Inncontro 2024
Movement and Sport through the lens of Migration
21th – 23th of November 2024 | Leokino Innsbruck
Inncontro – International Film Festival of Diveresity invites audiences to engage in dialogue about (post-)migration, displacement, and exile — through international feature and documentary films as well as discussions that center the perspectives and agency of those who have migrated, live between multiple homes, have been forced to flee, experience racism, or are affected by current inhumane migration policies.
At the seventh edition of the Inncontro Film Festival, we present feature films and documentaries in which sport and movement take on various roles: as forms of physical and subcultural expression, as practices of empowerment and resistance, as strategies in the struggle for recognition, or as ways to overcome barriers and foster belonging.
The historical opening film “Trener” (1978) by Mladomir (Puriša) Đorđević follows the inner conflict of a coach from a Yugoslav top-tier football club, who grapples with questions of loyalty and belonging after transferring to a German team. In this context, we are especially pleased to welcome a contribution from the Documentation Archive Migration Tirol in the foyer of the Leokino, presenting archival materials from the Yugoslav “Arbeiterverein Bratstvo” (Workers’ Association) and the “Workers’ Sports Games” of the 1980s.
Football also takes center stage in the award-winning feature film “Sieger sein” (2024) by Soleen Yusef, in which eleven-year-old Mona must fight for her place in a new environment after fleeing from Syria.
In “Motståndaren” (2023) by Milad Alami, wrestling becomes a source of hope for Iman and his family as they seek a special residency permit in Sweden — while also forcing Iman to confront the deeper reasons for his flight from Iran.
“Tatami” (2023), a gripping film by Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir Ebrahimi, tells the story of Iranian judoka Leila Hosseini, who must choose between her career and her safety in the face of political repression.
For an energetic festival finale, we present the documentary “2UNBREAKABLE” (2023) by Maike Conway — and take the opportunity to invite dancers from the local breakdance scene, centered around Street Motion Studio Innsbruck, to the stage and into conversation.
Mladomir (Puriša) Đorđević | YU, RS 1978 | 90 min | Omeu
Thursday 21st of November 2024 | 8 pm
In sports-enthusiastic 1970s Yugoslavia, Petar, the newly appointed coach of the country’s leading football club, recruits a promising young talent who quickly rises to become the team’s star. But it’s not only talent and passion that determine the outcome of the matches — calculation and corruption play a role as well. Increasing tensions between coach and management lead Petar to migrate to Germany, where he takes over a major club in Munich. His very first match — against his former home team — throws him into a deep identity conflict, especially since his father was killed by Germans during the war.
Since 2018, the Inncontro Film Festival has opened with a “historical” film, offering a lens through which to explore both continuities and ruptures in cinematic and societal engagement with the festival’s central theme.
Discussion: Mirjana Stojaković, Managing Director of ZeMiT, and Dajana Mehadžić, Consultant and Project Manager at ZeMiT
In cooperation with the Centre for Eastern European Studies at the University of Innsbruck.
Produktion: CFS Košutnjak, Belgrad, Avala Film. Drehbuch: Mladomir (Puriša) Đorđević. Kamera: Živorad Milić. Bühnenbild: Sava Aćin. Redaktion: Mirjana Mitić. Untertitelt und zur Verfügung gestellt von: Slavoljub Gnjatovic, Delta Video
Soleen Yusef | DE 2024 | 119 min | OV
scool screening Th, 21st of November 2024 | 9 am
Friday, 22nd of November 2024 | 5 pm
Eleven-year-old Mona loves football — and her aunt Helin. She had to leave both behind in Syria when she fled to Berlin with her Kurdish family. Her new school is a shock at first: pure chaos, and the other students react to her with deep skepticism or open rejection. Only one dedicated teacher takes Mona under his wing and places her on the girls’ football team — much to the displeasure of her teammates. They still see Mona as an outsider and are busy fighting their own battles, both internal and with each other. But over time, it becomes clear: only if they team up and play together can they truly win.
In her second feature film, inspired by her own biography, Soleen Yusef shows what football can mean for young people — and how even underdogs deserve a shot at victory.
online conversation:
Soleen Yusef in conversation with Canan Turan – curator, script consultant, and moderator
Regie und Buch: Soleen Yusef. Kamera: Stephan Burchardt. Montage: Marty Schenk. Musik: David Menke, Boris Rogowski. Sound Design: Sebastian Schmidt, Marty Schenk. Ton: Johannes Hampel. Mischung: Olaf Mehl. Szenenbild: Nadja Götze. Kostüm: Saskia Richter. Maske: Virginie Thomann. Casting: Liza Stutzky, Jacqueline Rietz. Produzent*innen: Sonja Schmitt, Marc Schmidheiny, Christoph Daniel. Koproduzent*innen: Dario Suter, Claus Boje, Joel Brandeis, Detlev Buck. Redaktion: Anke Lindemann, Nicole Schneider, Lene Neckel, Jens Opatz. Koproduktion: Boje Buck Produktion Potsdam, MDR Leipzig, SWR Stuttgart, WDR Köln
Milad Alami | SE 2023 | 119 min | OmeU
Freitag, 22. November 2024 | 20:00 uhr
Out of fear of persecution, Iman flees Iran with his wife Maryam and their daughters Asal and Sahar, seeking refuge in Sweden. In hopes of securing a special residency permit, the former professional athlete joins a local wrestling team — much to the disapproval of Maryam. As Iman trains and works as a food delivery driver, he grows increasingly distant from his wife, who wishes to return to their former life in Iran. The situation escalates until Iman is forced to confront the deeper reasons behind his decision to flee.
Milad Alami’s drama sensitively explores the physical and emotional struggles of its characters, and powerfully illustrates how life in exile can come to a standstill.
discussion with Milad Amani
Regie und Buch: Milad Alami. Kamera: Sebastian Winterø. Montage: Olivia Neergaard-Holm. Musik: Jon Ekstrand, Carl-Johan Sevedag. Sound Design: Andreas Franck. Szenenbild: Thomas Øyjordsbakken. Kostüm: Ingjerd Meland. Maske: Erica Spetzig. Casting: Zar Amir-Ebrahimi, Sara Törnkvist. Regieassistenz: Misagh Alami. Produktionsleitung: Denise Carlford. Produzent*innen: Annika Rogell, Sandra Warg, Peter Possne. Koproduzent*innen: Sandra Warg, Peter Possne, Anna Croneman, Ruben Thorkildsen. Koproduktion: Filmpool Nord Luleå, Film i Väst Trollhättan, Sveriges Television Stockholm, Ape & Bjørn Oslo
Guy Nattiv, Zar Amir Ebrahimi | Ge, US 2023 | 105 Min | OmdU
Saturday, 23rd of November 2024 | 5 pm
Celebrated Iranian judoka Leila Hosseini is about to compete in the World Championships in Tbilisi, determined to win the first gold medal for her country. Victory seems within reach — until, just before the final match, the regime in Tehran pressures her to fake an injury and withdraw from the competition.
The reason: under no circumstances may Iran face Israel in the final round, for fear of losing. If Leila refuses, she risks being labeled a traitor — with dire consequences for her own safety, and for the safety of her family and coach.
Inspired by real stories of Iranian female athletes, this gripping thriller — told in striking cinematic style — portrays a young woman’s powerful resistance against repression and political exploitation.
Introduction:
Narmin Mirzai, Association of Independent Iranian Women in Austria,
Women’s Rights Network, Amnesty International Austria
Regie: Guy Nattiv, Zar Amir Ebrahimi. Produktion: Keshet Studios (Mandy Tagger, Adi Ezroni), New Native Pictures (Jaime Ray Newman, Guy Nattiv). Hauptdarsteller: Arienne Mandi, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Jaime Ray Newman, Ash Goldeh. Drehbuch: Guy Nattiv, Elham Erfani. Kamera: Todd Martin. Schnitt: Yuval Orr. Produktionsdesign: Sofia Kharebashvili, Tamar Guliashvili. Kostümbildnerin: Sopo Iosebidse. Musik: Dascha Dauenhauer. Ton: Ronen Nagel. Visuelle Effekte: Yaron Yashinski Studio
Maike Conway | DE 2023 | 90 min | OV
Saturday, 23rd of November 2025 | 8 pm
Breaking in 2023: BGirl Joanna and BBoy Said Serhat find themselves balancing between subcultural dance roots and the demands of an official Olympic sport. To qualify for the Olympic Games, they must train intensely, compete in ranking battles, and participate in numerous tournaments.
For Serhat, being accepted into the German national team holds particular meaning: he could become the first Uyghur — a persecuted minority in China — to compete at the Olympics.
Joanna, meanwhile, is trying to juggle university, breaking, and family life — while meeting the expectations of her Bulgarian parents, who hope for a better future for their daughter.
As the performance pressure increases, one thing remains most important to both Serhat and Joanna: not to lose the joy, the passion for breaking, and the solidarity within their crew.
Talksession: Dancers from Street Motion Studio
In cooperation with Street Motion Studio
Autorin: Maike Conway. Kamera: Tobias Tempel. Ton: Björn Rothe. Schnitt: Hauke von Stietencron. Musik: Ami Warning, Jamaram, FergeXFisherman, BOTY Soundtrack. Produktion: Moviepool in Koproduktion mit ZDF 37°, gefördert vom FFF Bayern. Produzentin: Johanna Teichmann. Weitere Produzent*innen: Martin Choroba . Vertrieb und Verleih: Cine Global
collecting history of migration
The Documentation Archive Migration Tirol – DAM
Archival Exhibition in the Context of the Inncontro Film Festival
To write the history of migration, we need testimonies from the past — and a place to preserve them for future generations. The Documentation Archive Migration Tirol (DAM), based at the Centre for Migrants in Tirol (ZeMiT), is such a place. Here, stories of migration and displacement are collected and made accessible to researchers and the public.
The archive focuses on migration and flight to Tirol and their lasting impacts since 1945. Its collections include eyewitness interviews, personal keepsakes and documents from migrants and people with migration biographies, official records, photographs, audio and video material, written documents from migrant associations, NGOs, businesses, and advisory institutions, as well as posters, flyers, press clippings, and much more.
What does DAM offer on the topic of “Sport and Migration”?
Numerous photographs of football teams, chess tournaments, bowling championships, fan items, newspaper articles, and a wealth of materials from the legendary “Workers’ Sports Games – Bratstvo i jedinstvo” of the Yugoslav workers’ clubs in Austria.
Sport — especially football — played an important role in the migration history of Tirol. Playing football fostered and strengthened group cohesion; it gave many migrants a greater sense of belonging. One eyewitness recalls founding a football club in the 1970s and 1980s: sport, he says, was essential in youth work, helping keep disadvantaged young people “off the streets.”
The DAM continues to grow.
What role does sport play in migration today?
Are there photos, clubs, or initiatives to share?
Christina Hollomey-Gasser and Verena Sauermann from DAM welcome your contributions!
Together, we write history.
contact us dam@zemit.at
more information www.dam.tirol
online archive www.archiv.dam.tirol
