Arefi, das Hirte / Arefi, the Sheperd
Production: Iran / Germany 2013

Dasht-e Kavir – the Great Salt desert in Iran. There probably are not many places on Earth where survival is as difficult. There is a man living in Dasht-e-Kavir, struggling with its nature and, simultaneously fascinated by its beauty. Mohammad Arefi, a humble shepherd, has had a bond with the desert since his childhood, and through his family's history – for generations. The film's director came across his protagonist while travelling through Iran. This meeting bore fruit to a film portrayal of a man who takes care of his herd of sheep and goats every day, far away from his family – as have the inhabitants of these lands for centuries.

Koora
Production: GER 2012

A documentary showing one day in the life of the people working at the landfill in Howrah (India). That is where garbage from 16 mln people can be found. Thanks to this more than 200 people have a job, picking garbage. However, the poverty all around is unimaginable – mothers who busily look for food waste to be able to feed their families. Children who play joyfully, regardless of everything around them, and herds of wild pigs fitting into the landscape. A film about the everyday struggle to survive, about dreams and visions.

FiSH: Film of the year 2014, BDFA Gold Medal 2013