Chubby Einstein

In this experimental short film, a brother and sister set out to find their younger brother to warn him about a serious health condition in the family. What follows is a tragicomic journey in which they encounter a series of unusual characters and, through flashbacks, witness the extraordinary life story of Chubby Einstein.

The story and voice-over texts were written by myself, while the images were generated using AI (prompted by me). The goal was never to create perfect visuals, but rather to embrace imperfections and glitches—allowing a strange and distinctive visual language to emerge, amplifying the film’s surreal atmosphere. There is much to critique about AI—its potential to dull creativity or mislead with images—but I find it fascinating that, precisely because of its mistakes and glitches, it can open up unexpected worlds and enrich our stories. Not as a replacement for human creativity, but as a tool to collaborate with.

Keywords: coming of age, bullying, mental health, dark humor, gender questions, absurdism.

Please make sure to watch until the end credits.(they contribute to the story:-)

The film can stand on its own very well, but for those who want more, after its completion, a transmedia project emerged that intertwines fiction. reality, and both digital and physical worlds. There is a website that not only shares information but also weaves extra stories and visual narratives into the world of the project. In the online shop, one can purchase unique and rare physical collectible items from the universe of Chubby Einstein, such as photographs taken by the protagonist from space of the Earth, stardust given to him as a farewell gift by the space dog Laika and five toothpicks used by the chicken farmer. The website blends absurdism and satire with a serious approach to various societal issues, philosophical questions, and moral dilemmas, gender equality, bullying, complex family dynamics, geopolitical concerns, including the rise of fascism and questions like to what extent we can/should separate an artist (x/v/m) from their work when they misbehave?

All images were generated with AI (Adobe Firefly and VEO3), as were the voice-over performances (TTSmaker).

The story and all voice-over texts were written by Marten Winters (without the use of AI).

Translations were made using Google Translate.

Free stock music by Pixabay.

More about my work on: www.martenwinters.nl

  • Marten Winters
    Director
  • Marten Winters
    Writer
  • Marten Winters
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Chubby Einstein
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Web / New Media
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 24, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    0 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Netherlands
  • Country of Filming:
    Netherlands
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    AI generated
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Official selections, nominations and wins 2025/26: Film Festival Fresh Stream, Tbilisi, Georgia— Official selection, Best web/new media FilmHaus Berlin, Germany— Semi Finalist, Best experimental short Palermo International Film Festival- semi finalist. Silver Wings International Film Festival India- Award Winner- best experimental. WOLF Media Festival, Melbourne USA — Official Selection, Best Experimental Film Luleå International Film Festival, Norrbotten Sweden— Official Selection, AI creations (Film) Sicilian Film Awards, Palermo, Italy,— Honorable Mention, Austin International Art Festival, Austin— Semi Finalist Best International Experimental Short. Stockholm City Film Festival, Stockholm, Sweden—Official Selection Best Experimental Film,  East Village New York Film Festival, NY— Finalist Indie Short Film (low budget) New York Movie Awards, NY,— Official Selection, Experimental Film. Indie Short Fest, Los Angeles — Semi-Finalist Best Experimental Film; Best New Media / Web. Paradise Film Festival, Cologne — Official Selection Best Experimental Short Film. Replay International Film Festival, Vienna — Nominee Best Low-Budget Film. Independent Shorts Awards, Los Angeles — Finalist Best Experimental Short Film. IndieX Film Festival, Los Angeles — Semi Finalist, Best Web & New Media. Tamizhagam International Film Festival, Chennai, India — Winner Best Experimental Short Film. Portugal Indie Film Festival, Cascais — Winner Best Experimental Short Film.
  • Korea AI Cinema Festival
    Seoul
    South Korea
    February 25, 2026
    Asian
    Official Selection, AI film
  • Golden Bridge İstanbul Short Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Türkiye
    March 15, 2026
    Official Selection
  • San Antonio Independent Film Festival
    San Antoinio
    Ecuador
    March 19, 2026
    Official Selection
  • Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival,
    New Delhi
    India
    April 30, 2026
    Official Selection
  • ART EXPERIMENTAL SCREENINGS FILM FESTIVAL FRESH STREAM
    Tbilisi
    Georgia
    May 15, 2026
    Award for best web/new media
Distribution Information
  • Marten Winters
    Distributor
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Marten Winters

Marten Winters: Born in Heerenveen, 1969, The Netherlands. I am a self-taught artist working in various media, including short film.

Chubby Einstein is my first autonomous short film in many years. Earlier films (selection) Way of the Flesh (Weg v/h Vlees) 1996. My models fly better 2000. A delayed return of sentiment 2001. Latvia 2005, Interlude 2006/07

More about the film at: www.chubby-einstein.com
More about my work at: www.martenwinters.nl
'

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My professional practice is highly diverse, ranging from large-scale community art projects and public space artworks to autonomous works consisting of performances, short films, and installations that incorporate various media: drawings, paintings, objects, constructions, video, and audio. Distinctive visual elements in my autonomous work include rawness, intentional imperfection, “ugliness,” and the use of multiple styles alongside and interwoven with each other. At the core of my work is the story I want to tell, for which I search for a fitting form and style. Recurring elements in my work include social engagement, absurdism, tragedy, humor, and playfulness.