“Home in Between” and “Headbutt” at NYCIFF

May 7 to 13, the New York Independent Film Festival features two Dutch short movies: Headbutt and Home in Between. For tickets and more info, click here.

The venue for the Festival is The Producers’ Club, which is in the heart of Manhattan’s theater district, and has been hosting great shows and world-renowned artists and celebrities since 1993.

Home in Between

Directed by: Maren Gedenk

A kid’s true story of his life in the unusual world of his heroin addict mother and their love of each other.

‘Home in Between’ is a 360-degree documentary about the people of Kara Tepe, a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesvos. Since the beginning of the 2015 refugee crisis, hundreds of thousands of people fled across the Mediterranean Sea to escape war and persecution. Some of them would choose to make the crossing from Turkey to one of the Greek islands like Lesvos, a crossing that would prove to be an even deadlier one than many other routes. Thousands of lives were lost. After arriving on the European shores life would turn for the better, or would it?

In March 2016 Europe made a deal with Turkey and borders were closed. The result was that thousands of people got stuck in Greece. With nowhere to go, they would have to wait for over a year before European authorities would decide their future. Will they eventually be allowed to travel further into Europe and get asylum, or will they be sent back?

‘Home in Between’ provides an insight into the daily life in Kara Tepe, a camp that was set up by the municipality of Lesvos. Organizations like Movement On the Ground do their best to make the camp an inspiring, sustainable and worthy place to live in. They realize this in many ways, for example by bringing light into the camp by installing solar stations and setting up a football program for the children. They believe in the knowledge and power of the residents and involve them in everything they do.

Refugees and volunteers working side-by-side, and thereby creating a close community. But how do people really feel when their lives are turned upside down and put on hold? And how long can they keep hope alive?

Screening: Saturday, May 12 at 1:00pm
*As a VR piece, Home in Between will be screened in Clinton Cameo Studio (307 W 43rd St, New York, NY)

Headbutt

Directed by: Daan Bunnik
Cast: Nils Verkooijen, Felix Osinga

Headbutt (NL: Kopstoot) is situated in the shared bedroom of Tobias (15) and Lucas (18) and portrays the desire of Tobias to restore the old relationship he had with his brother. While they used to do everything together, Lucas has no interest in his younger brother anymore.He becomes angry for no reason and because of his unpredictable character Tobias becomes frightened of him. He hardly dares to approach him, doesn’t dare to look him in the eyes, and definitely doesn’t dare to touch him. But when Tobias fantasizes that Lucas will commit suicide, Tobias has no other option than to reconnect with his isolated brother.

Screening: Sunday, May 13 at 12:00pm

New York Independent Film Festival

Mission Statement

The NYC Independent Film Festival is a non-profit providing a showcase for the best independent cinema from NYC and around the world, to the public and entertainment industry. The weeklong celebration screens the best indie films, offers educational panels and presentations helmed by industry professionals, and holds live performances.

The Festival gives filmmakers the opportunity for potential distribution and funding, as well as awarding the top films across numerous categories, all while giving them the opportunity to mingle and network with press, supporters, and fans.

Vision

The Festival is focused on low budget and emerging, yet overlooked filmmakers, bringing their talent to culturally enrich the NYC community. The Festival aims to create the largest gathering of true indie filmmakers.

History

Since 2010, the NYC Independent Film Festival has aimed to discover talented domestic and international indie filmmakers and embraces fresh ideas by screening 1,280 movies from 61 countries in the past 8 years.