CANIFFF 26’
Official Winners
“Salt”
directed by: Will Venter
Salt explores the paradox of balance—essential in moderation, yet destructive in excess.
“Made in X”
directed by: Sofia Ivanova-Kozhevnikova
Blending raw documentary realism with surreal, stylised dreamscapes, visual activist film MADE IN X follows a young immigrant navigating life on the margins of a society that sees her as a label before a person. From workplace micro-aggressions to housing discrimination, her daily struggles are interwoven with poetic sequences where traditional garments, textures, and memories become tools of resistance and an escape.
As fashion transforms into a language of identity and protest, the film explores how origin defines worth - not only for fashion items, but for people as well.
“Beauty Sleep”
directed by: Jasmine De Silva
Beauty Sleep is a retro futuristic short film about beauty, identity, and the dangerous pursuit of perfection. In the Beauty Sleep world, cosmetic enhancement is more extreme than our own. New boobs, butts and faces can be purchased, sewn on and bedazzled to your choosing.
And the latest trend? A living embalment, where teenage girls, for their Sweet 16, emerge from a sparkling coffin instead of a giant cake.
But when an eccentric mortician, trapped under the patriarchal thumb of her controlling boss, accidentally kills a client, she sees a twisted chance to escape.
As the clock ticks, she plots her way out by stealing “the face” from the client, but not before giving the dead girl the most bizarrely beautiful makeover of her afterlife. Beauty Sleep is a dark, satirical dive into perfection, creativity, and control.
“Beautiful Birds”
directed by: Dale Kurtis Sood & Ara Coutts
In the confines of privilege, a restless young woman unravels the illusions of her opulent world, risking everything as she confronts the haunting cost of desire and the peril that lurks beneath luxury’s flawless surface.
“WHISPER VOID! | SALOMON”
directed by: Alice Fassi
“The Testimonial | Audemars-Piguet”
directed by: Alice Fassi
Pierfrancesco Favino plays the role of an unconventional testimonial, guiding the audience on an immersive journey through the symbolic locations of the historic Manufacture in Le Brassus, in the Vallée de Joux: from the original restoration atelier, to the more contemporary Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, and finally to the modern headquarters spaces.
Through anecdotes, curiosities and iconic creations, the film celebrates Audemars Piguet’s pioneering vision, from its early timepieces, to the debut of the first Royal Oak in 1972, to the ongoing fascination with astronomy and the cosmos, a continuous source of inspiration for the Manufacture.
“One”
directed by: Brock Newman
“Threshold of Bloom”
directed by: Siti Lyu
Amid the nostalgic shadows of their childhood home, two estranged sisters reunite to confront their unspoken past, navigating the delicate threads of memory, dreams, and the fragile bonds that tether them to their roots.
“Florescence | SCHÖN!”
directed by: Alice Gatti, Diego Indraccolo
Florescence is a visually stunning and thought-provoking exploration of the cultural, biological, and symbolic roles that flowers play in our understanding of gender and sexuality. Blending elements of a fashion film, short documentary, and experimental visual essay, Florescence dismantles the simplistic, often gendered associations that flowers have been assigned throughout history. The eclectic cast adds a rich layer of contemporary perspectives on gender discourse, anchoring the film’s narrative with authenticity and personal insight.
crafted with a great amount of practical effects and a bit of old school CGI, Florescence juxtaposes serene beauty with violent transformations—drowning, burning, and battering the flowers—as a metaphor for the constraints imposed by societal norms. This relentless and symbolic treatment of flowers serves as a compelling vehicle to question cultural ideals surrounding gender and identity.
“Falling”
directed by: Vic Guan
“The Sun”
directed by: Angie Su
Captivated by the traditional Japanese art of floral arrangement called "Ikebana," a woman embarks on a poignant exploration of memory and sensory experience, guiding her toward a path of healing and self-acceptance.
“En Garde | DeChamps”
directed by: Siti Lyu
“Shiringa - Fashion Regenerating Amazonia”
directed by: Emma Hakansson
Captivated by the traditional Japanese art of floral arrangement called "Ikebana," a woman embarks on a poignant exploration of memory and sensory experience, guiding her toward a path of healing and self-acceptance.
“Domani Amami Ancora | Bianca”
directed by: Jan Devetak
“Lawrencepur”
directed by: Usman Mehar
This is a story-driven fashion film that spans two eras, seamlessly transitioning from 1954, when the brand was founded, to the present day. The film follows a tailor who envisions the outfit before creating it. The client wanted to convey that the brand is not just for an older demographic, but also appeals to Gen Z. To achieve this, we created a film that directly speaks to Gen Z, using modern techniques like 3D animation to bring the tailor’s vision to life for the audience.
