Michael Schaff and Thomas Toth, media design students at Mainz University of Applied Sciences, have had their documentary "Qalqiliya's Zoo" selected as one of the twelve films in the "Next Generation Short Tiger" short film program, which will premiere on May 17 during the Cannes International Film Festival.
“Qalqiliya’s Zoo” is a documentary about the only zoo in the West Bank. It is located in the city of Qalqiliya, which is completely enclosed by the Israeli separation barrier. Dr. Sami Khader, a veterinarian and taxidermist at the Qalqiliya Zoo, introduces viewers to the microcosm of the only zoo in Palestine. The film vividly depicts the precarious situation facing not only the zoo but also the city of Qalqiliya, and uses the zoo as an example to provide insight into life in the West Bank.
The “Next Generation” film program, organized by German Films in cooperation with the German Federal Film Board (FFA), introduces promising emerging filmmakers to an international industry audience in Cannes. A total of 60 submissions from 13 film schools were considered for selection; the films were limited to a maximum length of 15 minutes and had to have been produced by students at a German film school during the 2014–15 academic year. Among the members of the selection jury was Oscar winner Caroline Link.
At the film premiere in Cannes on May 17, the filmmakers will personally present their works. The program will then be screened at international festivals and as part of the Festivals of German Film organized by German Films in Madrid, New York, Buenos Aires, Paris, and Moscow. The film premiere in Mainz will take place on May 2 at 3:00 p.m. at the Capitol Cinema, where Mainz University of Applied Sciences will also present other films by its students.
