Best Student Film 2024 Winner

In Between

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing for over a year. The 21-year-old Ira, along with her mother, finds herself in a foreign Germany, cut off from her home, family, and friends, seeking solace. After many doubts, she resolves to breathe new life into her neglected passion for swimming. That leads to an encounter with an old friend with whom she openly discusses her struggles and thoughts for the first time. In Between explores the sentiments and the emotional state of refugees, providing an intimate glimpse into their lives. JURY STATEMENT: Beautiful, poetic images, in interaction with a constantly trembling sound design and score, tells the touching story of the young woman, Ira, who seeks solace in her new daily life. Moving relationships are portrayed through natural and well-acted performances, showing Ira's life as she resumes her old passion, swimming. Water plays a role in a sensory layer, poetically enveloping the narrative. You are left with an insight into a young life facing a difficult and incomprehensible situation, where finding recognition and cohesion brings hope.