
Tim Ewalts | fiction | Belgium | 16 min
Two brothers and their father who live secluded in a forest. While their father tries to teach them how to become lumberjacks, the two are stuck in an escalating struggle for power.


Shift to everyone: filmmakers and the audience
Whether you are general film lover, a new filmmaker or a professional one, SHIFT Film Festival offers a dynamic and high quality festival experience, with films from all over the world, inspiring workshops, lectures and more.
Moreover, SHIFT gives a podium to upcoming talents to present their works, organizing special networking events, meet & greets and workshops, so that they can make shifts in their way of filmmaking, expand their network, collaborate with each other, talk with the audience and create new projects.
We are constantly seeking for productions and professionals that set changes in the world. Be the one to shift your boundaries by shifting distance!
Contact us.
Do you have any questions regarding this event? Contact us.