Private Project

JAKOB & MARIA

Jakob & Maria is a film by Christian Schiesser, partly shot on Super-8 analog film. The film is meant to animate people to think big, to dream big, to have big visions - but also to realize them.
We follow the story of Jakob, a perpetual student, who wanders dreamily through life until one day, with the help of his Super-8 camera, he gets a different view of the world. In a museum, a mysterious woman suddenly speaks to him while he is filming with his Super-8 camera... Who is this woman? Jakob sets out to find her. Her message won't let Jacob go...." Think big, dream big...."

Inspired by many great films, and equally inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Rule of Success" speech, Christian Schiesser's screenplay has expressed his appreciation to the great cinematic works - and if you listen closely, you can also discover some film quotes.

  • Christian Schiesser
    Director
  • Christian Schiesser
    Writer
  • Christian Schiesser
    Producer
  • Gabriele Gruber
    Producer
  • David Ketter
    Key Cast
    "Jakob"
  • Sarah Scherer
    Key Cast
    "Maria"
  • Roswitha Soukup
    Key Cast
    "Maria"
  • Klaus Rott
    Key Cast
    "Museumswärter"
  • Clemens Aap Lindenberg
    Key Cast
    "Gunter Hasil"
  • Saskia Norman
    Key Cast
    "Elfi"
  • Thorsten Ullmann
    Key Cast
    "Jack"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 6, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Austria
  • Country of Filming:
    Austria
  • Language:
    German
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital / Analog
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • HOLLYWOOD INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
    Los Angeles
    United States
    April 24, 2023
    WINNER: Best Short Film
  • GLIFF - GOLDEN LEMUR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Lisbon
    Portugal
    February 4, 2023
    WINNER: Best Director Debut // Best Actor // Best Sound Design // Best After Credits //// HONORABLE MENTION: Best Short Movie // Best Editing
  • AUSTRIAN FILMFESTIVAL
    VIENNA
    Austria
    October 14, 2023
    Austrian Premiere
    WINNER: Audience Award // Best Comedy
  • Vesuvius International Film Fest - 27th Edition
    Naples
    Italy
    November 30, 2022
    Italian Premiere
    Winner BEST COMEDY SHORT
  • 8 & Halfilm Awareds
    Rome
    Italy
    December 20, 2022
    BEST EUROPEAN DIRECTOR
  • 11th Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival-22
    Mumbai
    India
    December 15, 2022
    SPECIAL FESTIVAL MENTION
  • INCORTO FILM FEST ´22
    Mexico City
    Mexico
    November 12, 2022
    Mexico Premiere
    Official Selection
  • LONDON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    London
    United Kingdom
    April 22, 2023
    SPECIAL JURY AWARD
  • ARFF AMSTERDAM INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    HONORABLE MENTION - Best Short
  • BRAZIL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2022
    Brazil
    Brazil
    HONORABLE MENTION
  • GERMANY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Hamburg
    Germany
    HONORABLE MENTION
  • KIEZ BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL
    Berlin
    Germany
    HONORABLE MENTION
  • UTSAV Film Festival
    Mumbai
    India
    December 15, 2022
    Nomination BEST ACTOR (David Ketter)
  • FILMTAGE OBERSCHWABEN
    Ravensburg
    Germany
    October 13, 2022
    Official Selection
  • GOA SHORT FILM FESTIVAL ´22
    Goa
    India
    October 8, 2022
    Indian Premier
    Official Selection
  • WISDOM TREE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Pune
    India
    February 22, 2023
    Official Selection
  • ALIBAG SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
    Alibag
    India
    January 28, 2023
    Official Selection
  • SWISS INTERNATIONALL FILM FESTIVAL

    Switzerland
    Official Selection
  • PORTUGAL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

    Portugal
    Official Selection
  • KALAKARI FILM FESTIVAL
    Dewas
    India
    Official Selection
  • ITALY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

    Italy
    April 24, 2023
    Official Selection
  • SPAIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

    Spain
    April 24, 2023
    Official Selection
  • CANADA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL

    Canada
    April 24, 2023
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Christian Schiesser

Christian Schiesser was born in Vienna in 1972. He studied acting at the Conservatory of Acting "Open Acting Academy" in Vienna and graduated with a state diploma in 2014. 
 
He has appeared in numerous film and TV productions and worked with directors such as Rupert Henning (Tatort, Wie ich lernte bei mir selbst Kind zu sein), Dominik Hartl (Attack of the Lederhosen Zombies), Holger Barthel (various TV productions including Soko Donau) and many more.

In 2021 Christian Schiesser also produced his film "Jakob & Maria" (Forever Young Artists). Here he also wrote the script and directed. 

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"My first connection to film was actually my father's Super-8 camera. That's why I shot parts with analog Super-8 film. "Jakob & Maria" is my first film. I tried to use the film to express my appreciation for film itself and the great masterpieces that have so often captivated me myself.
Another inspiration for this film was one of the greats of cinema: Arnold Schwarzenegger. His biography and his "Rules of Success" provide a powerful dose of motivation. I don't want to live a life in the subjunctive. I would like to replace "I could, I would, I should or I have to" with "I'll do it"!