The Carnaval Sztukmistrz\u00f3w (July 23-26, 2026, Lublin) is not only about performances and street shows, but also about encounters with circus art on screen. As part of the Circus & Film project, we invite you to a unique selection of films that present contemporary circus from a completely new perspective.<\/strong><\/p>\n What does Circus look like on the big screen?<\/strong> The Circus & Film<\/strong> network, initiated by the CircusDanceFestival<\/strong>, explores circus through the camera lens and creates visibility for international circus filmmakers.<\/p>\n Since its foundation, in collaboration with numerous international festivals, a jury has been reviewing submissions to an open call every year and looking for circus forms on screen with distinctive cinematic approaches. The selected films premiere at the CircusDanceFestival in Cologne and then tour international partner festivals: Short Waves Festival (PL), Circus City Bristol (UK), Moovy Tanzfilm Festival K\u00f6ln (DE), Dynamo Workspace and OFF -Odense International Film Festival (DK),Dinamico Festival (IT), Flic Circus School(IT), Cirkus Kolektiv (HR). This year, they will also be available to watch during the Carnaval Sztukmistrz\u00f3w<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The programme will include stories about the passage of time, memory and the transformation of the body, the relationship between humans and nature, as well as the boundaries between risk, movement and emotion. The protagonists of these films juggle, balance, climb and travel through spaces \u2013 both real and imagined.<\/p>\n It will be a symbolic journey through the various faces of contemporary circus: from documentary observations of life and growing up, through dreamlike and poetic depictions of the body, to humour, absurdity and experimentation inspired by performance art.<\/p>\n Every day, all short films will be available to watch in a one-hour screening block.<\/p>\n Details<\/strong><\/p>\n July 24, 2026<\/strong> (Friday), 12:00-13:00 | Workshops of Culture, Grodzka 5a \u2013 auditorium<\/p>\n July 25, 2026<\/strong> (Saturday), 12:00-13:00 | Workshops of Culture, Grodzka 5a \u2013 auditorium<\/p>\n July 26, 2026<\/strong> (Sunday), 12:00-13:00 | Workshops of Culture, Grodzka 5a \u2013 auditorium<\/p>\n Lehmann\/Pels | \u201cUrban Club Art\u201d <\/b>(Germany, 2 min)<\/b><\/p>\n The film \u201cUrban Club Art\u201d is an experimental image\/sound montage that works with objects and places, reassembling them into new visual constellations. Inspired by Fluxus ideas, a series of subtle image compositions, absurd installations and witty montages unfold. A juggling club moves through public space, always on the jump from one GPS coordinate to the next. It\u2019s a special kind of sightseeing tour of Cologne. The finale presents a visionary reimagining of the Cologne skyline \u2013 from a circus perspective.<\/p>\n Circo Aereo | \u201cL\u00e4hde\u201d (\u201cFountain\u201d) <\/b>(Finland, 17 min)<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cL\u00e4hde\u201d is a coming-of-age documentary filmed over twelve years on a bridge in Helsinki. When the story begins, Hugo is still a baby and Arsi is eleven years old. By the end, one has become a teenager and the other a young adult. Over the years, the boys share their thoughts and hopes for the future, while juggling balls mark the steady flow of time and the new cityscape of Helsinki develops in the background.<\/p>\n Concept, Execution: Sanna Silvennoinen, Jukka Mantere<\/p>\n Music: Atte Kantonen<\/p>\n Production: Circo Aereo<\/p>\n Nuua Company | \u201cAffairs of the Cities\u201d <\/b>(Finland, 8 min 26 s)<\/b><\/p>\n This short film is based on a scene from the performance \u201cKulovalkea\u201d. The durational, repetitive juggling choreography with coffee cups was created to depict authoritative figures occupying themselves in apparent activity \u2013 yet accomplishing very little. The title draws on the old saying \u201caffairs of the cities\u201d, historically used to refer to politics. Nuua Company is a Finnish contemporary circus and visual theatre group founded in 2013. With its experimental works, Nuua has carved out its position in the international performing arts scene.<\/p>\n Direction: Olli Vuorinen<\/p>\n Featuring: Valpuri Kaarninen, Rosa-Maria Autio, Juho Yrj\u00f6l\u00e4, Merri Heikkil\u00e4, Maria Peltola, Jaime Allen, Nelli Kujansivu, Petteri Savikorpi<\/p>\n Cinematography, Editing: Christoffer Collina<\/p>\n Music: Katri Salmenoja<\/p>\n Production: Nuua Company, Sirkum Polaris<\/p>\n Kallo Collective | \u201cNITRO\u201d <\/b>(Finland, 13 min 58 s)<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cNITRO\u201d is a road movie far away from highways and roads. It\u2019s the story of three batshit bonkers friends and their pink convertible half-built house. \u201cNITRO\u201d is a caffeine-packed frenzy of non-verbal performance, reimagining the role of a classic form of storytelling. This joyful, chaotic clownkenstein of a film celebrates the utter splendour of throwing yourself into a task with so much commitment that it destroys any hope of completing it.<\/p>\n Direction: Christoffer Collina, Sampo Kurppa<\/p>\n Screenplay: Sampo Kurppa<\/p>\n Cinematography, Editing: Christoffer Collina<\/p>\n Music: Sami Tammela<\/p>\n Production: Sari Lakso<\/p>\n Jenny Mansikkasalo | \u201cVertical Feeling\u201d <\/b>(Finland, 8 min 28 s)<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cVertical Feeling\u201d is a dream-like short film about what it\u2019s like to grow up climbing the aerial silk. How does vertical suspension feel in the body? How does it affect one\u2019s body image and perhaps even an identity that is still developing? In the film, memories, experiences and imagination blend together. The outlines of the body blur, the silks flow, and the inner child has something to say.<\/p>\n A short film by: Jenny Mansikkasalo<\/p>\n Performing: Jenny Mansikkasalo, Aino Hermansson<\/p>\n Cinematography: Miikkael Christoffer Kukkula<\/p>\n Editing: Miikkael Christoffer Kukkula, Jenny Mansikkasalo<\/p>\n Sound Design: Ville-Matti Koskiniemi<\/p>\n Mat Santa Cruz | \u201cLes fleurs \u00e9closent \u00e0 l’ombre\u201d <\/b>(France, 10 min 51 s)<\/b><\/p>\n A man who feels lonely tries to rediscover sensations and emotions by putting himself in danger. Between rural romance and cowboy melancholy, dark danger lurks around every corner. Our protagonist seeks out the thrill of danger with almost calculated precision and care. Time passes, and one poetically staged knife throw and balancing act follows another. The game with his own vulnerability takes its course, and danger becomes our lonely hero\u2019s companion.<\/p>\n Direction: Mat Santa Cruz<\/p>\n 1st Assistance: Maud Peyrache<\/p>\n Starring: Marc Oosterhoff<\/p>\n Acting for Climate Montr\u00e9al | \u201cBranch\u00e9\u201d (Canada, 15 min 55 s)<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cBranch\u00e9\u201d is a unique exploration of circus and movement arts withafemale drive. The short film traverses time and natural landscapes in Quebec. It is a poetic exploration of the beauty and potential of people working in harmony with nature, as well as the more threatening and chaotic conflicts of the climate crisis. As dwindling resources and habitable land bring about an existential collapse, the daring acrobatic formations and breathtaking falls remind us that the unity of nature and humanity is truly worth preserving.<\/p>\n Direction: Janique L Robillard, Eric Bates<\/p>\n Acrobatic Director, Editing: Nathan Biggs-Penton<\/p>\n Co-Creation: Acting for Climate Montr\u00e9al, Cirque Barcode<\/p>\n Director of Photography: Kes Tagney<\/p>\n Musical Composition and Recording: Olivier Landry-Gagnon<\/p>\n Co-Creation: Acting for Climate Montr\u00e9al, Cirque Barcode<\/p>\n During the Carnaval Sztukmistrz\u00f3w, there will also be a screening of films selected for the UHF Official Film Selection competition. The programme will feature productions showcasing both athletic achievements and personal stories of people involved in highlining. The screening is organised in cooperation with Firmament Foundation<\/strong><\/a>. More information coming soon.<\/p>\n Details<\/strong><\/p>\n 24 lipca 2026<\/strong> (pi\u0105tek), godz. 13:30 | Warsztaty Kultury, Grodzka 5a \u2013 sala widowiskowa<\/p>\n 25 lipca 2026<\/strong> (sobota), godz. 13:30 | Warsztaty Kultury, Grodzka 5a \u2013 sala widowiskowa<\/p>\nAbout films<\/h2>\n
Highline on screen<\/h2>\n
About the Carnaval Sztukmistrz\u00f3w<\/h2>\n