At the weekend, the graduation film of the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln, »Allen Zweifeln zum Trotz«, by Laurenz Otto (screenplay, directing, production), Alexander Conrads (production), Mathis Hanspach (director of photography), Antonia-Marleen Klein (editing) and Maximilian Rodegra (sound design) won the audience award in the Cologne Window section at the 16th KFFK/Short Film Festival Cologne.

The prize is endowed with a technical contribution worth 1,500 euros, donated by Finder TV.

The coming-of-age drama »Allen Zweifeln zum Trotz« tells the story of Younus, who only sees his father in exceptional cases. Nevertheless, the boy never misses an opportunity to seek his closeness... despite all doubts. Fascination clings to the alien-familiar figure of the father and mixes with the burgeoning longing for closeness. Blindly groping, exploring and observing. A risky game of rejection and affection, whose tension finally explodes and calls the fragile relationship into question.

»Allen Zweifeln zum Trotz« has already been awarded the WDR Westart audience jury prize at the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, was a guest at the San Sebastián Film Festival and screened as part of the "Next Generation Short Tiger" short film programme at the Marché du Film at the Festival de Cannes.

Director Laurenz Otto is currently working on his debut film »Tote Körper rennen nicht« (AT), for which he has already received script funding from the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.