LusOFest goes Sommerwerft

“AM, IM, AUF UND UNTER WASSER” SILENT CINEMA

Tue., 4 August 2026, 21h45, Silent Cinema @ Sommerwerft
Shorts, Brasilien, Germany, Portugal, OmeU, ~80 min

In keeping with the theme of this year’s Sommerwerft, “The Ocean Begins in Frankfurt,” LusOFest will present a program of short films set “In, on, and under the water” on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The program features regional films from the Rhine-Main and Hesse regions as well as the Portuguese-speaking world and consists of a hand-picked selection from the 2026 LusOFest program and our shortlist.

Silent Cinema is a collaboration between Sommerwerft and Pupille Unikino, and is sponsored by Hessen Film & Medien. Screenings take place outdoors (even in bad weather) on the small stage where the children’s program is shown during the day (near the “Porto Brasil” bar). The audio is transmitted via wireless headphones, which can be borrowed for free on site. We show all films, including German-language ones, with English subtitles.

21:45 Uhr – “In, on, and under Wasser” short film programme

«IRMGARD JUMPS» (Irmgard springt), DE 2024, Vanessa Rösgen, German, CC Englisch. Fiction, 4′
«YOU BELONG TO THE RIVER» (Tu Que o Rio Habitas), PT 2024. José Freitas. Portuguese, CC Englisch. Fiction, 10′
«PEOPLE UNDER WATER» (Menschen unter Wasser), DE 2024, Paul Galli, German, CC Englisch. Fiction, 18′
«HOW A RIVER IS BORN» (Como Nasce um Rio), BR 2025. Luma Flôres. Keine Dialoge. Animation, 9′
«AMAZORIOCA» BR 2025. António Aleixo. Portuguese, CC Englisch. Documentary, 15′
«WATER IN THE GILLS» (Água nas Guelras) PT 2022. Marco Schiavon. Portuguese, CC Englisch. Documentary, 25′

Click here to see more details about the movies!

ImIn the four-minute short film «IRMGARD JUMPS» by Vanessa Rösgen, retiree Irmgard realizes at the swimming pool that she has forgotten something, but manages to find a solution. «YOU BELONG TO THE RIVER» is a visual essay about a young rower who, during a traditional ritual, takes to the water blindfolded to rely entirely on the river’s current. Details about the other films will follow shortly. «PEOPLE UNDER WATER» tells the story of two sisters who have grown apart and are confronted with this reality when they find themselves stranded on a swimming platform with their classmate while trying to retrieve a time capsule. The animated film «HOW A RIVER IS BORN» follows protagonist Ayla as she immerses herself in a mountainous natural landscape and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. In the documentary «AMAZORIOCA», Renato, originally from Rio, reflects on identity, the legacy of an indigenous tribal territory in the Brazilian Amazon, and the price of progress. «WATER IN THE GILLS» tells the story of Franz, of German descent, who emigrated to the Azores with his parents in his youth and has since lived there in harmony with the tides and the local rhythm.

The short films will be screened outdoors at the Wesler Werft. The program will take place rain or shine. Admission is free; the festival is funded by on-site donations. All films will be shown in their original language with English subtitles. Given the festival’s open format, you’re welcome to come and go as you please during the program. Come check it out!