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Rock Paper Scissors

BAFTA 2025 Winner (Best British Short Film). Based on a true story — Ivan and his father operate a makeshift hospital at the frontline of war, but when enemy soldiers close in, Ivan faces an impossible choice to protect his father, their patients, and everything they stand for.

  • Franz Böhm
    Director
    Dear Future Children
  • Franz Böhm
    Writer
    Dear Future Children
  • Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer
    Producer
    Claudia, Shadow, Ocras, Kathy & Jeb
  • Oleksandr Rudynskyi
    Key Cast
    "Ivan"
    Wataha, Rhino, Early Swallows, Stay Online, The Best Weekend
  • Sergey Kalantay
    Key Cast
    "Father (Bohdan)"
    Die Patin - Kein Weg zurück, Stranger, Ballada o bombere, The Big Fight
  • Milosh Luchanko
    Key Cast
    "Ukrainian Boy (Andryi)"
  • Sebastian Anton
    Key Cast
    "Russian Squad Leader (Sergei)"
    Battle for Sevastopol, Anton
  • Oleksandr Yatsenko
    Key Cast
    "Soldier - Russian (Anatoly)"
    The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Sex, Insta I ZNO, Forever-Forever
  • Yurii Radionoff
    Key Cast
    "Wounded Soldier (Mykola)"
    The Factory, Cyborgs: Heroes Never Die
  • Hsien Yu Niu
    Cinematographer
    Underneath, Heathens, Demon
  • Shivani Bhawnani
    Production Designer
    Claudia
  • Carmela Schönenberger
    Editor
  • Marcin Mazurek
    Composer
    A Love Worth Fighting For, The Investigators
  • Aimee Dennett
    Hair & Make-Up Designer
    Naja
  • Olissa Rogers
    Casting Director
    Ted Lasso, The School for Good and Evil, My Friend Misty
  • Eva Windhal
    Costume Designer
    Claudia
  • Bryony Lear
    Sound Designer & Mixer
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    War, Drama, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 13, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    Russian, Ukrainian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - National Film And Television School
  • BAFTA Awards 2025
    London
    United Kingdom
    February 16, 2025
    WINNER - Best British Short Film
  • Show Me Shorts 2024

    New Zealand
    October 31, 2024
    World Premiere
    Best International Film - Oscar Qualifying - Nomination
  • Cambridge Film Festival 2024
    Cambridge
    United Kingdom
    October 31, 2024
    Honourable Mention for Best Short Film Audience Award
  • Norwich Film Festival 2024
    Norwich
    United Kingdom
    November 16, 2024
  • London Super Shorts Festival 2024
    London
    United Kingdom
    December 4, 2024
  • British Urban Film Festival 2024
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 25, 2024
    British Premiere
  • Aesthetica Film Festival 2024
    York
    United Kingdom
    November 10, 2024
    Best Poster Design
  • St. Louis International Film Festival 2024
    St. Louis
    United States
    November 16, 2024
    USA Premiere
    Audience Award - Best Live Action Short Film - Nomination
  • Max Ophüls Film Festival 2024
    Saarbrucken
    Germany
    January 26, 2025
    German Premiere
    Max Ophüls Award: Best Short Film & Max Ophüls Prize: Audience Award Short Film
  • Manchester Film Festival 2025
    Manchester
    United Kingdom
    March 23, 2025
  • Hollyshorts Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 16, 2025
    Los Angeles
Distribution Information
  • MagnetFilm
    Sales Agent
    Country: Germany
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Franz Böhm

Franz Böhm from Stuttgart, Germany, directed his first film, Harmonie der Anderen, at age 16.

Gaining experience working for German TV Channel ZDF, Franz created the documentary Christmas Wishes, showcasing homeless youth’s lives. The film was selected as the opening for the German Youth Film Awards. Franz then directed a short drama, Good Luck, which premiered at the British Independent Film Festival.

Franz's debut feature film, DEAR FUTURE CHILDREN, won the audience award at its world premiere at the 42nd Max-Ophüls-Preis Film Festival. The film later premiered at international film festivals such as CPH:DOX and Hot Docs International Film Festival, where it won the audience award. DEAR FUTURE CHILDREN was nominated for the First Steps Award and won audience & main jury awards at the 2022 German Documentary Awards. The film was distributed in over 40 countries and watched by over 90,000 cinema-goers before being released on Netflix DACH.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"Rock Paper Scissors" is a story of tragedy, hope, sacrifice, and resilience. We hope this film serves as a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition during times of conflict and leaves audiences with a profound sense of empathy for those who endure the horrors of war.

Our approach to bringing this story to the screen was grounded in authenticity and empathy. We wanted to create an immersive experience that would resonate with audiences profoundly and emotionally. To achieve this, we meticulously crafted the script in close correspondence with the real main protagonist and many members of the Ukrainian community, paying attention to even the most minor details of the characters' lives within the bunker, their fears, hopes, and, most importantly, their relationships with one another.

The bunker became a central character in the film, a claustrophobic and perilous space where our characters grapple with their fears and hopes. We worked closely with our production design team to ensure that every aspect of the bunker's portrayal, from the lack of windows to the scattered storage boxes, would convey the palpable tension of the situation.

The cast and crew dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to this project. The performances, particularly from our young lead actor, captured the vulnerability and resilience of these characters in a war-torn landscape. The cinematography embraced the intimacy of the bunker's communal area and the desolation of the industrial wasteland outside. Our goal was to juxtapose the safety and unity within the bunker against the stark and dangerous world beyond its doors.

The film's pacing was deliberately measured, allowing audiences to connect with the characters and feel the building tension. The choice to maintain a tight focus on Ivan's perspective throughout much of the story was intended to foster a deep emotional connection with his journey and the impossible decisions he faces.

We aim for “Rock Paper Scissors” to be a compelling cinematic experience and a reflection on the strength of the human spirit when faced with unimaginable challenges. We hope this film will resonate with audiences long after the credits roll, prompting them to reflect on the enduring courage of individuals who confront the harshest realities in the pursuit of survival and preserving their loved ones and homeland.