More visibility for our members‘ work—across every stage of filmmaking. From development to festival premieres, cinema releases, and beyond, we believe it’s essential to showcase the entire journey.
If you are a FAS member, you can take part by filling out the monthly form (APRIL).
To further strengthen the local film sector and contribute to the visibility of all our work – become a FAS member!
March has brought a mix of international festival screenings, local events, and industry development opportunities for our members‘ projects.
read more ...
My Boyfriend El Fascista in Stockholm and Prague
My Boyfriend El Fascista, produced by Helios Sustainable Films, continues its festival tour with screenings in Stockholm and Prague. The film, which celebrated its international premiere at Hot Docs in Toronto last year, was heading to the Tempo Festival in Stockholm and One World / Jedensvetcz in Prague, the largest human rights film festival in the world.
The film also received an Honorable mention in Stockholm with the following jury statement: „With well crafted compositions this film positions one man’s struggle for the freedom of his country and people within the frame of a couple relationship. Intimacy and world politics collide, in a way seldom seen. The film avoids cliché and instead allows for arguments of fascism, communism and modern right wing extremism to be fought over angrily eaten casserole. Though ending on a good note, we are left with the feeling of having shared some of the tragedies – political as well as personal – of our time.“
Several FAS members were involved in the production: Martin Rattini (Producer), Daria Akimenko (Junior Producer), Stefano Bernardi and Matilde Ramini (Sound Design), and Silvia Pozzi (Colorist).
Elon Musk Unveiled: The Tesla Experiment Across Europe
Directed by Andreas Pichler and co-edited by Beatrice Segolini, Elon Musk Unveiled: The Tesla Experiment is screening extensively across Europe. The investigative film, based on leaked data from whistleblower Lukasz Krupski, traces Musk’s rise and the safety controversies surrounding Tesla’s autopilot function.
March screenings included:
- Oslo: Three screenings at the HumanIDFF.
- Germany: Cinema release on March 12.
- Copenhagen: Four screenings at CPH:DOX.
- Prague: Two screenings at Jedensvetcz/One World.
- Czech Republic: Cinema release on March 15.
- Leuven: Three screenings at Docville.
Additionally, the film will open the Bolzano Film Festival Bozen in April for viewers in the Trentino-South Tyrol region.
Despite the Scars in Merano
Despite the Scars, directed by Felix Rier, was screened on March 6 at Ostwestclub Estovest in Merano. The screening was followed by a Q&A with the director and the protagonist, Thea Malfertheiner, moderated by Thomas Kobler.
The production involved several FAS members: Helios Sustainable Films (Production Company), Martin Rattini (Producer), Daria Akimenko (Production Assistant), Stefano Bernardi and Matilde Ramini (Sound Design), and Silvia Pozzi (Colorist).
Personale in Merano
Personale, directed by Carmen Trocker and produced by Bagarre Film (Carmen and Ronny Trocker), premiered in the Luminous Section at IDFF 2024 and was screened in March at Docu.emme in Merano. The film follows the housekeeping team of a hotel in the Italian Dolomites, tracing their work through laundry rooms and corridors. By inverting the gaze, the film looks with the workers, revealing the hidden side of the tourist experience.
Nótos at Sguardi Altrove
Nótos by Simona Palmieri, a diploma film from the ZeLIG Film School, competed in the Italian competition at the Sguardi Altrove Women’s International Film Festival in Milan. The film follows a young woman returning to her childhood home to investigate a silent family history and reconnect with her father.
Grand Popo at Nord/Est/Doc/Camp
While we often celebrate finished films, we also highlight the development work behind projects. Grand Popo (working title), directed by Nuno Escudeiro and co-produced by Daria Akimenko and Martin Rattini of Helios Sustainable Films (alongside Solent Production and Bam Bam Cinema), participated in the Nord/Est/Doc/Camp lab.
The first workshop phase took place in Pordenone on March 12–13. The lab, co-organized by the Bolzano, Euganea, and Pordenone film festivals, offers feedback and training on editing, post-production, festival strategy, and distribution. The initiative is supported by the IDM Film & Music Commission, Trentino, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commissions, and the Fondo Audiovisivo FVG.
Our member Nikolaus Schleebrügge served as one of the film’s cinematographers.
Zweitland in Berlin, Graz, and San Francisco
Zweitland, directed by Michael Kofler and co-produced by Martin Rattini of Helios Sustainable Films, had again multiple screenings this month:
- Berlin: March 13 and 15 at Babylon Berlin, with Q&A featuring female lead Aenne Schwarz, editor Florian Miosge, and director Michael Kofler.
- San Francisco: March 22 at the Berlin&Beyond Film Festival.
- Graz: Part of the Diagonale – Festival of Austrian Film, March 18–23.
Moving Mountains on RAI and Beyond
Almost a year after its premiere at the Bolzano Film Festival, where it won the IDM Film & Music Commission Award for Best Short Film of the Euregio, Moving Mountains by Andrea Costa continues its journey. Produced by Verena Ranzi of TaktFilm, the film was broadcast on RAI Alto Adige on March 14 at 22:30.
The documentary follows Moussa, a young man from Guinea, who finds a home on the farm of Rita, a farmer in South Tyrol. Through daily routines and shared challenges, the film explores belonging and the search for a new balance.
Additional FAS members involved include Luca Zontini (Cinematographer) and Beatrice Segolini (Editing Team).
La Realtà LGBTQIA+ in Alto Adige on RAI
On March 29 at 9:00 AM, La Realtà LGBTQIA+ in Alto Adige by Caterina Ferrari was aired on RAI Alto Adige. The documentary explores the LGBTQIA+ community in South Tyrol through personal testimonies and expert voices, marking the occasion of the region’s first-ever Pride celebration last year. The film will be available in the mediathek for those unable to watch live.
As always, we look forward to seeing how our members‘ work continues to reach new audiences and develop further in the coming weeks.
While February is traditionally a very intense month with a lot of people travelling to Berlin, there was also other stuff going on!
read more ...
Souvenirs of War in Genova
Souvenirs of War by Georg Zeller screened in Genova on February 5th at Cinemino Ad Astra at 9 PM. The production involved several FAS members: Martin Rattini (Producer), Daria Akimenko (Assistant Producer), Beatrice Segolini (Editor), Stefania Bona (Cinematographer), Stefano Bernardi (Sound Design), Valerio Moser (Sound Recordist), and Gabriele Borghi (Assistant Editor). The documentary, which premiered in Sarajevo in 2023, explores Bosnia 30 years after the peace agreement, examining the intersection of tourism and memory.
My Boyfriend El Fascista at Docpoint Helsinki
My Boyfriend El Fascista, produced by Helios Sustainable Films with Martin Rattini (Producer) and Daria Akimenko (Junior Producer), was screened at the Docpoint festival in Helsinki on January 31 and February 1. The film also features colorist Silvia Pozzi and sound designers Stefano Bernardi and Mattilde Ramini.
Elon Musk Unveiled – The Tesla Experiment
Following its cinema tour through Germany, which concluded in Brühl earlier this month, Andreas Pichler’s Elon Musk Unveiled – The Tesla Experiment celebrated its Australian premiere at the Antenna Festival in Sydney on February 12. The investigative film examines the development of Tesla’s autopilot function and the subsequent legal battles regarding safety. The film was co-edited by our member Beatrice Segolini.
Zweitland Tour Continues in South Tyrol
Zweitland, co-produced by Helios Sustainable Films (Martin Rattini), Starhaus Filmproduktion, and KGP, continued its successful tour through South Tyrol with sold-out screenings. The film, which won the Award for Best Newcomer Director at the Bavarian Film Awards in Janaury, had the following screenings in February:
- 13/02: Weitental, Pfarrsaal, 19:00
- 13/02: Kaltern, Filmtreff, 17:30 (original with Italian subtitles)
- 14/02: Kaltern, Filmtreff, 17:30 (original with Italian subtitles)
- 15/02: Kaltern, Filmtreff, 20:00 (original with Italian subtitles)
- 17/02: Brunico, Cinema Odeon, 18:00 + 20:30 (original with Italian subtitles)
- 18/02: Bressanone, Cinema Stella, 18:00 + 19:30 (original with Italian subtitles)
More information on screenings is available at zweitland.it.
Cosi Com’è in Berlin
Cosi Com’è, co-produced by our members of Albolina Film and featuring cinematography by Stefania Bona, was screened in Berlin. The film previously won the Main Award in the Gabbiano Section at the Bellaria Film Festival in May 2025. The story follows a mother visiting her estranged son in Germany amidst her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Despite the Scars at Film Club Bozen
Despite the Scars, directed by Felix Rier and produced by Helios Sustainable Films, had additional screenings at Film Club Bozen on February 17 and 18. The film documents the journey of a dancer recovering from trauma through choreography and personal video diaries.
2026 has just started, yet some of our members have already achieved or celebrated important milestones with their projects.
read more ...
US Premiere and sold-out screenings in South Tyrol for ZWEITLAND
ZWEITLAND, a co-production by our member Martin Rattini with his company Helios Sustainable Films and involving many South Tyrolean film professionals, became the most-watched film at local cinemas in 2025. It continues to tour throughout South Tyrol, including screenings with Italian subtitles. Currently, the film is at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where it celebrated its North American premiere on January 6, followed by three more screenings.
ARD TV Premiere for IDM-funded documentary
DIE FOTOGRAFIN UND DER KRIEG, edited by our co-president Nela Märki, has its TV premiere on January 12 on ARD. The documentary tells the story of German war photographer Anja Niedringhaus (1965-2014), who was tragically killed on April 4, 2014, while covering Afghanistan’s presidential election.
Niedringhaus was the only woman on a team of 11 AP photographers that won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for coverage of the Iraq War, becoming the first German photojournalist to receive this honour.
Starting her career at age 16 as a freelance photographer for a local newspaper in her hometown of Höxter, Germany, Niedringhaus went on to cover some of the world’s most significant conflicts over two decades. She began documenting wars in the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, spending years based in Sarajevo during the siege of the city. Her work took her to Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza, Israel, Libya, and Pakistan, among other conflict zones. Despite her reputation as a war photographer, she often found beauty and joy on assignment, capturing glimpses of daily life, tenderness, and humour even in the most difficult places.
In addition to conflict photography, Niedringhaus covered nine Olympic Games as a passionate sports photographer. Her work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in Frankfurt.
FAS at WEMW
NEW LIFE (WT), by our member Bernadette Weber and produced by our member Debora Nischler of Albolina Film, will take part in the annual WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Industry Programme during the Trieste Film Festival. WEMW has become a very important venue for filmmakers across Europe in recent years, with partnerships including our local film fund, IDM, and the EsoDoc Programme by the ZeLIG Film School. NEW LIFE (WT) will be presented in the „Work in Progress“ section called First Cut+ to Industry Professionals and decision makers and will get hands-on feedback for promotion & audience engagement strategies.
DESPITE THE SCARS at Max Ophüls
On January 21, our member Felix Rier’s film DESPITE THE SCARS (produced by Helios Sustainable Films) will have its German premiere at the Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis, one of the most important film festivals for first, second- and third-time directors in the German-speaking world. We’re keeping our fingers crossed, since the film is competing in the documentary competition!
FAS at MOP-Meetings
Our member Martin Rattini will head to Saarbrücken as well, not only as producer of DESPITE THE SCARS, but also to attend the annual MOP Meetings with the project WHY THE F*** AM I SO SAD?, looking for possible partners. The latter documentary is produced by Helios Sustainable Films and the Swiss Production Company Dok Mobile and has been funded by the local Amt für Film und Medien, IDM Film & Music Commission, the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC) and the Swiss Ministry for Culture (BAK) so far.
Swiss Premiere for ON THE BORDER
Another premiere follows: the Swiss premiere of ON THE BORDER, edited by our co-president Nela Märki, will take place at the Solothurn Film Festival on January 24, followed by another screening on January 27.
ELON MUSK UNVEILED on tour
After its World Premiere at IDFA 2025, our member Andreas Pichler’s documentary ELON MUSK UNVEILED – THE TESLA EXPERIMENT is on tour through Europe. Current screenings are taking place at the prestigious Fipadoc (Festival International du Documentaire) in Biarritz, at the Göteborg Film Festival, and as part of a cinema tour through various German cities with the Stranger Than Fiction Dokumentarfilmfestival. If you’re in the area, check for a screening near you in more detail:
Göteborg Film Festival (Sweden)
- Sun, Jan 25 | 20:45 | Bio Roy + Q&A w/ Andreas Pichler
- Mon, Jan 26 | 17:45 | Biopalatset + Q&A w/ Andreas Pichler
- Thu, Jan 29 | 15:30 | Biograf Drake
FIPADOC (France)
- Sat, Jan 24 | 17:30 | Casino Municipal + Q&A w/ Andreas Pichler
- Thu, Jan 29 | 21:30 | Atalaya
Germany: Cinema Tour @ Stranger Than Fiction Festival
- Dortmund | Roxy Kino | Sat, Jan 24 | 19:00
- Düsseldorf | Metropol | Sun, Jan 25 | 14:00
- Duisburg | Filmforum | Tue, Jan 27 | 20:30
- Mülheim | Rio Filmtheater | Wed, Jan 28 | 19:30
- Cologne | Filmhaus | Thu, Jan 29 | 20:00
- Brühl | Zoom Kino | Sun, Feb 01 | 20:15
A Second Birthday Screening again
While we love announcing premieres, cinema tours of newly released films, or projects currently in development, it’s equally rewarding to see older films find new audiences. A SECOND BIRTHDAY, a 32-minute documentary by Georg Manuel Zeller (2016), will be screened again at Centro Trevi at the end of this month, on January 28 at 18:00.
„Misha is a nine-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, requiring a delicate liver transplantation. It is not the first time that Misha has found himself face to face with the possibility of death. His father decided to follow the process and film the months preceding the operation, giving rise to an intimate portrait of a child who faces the great questions of life.“
More exciting January news will surely follow!
This December, films by FAS members are crisscrossing Italy and beyond, screening at festivals, cinematours, and special venues from Rome to Karlsruhe. Here’s where you could catch our members‘ work this month.
read more ...
Zweitland: A Regional Journey Through Cinema
Over the past weeks, ZWEITLAND, co-produced by FAS member Martin Rattini from Helios Sustainable Films, has embarked on an extensive cinematour across South Tyrol. Since its premiere in Bolzano on November 19, the film has travelled from larger cities to intimate village film clubs, reaching several thousand viewers with more screenings still to come.
Set against the politically charged backdrop of South Tyrol in 1961 during the period of bomb attacks, Zweitland weaves a family story exploring themes of belonging, loyalty, and personal responsibility. By grounding universal questions in deeply local history, the film resonates across linguistic and generational divides—a testament to cinema’s power as a space for collective memory and dialogue.
The cinematour continues throughout the region, bringing this important story to communities across South Tyrol.
South Tyrolean Films at the Rome International Documentary Film Festival
The Rome International Documentary Film Festival (RIDF) took place December 5-9, 2024, at Nuovo Cinema Aquila in Rome. In its third edition, the festival presented 34 films from 23 countries.
PERSONALE by Carmen Trocker competed in the ITA-DOC competition. The film previously screened at the This Human World festival in Vienna on November 28, where it competed in the Austrian Competition. This Human World, Austria’s International Human Rights Film Festival, ran November 27 – December 8, 2024.
MY BOYFRIEND EL FASCISTA by Matthias Lintner also screened at RIDF on December 7, with the director and protagonist Sadiel Gonzalez present for a Q&A.
Despite the Scars Tours Italy
DESPITE THE SCARS, directed by Felix Rier, completed an extensive screening tour throughout South Tyrol and Italy.
Souvenirs of War in Germany
While some films journey south, SOUVENIRS OF WAR, directed by FAS co-president Georg Zeller screened in Germany on December 7-8 at the Kinemathek Karlsruhe and the Kommunales Kino Freiburg, including Q&A’s with the director.
ZeLIG at Sotto18 Film Festival
At Turin’s Sotto18 Film Festival (December 12-16, 2024), COSA RESTA by ZeLIG graduate Bianca Vallino, with our member Emanuele Vernillo, as executive producer, was screened in the „Antologia dei corti delle Scuole di Cinema Europee“ programme.
The breadth and diversity of these screenings reflect the vitality of South Tyrol’s film community. From historical dramas to intimate documentaries, from local cinematours to international festivals, FAS members continue to create work that travels, resonates, and sparks conversation. As December unfolds, we celebrate these filmmakers and the audiences who gather to experience their stories.
While October was already an eventful month for our members, November seems to surpass all expectations. From world premieres and South Tyrolean premieres to cinema releases and TV debuts — everything is happening, and we couldn’t be happier to share the news.
read more ...
HYDROGEN – REVOLUTION OR ILLUSION? by our member Andreas Pichler was recently nominated for the Science & Media Awards 2025 at the renowned Silbersalz Festival in Halle.
Meanwhile, MY BOYFRIEND EL FASCISTA, produced by HELIOS sustainable films, opened the Duisburger Filmwoche and is further travelling to Berne. Also screening in Duisburg is FÜR THEA by Felix Rier, edited by our co-president Nela Märki for the 3Sat format Docume, and presented at the doxs! Film Festival for children and youth.
The documentary PERSONALE by our member Carmen Trocker, which celebrated its world premiere at IDFA 2024, will also be shown at the Duisburger Filmwoche.
ZWEITLAND (D/IT/AT 2025), co-produced by our member Martin Rattini of HELIOS Sustainable Films, premiered this summer at Filmfest München in the CineCoPro Section and went on to a successful cinema tour across Austria, which began on September 4 and is still ongoing. This month, after screenings at the Dutch Mountain Film Festival (DMFF), the Arras Film Festival in France, the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), as well as in Radstadt and Ahrenshoop, the film is finally coming back home — to the region where it was shot — celebrating its South Tyrol premiere at the @Filmclub Capitol in Bolzano on November 19!
From November 20 onwards, ZWEITLAND will travel across South Tyrol — don’t miss it on the big screen!
SOUVENIRS OF WAR, by our co-president Georg Zeller, proves that even long after their initial release, films can continue to resonate and inspire meaningful discussions.
ON THE BORDER, edited by our co-president Nela Märki, continues its festival journey through Germany.
TONI, MIO PADRE, co-produced by our member Traudi Messini and premiered in Venice this September, will be released in cinemas across Italy from November 10.
TORINO TORINO, directed by our member Bernadette Weber, continues its journey after premiering at the Internationale Hofer Filmtage, with new screenings scheduled for Austria and Greece.
DESPITE THE SCARS, directed by Felix Rier, which premiered at the Biografilm Festival in Bologna, is now coming to screens in South Tyrol — telling the story of an extraordinarily strong young woman surviving the unimaginable.
Two productions featuring Katharina Forcher as costume designer are also out this month:
-
STABIL, a TV series by Teresa Fritzi Hoerl & Sinje Köhler, first shown at Filmfest München, is coming mid-month to ARD Mediathek and linear TV.
-
SCHATTENSPIELE, a short film, will be screened at the Filmakademie Wien.
VALENTINA E I MOSTRI, shot by our member Stefania Bona, comes to Bolzano as part of our DOC DAY screenings on November 20.
And last but definitely not least — Andreas Pichler celebrates his highly anticipated world premiere at IDFA 2025 with ELON MUSK UNVEILED – THE TESLA EXPERIMENT, with no fewer than seven screenings in Amsterdam!
After an eventful September, many films featuring key contributions from our members continue their journeys this October – as this month’s Showcase clearly shows.
read more ...
September was a vibrant month for FAS members, with numerous productions premiering at international festivals, reaching cinemas, and airing on television.
read more ...
ZWEITLAND, directed by Michael Kofler and co-produced by Martin Rattini (HELIOS Sustainable Films), celebrated its theatrical release in Austria and was featured at the Fünf Seen Film Festival (FSFF).
This German–Italian–Austrian co-production brought together many FAS members, including Eva Kuen (Acting), Caterina Ferrari (3rd AD), Stefano Bernardi (Sound), Daniel Mahlknecht and Beniamino Casagrande (Grip), Caterina Albarella and Marco Di Liello (Camera Department), Jonathan Rinn (Lighting Technician), Hannes Hofer / Maier Bros. (Lighting Equipment), and Daria Akimenko and Gabriella Cosmo (Production Assistance).
Also at the FSFF, ON THE BORDER by Gerald Igor Hauzenberger and Gabriela Schild was edited by FAS Co-President Nela Märki.
Meanwhile, HELIOS Sustainable Films continues its strong festival presence with SOUVENIRS OF WAR, directed by FAS Co-President Georg Zeller and featuring contributions from Stefania Bona (Camera), Beatrice Segolini (Editing), and Stefano Bernardi (Sound Design).
Another HELIOS Sustainable Films production, MY BOYFRIEND EL FASCISTA, directed by Matthias Lintner, is currently on its international festival tour with screenings this month in Oslo and Lisbon.
FAS members contributed across departments, including Daria Akimenko (Junior Producer), Silvia Pozzi (Colorist), and Stefano Bernardi and Matilde Ramini (Sound Design).
From the ZeLIG Filmschool, COSA RESTA was selected for Visioni dal Mondo in Milan, while MEDIAART’s long-running format dF – Das Frauenmagazin for RAI Südtirol is currently being edited by FAS member Martina Gruber.
September also brought international attention to TONI, MIO PADRE, directed by Anna Negri and co-produced by Traudi Messini (MEDIAART), which celebrated its world premiere at Giornate degli Autori in Venice.
Another Venice premiere, ELISA by Leonardo di Costanzo, is now in cinemas across Italy with Caterina Ferrari as 3rd AD, and currently screening at Filmclub Bolzano.
The festival favourite VALENTINA E I MOSTRI, directed by Francesca Scalisi and shot by FAS member Stefania Bona, continues its international journey after premiering in Nyon earlier this year. The film will also be shown in Bolzano on November 20 as part of the DOC DAY programme.
Bona’s cinematography can also be seen in IL CODICE DEL BOSCO, directed by Alessandro Bernard and Paolo Ceretto.
DREAMS, directed by FAS member Karin Duregger with Matilde Ramini (Sound Recordist), is currently touring cinemas across South Tyrol.
And rounding off the month, ALBANIEN IN SÜDTIROL, produced by FAS members from KORABI — Erald Dika (Director), Annachiara Gislimberti (Camera), and Gabriele Borghi (Editing) — aired on RAI Südtirol, followed by a discussion on migration and belonging in the region.
From Venice to Bolzano, from Milan to Oslo — September once again showcased the breadth, quality, and international reach of South Tyrol’s film professionals.