This year’s London-based watchAUT Austrian Film Festival, celebrates its third year, championing the best new films to emerge from Austria.
Running 13 – 16 March at Ciné Lumière and the ICA Cinemas, the festival provides a glimpse of the world as perceived by the current generation of Austrian filmmakers.
VENI VIDI VICI
London Premiere + Q&A with Daniel Hoesl & Julia Niemann
In Veni Vidi Vici, the ultra-wealthy have reached the ultimate privilege: getting away with murder. Directed by Daniel Hoesl and Julia Niemann, this pitch-black satire follows the grotesque Maynard family, who turn hunting into a chilling blood sport. Produced by Ulrich Seidl, the film drips with poisonous energy, blending biting social commentary with stunning, painterly visuals. Opening with Ayn Rand’s chilling quote, “Who will stop me?” the film delivers a savage critique of unchecked power with a wink, a smirk.
K Premiere + Q&A with Kurdwin Ayub
What seems like a dream job for Sarah—a retired Austrian martial artist hired to train three teenage sisters in Jordan—quickly turns eerie. The sisters aren’t interested in training, their lavish home feels like a prison, and bodyguards guard hidden secrets.
In Moon, Kurdwin Ayub flips the “white saviour” trope, crafting a tense mystery of wealth and control. Anchored by Florentina Holzinger’s fierce performance, the film blends thriller and horror elements to explore power dynamics, unraveling a chilling, sunlit story of isolation
ANGST
This infamous Austrian cult movie from 1983 will be screened for the first time in London as part of watchAUT! Angst dives into the life and mind of a serial killer recently released from prison who quickly feels the compulsion to kill again. He starts taking out his sadistic fantasies on an unsuspecting family living in a secluded house. Intimately confined to the perspective of the killer, Angst is a risky yet altogether complex vision of the human mind gone astray
PIGGY BANK
When you hear “Piggy Bank,” you might picture a cute porcelain pig—until it’s time to smash it. Christoph Schwarz takes this metaphor to absurd heights, transforming himself into a literal moral piggy bank. After misappropriating €90,000 from Austrian broadcaster ORF to buy his dream house, he faces a dilemma: he still owes them a film. His solution? A no-budget documentary about going on a year-long money strike. Playful and self-aware, Piggy Bank evolves from a cheeky stunt into a witty satire on capitalism, art, and climate activism
watchAUT is an opportunity to preview anticipated new films and shorts by Austrian directors, including opening gala PEACOCK. Bollywood critique MEHRUNISA complete the feature programme.
The festival is also a celebration of Austria’s rich cinematic heritage. This year’s archive screening is a rare chance to see on a cinema screen the infamous 1980s psycho-thriller ANGST, which was banned in many European countries for its depiction of violence.
watchAUT! | 13-16 MARCH 2025 | LONDON UK