Greylands

a film by

Switzerland | 12' | 05/2023 | animation

An autumn day and the first winter night in the high mountains: it is hunting season. The paths of animals and humans cross and fade away. Swathes of mist blur the boundaries between dream, imagination and reality.

“A poetic and subtle film that feels like watching a painting unfold.”
Square Eyes - Animafest Zagreb 2023_laurels_black_official selection
“A poetic and subtle film that feels like watching a painting unfold.”
Square Eyes - Animafest Zagreb 2023_laurels_black_official selection

Charlotte Waltert & Alvaro Schoeck

Combined biography

Charlotte Waltert has a Bachelor in Animation from the Lucerne School of Art and Design. Her graduation film Little Brother Winter (2011) screened at numerous international festivals.
Alvaro Schoeck has a degree in Music Theatre Directing from the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin. Since 2010 he is a freelance director at various theatres, currently at the Dortmund Opera.

Combined filmography

  • Die graue March (Greylands) – 2023
Square Eyes - Copyright Ayse Yavas
Copyright Ayse Yavas

Crew

Director: Alvaro Schoeck, Charlotte Waltert
Screenplay: Alvaro Schoeck
Producer: Virage Film: Saskia von Virág
Co-producers: Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen SRF / SRG SSR
Animation: Charlotte Waltert
Sound Design: Johanna Wienert
Editor: Marina Rosset
Composer: Bo Wiget

Festivals

45+ selections, 2 awards

Select highlights:

  • World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb, Croatie (5 – 10 June, 2023)
    Grand Competition – Short Film
  • Concorto Film Festival, Italy (19 – 26 August, 2023)
    Competition
  • Imaginaria – International Animated Film Festival, Italy (21 – 26 August, 2023)
    Main Competition
  • Drama International Short Film Festival, Greece (4 – 10 September, 2023)
    International Animation Competition
  • FANTOCHE International Animation Film Festival, Switzerland (5 – 10 September, 2023)
    National and International Competition Won: Best Swiss
  • Animatou International Animation Film Festival, Switzerland (5 – 14 October, 2023)
    Swiss Competition Special Mention
  • El Gouna Film Festival, Egypt (13 – 20 October, 2023) 
    Short Film Competition
  • Macao International Shorts Film Festival, Macao (23 – 30 March, 2024)
    Competition Won: Best Technical Contribution Award
  • Tabor Film Festival, Croatia (6-7 July, 2024)
    International Competition
  • La Guarimba International Film Festival, Italy (7-12 August, 2024)
    La Grotta Dei Piccoli Category

Password




Press materials

EPK: Click here

Stills & directors’ photos: Click here

English, French and German dialogue list: Click here

Downloadable trailer: Click here

Jury Statement

“Feeling fundamentally local yet also universal, this film encapsulates so much of what is invigorating about short-form animation. The world felt both expansive and intimate, exploring two narratives with an elegance that gives the viewer space to experience their own grief alongside that of the characters. The atmosphere created through the sound design, sparseness of the linework and multiplane technique left us feeling assuredly held by the filmmakers.”
Fantoche International Animation Festival – Best Swiss Award 2023

“The winner of the Royal Best Newcomer Award sketches a windy last autumn day. The boundaries between dream and reality slowly blur. The twilight world between green alpine meadows and grey mountain walls is the inspiration for the filmmakers. From the very first minute, the jury was amazed and fascinated by the masterful way in which the makers carry their audience along. A poetic and subtle film that feels like watching a painting unfold. This work of art transports us to the mountains through simple splashes of colour and strokes of line. The makers show that they have a promising, boundary-pushing script. Following two different stories across two seasons, we explore a rich tapestry of emotions, leaving much open to interpretation.”
Dutch Mountain Film Festival – De Spiegel Best Newcomer Award 2024