The first, still quite small festival editions of our now ten-year-old project were completely without guests. We were once harshly ridiculed for not being a festival. Yes, we simply celebrated films. A legitimate approach that we would take up again at any time. Over the years we grew and with us the budget, the reach and also the possibilities. As a result, we can and want to actively bring guests to Regensburg and have been doing so regularly for years. We are not more or less festivals than 10 years ago. But we already have fun doing what we do there. And because it is just the way it is, we introduce you to who you will meet at the festival.
THE GUESTS OF THE 10TH HARD:LINE FILM FESTIVAL FROM A-Z
Achmed Abdel-Salam
From the Danube to the Danube, Achmed Abdel-Salam travels from Vienna to our cathedral city. His debut shows that people in Austria are a bit more courageous than in this country. Abdel-Salam does not hide the root of his story in the arthouse, but boldly follows the genre path to its end. In doing so, he does not forget to ask important questions. Which questions exactly are struggling for answers here, we explore together with him!
8.4.2023 | 5:30 pm
SMOTHER
Alexander Dirninger
Also from Vienna comes cinematographer Alexander Dirninger for the international premiere of SMOTHER aka HEIMSUCHUNG. Alexander has been working as a cinematographer since 2007 and has mainly filmed productions of the Vienna Film Academy. After the VR film FLUCHTPUNKT, SMOTHER is the second production he realizes together with the production company Glitter & Doom... and his first feature film.
8.4.2023 | 5:30 pm
SMOTHER
Kevin Gullberg
Southeastern Sweden has quiet little towns and Norrköping, a provincial city with a population of just under 100,000. Similar to the tranquil Regensburg, one would not expect much from such villages in the shadow of the capital cities. But this is exactly where Kevin Gullberg and his friends set out to realize high-quality film projects. Kojan Film is the name of the production company, and Kevin Gullberg is its producer.
8.4.2023 | 10:15 pm
LOST IN THE SKY
Chiara Kamnik
There are not only castles on Lake Wörthersee, but people are also born there. Like Chiara, for example, who likes to gamble in her free time and earns her bread and butter with music as a cultural manager. The only thing missing is film to complete the triad of nerddom. Chiara crowned her love of genre films in 2020 by taking over the festival management of the FRIGHT NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL, where they've been building castles for genre fans ever since.
Jury for the Méliès D'Argent
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Manuel Magno
As a journalist Manuel has made a name for himself in the genre. You out there know him as a scribbler for DEADLINE and NEON-ZOMBIE, for example, or you've read his texts in booklets. In recent years, however, he has particularly distinguished himself as one half of FILMFRESSEN. Together he and his best buddy Peter run a YouTube channel and publish the very entertaining podcast CINE:VIEL.
Jury for the Méliès D'Argent
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Alejandro Mathé
Born on Ibiza, it was not the sun and the sea that shaped Alejandro Mathé's mind. Rather, it was the dark fairy tales of the Black Forest that he heard from his grandparents. As a self-taught filmmaker, Alejandro has acquired many skills that have served him well in filmmaking. From 2019 to 2023, he studied directing at the International Film School in Cologne and won numerous awards.
4/7/2023 | 10:15 PM
PHANTASMAGORIA
Dain Iskandar Said
From Kuala Lumpur tears Dain Said, the guest of honor at this year's festival. Dain is certainly one of the most exciting names in genre cinema today. His works range from documentaries to arthouse mystery to demon excess with splatter interludes. It is his visions and his creative approach that not only convince at A-festivals, but also bring tears of joy to the eyes of genre fans worldwide.
Directors Spotlight 2023
ALL INFO, ALL FILMS
Nandita Solomon
As co-founder of the Malaysian production company APPARAT, Nandita Solomon has been making a name for herself in the industry for over ten years. Her work as a producer has been screened at major film festivals and sold worldwide. Her expertise is as much in demand at universities as it is on panels. With her and her companion Dain Said, one connects Malaysian genre art on an international level.
Jury for the Méliès D'Argent + Producer
JURY | INTERCHANGE | BLOOD FLOWER
Paolo Strippoli
Paolo Strippoli was born in Italy in 1993 and works as a director and screenwriter. He became known through A CLASSIC HORROR STORY. In the viewing phase, his latest prank was THE surprise. Genre cinema from Italy is dead? No way! Paolo Strippoli is the living proof to the contrary and he certainly knows something to tell about what it means to step out of the shadows of Italy's big names to become one himself.
7.4.2023 | 8:00 pm
FLOWING
Lena white
After her studies at the Film Academy in Vienna and several stops at different film companies, as well as countless short films, it was time for Lena to fully exploit the potential that was available to her. Together with former fellow students and friends, she has been working since 2017 through her own production company "Glitter and Doom" on film material that inspires her. Her mission: to develop and live visions!
8.4.2023 | 5:30 pm
SMOTHER
Simon Öster
The dream come true of starting a production company with his buddies that focuses on "Practical Effects" threatens to become a nightmare... Six years of work (!) went into this twelve minute film. Everything here (!!) is real. And when you're done marveling, you can ask Simon Öster black holes in the belly at the world premiere of his directorial debut (!!!). Because Simon also comes from Norrköping to the Danube.
8.4.2023 | 10:15 pm
LOST IN THE SKY
Cancelled: Eric Pennycoff
Unfortunately, the already announced director of THE LEECH had to withdraw from his trip. Private reasons and responsible actions force him to stay in the USA with his family. We wish him all the best and look forward to another time! Nevertheless, we are sure that Eric's film will find its audience with us. Because THE LEECH is nothing less than a bomb of a film. Come around!
6.4.2023 | 7:00 pm
THE LEECH
