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SOLACE

In a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by deadly cold waves following a devastating nuclear war, a grandfather suffering from speech impairment due to the war struggles to survive.
After burying his grandson, he is forced to embark on a journey alone while a new cold storm approaches.

Along the way, he encounters a boy with the ability to generate warmth, who is hiding from his pursuers. Although the boy is initially distrustful due to his traumatic past, a bond slowly begins to form between them. When the grandfather is ambushed and severely injured by the pursuers, the boy returns to save him.

Using his special gift, the boy manages to shield the grandfather from the oncoming storm, and together they find a spark of hope in the frozen world.

This film tells a moving story of trust, survival, and the unyielding power of humanity in a merciless environment.

  • Hannes Berthold
    Director
  • Hannes Berthold
    Writer
  • Hannes Berthold
    Producer
  • Reiner Schöne
    Key Cast
    "Grossvater"
    (T)Raumschiff Surprise – Periode 1, Star Trek: Raumschiff Voyager, Babylon 5, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Der letzte Bulle, Der König von St. Pauli, Otto – Der Katastrophenfilm, Immenhof – Das Abenteuer eines Sommers, Unsere Farm in Irland
  • Kurt Angermann
    Key Cast
    "Junge"
  • Jonas Fürstenau
    Key Cast
    "Jack"
    Tatort Dresden: Parasomnia, „Wolfsland – Kein Entkommen“ & „Heimsuchung, Polizeiruf 110 – Der Verurteilte, SOKO Leipzig, Die Heiland – Wir sind Anwalt, Wolfsland – 20 Stunden, Der Thüringen-Krimi: Gerechtigkeit, Tierärztin Dr. Mertens, HouseParty
  • Tom Simon
    Key Cast
    "Elliot"
  • Julian Hannes Wallner
    Assistant Director (AD)
    The Spawn, WILD, Passwort, Murphy, Karl und Kasimir
  • Lena Thum
    Line Producer
  • Jacob Wallner
    Storyboard Artist
    The Spawn, WILD, Passwort, Murphy, Karl und Kasimir
  • Christin Kirchner
    Script Consultant
  • Jacob Wallner
    Director of Photography (DoP
    The Spawn, WILD, Passwort, Murphy, Karl und Kasimir
  • Julian Förster
    1st Assistant Camera (1st AC)
  • Bob Günther
    Stunt-Double
  • Larissa Schneider
    2nd Assistant Camera (2nd AC)
  • Paul Weiß
    Gaffer
    The Spawn
  • Bob Günther
    Lighting Technician
  • Hendrik Wiesner
    Best Boy Electric
  • Konstantin Decker
    Grip
  • Dominik Block
    Sound Recordist
  • Richard Bockholt
    Sound Recordist
  • Carlotta Sieber
    Costume Designer
  • Hannah Reuvekamp
    Make-up Artist
  • Carlotta Sieber
    Props Master
  • Clara Haines
    Props Master
  • Hannes Berthold
    Props Master
  • Matthias Berthold
    Props Master
  • Eike Oang
    Stunt Consultant
  • Janett Hanitzsch
    Script Supervisor
  • Marco Seidel
    Data Wrangler
  • Arne Görlitz
    Set Runner
  • Gabriele Julius Henze
    Behind the Scenes
  • Louis Michel
    Behind the Scenes
  • Richard Bockholt
    Behind the Scenes
  • Matthias Berthold
    Catering Services
  • Steffi Margot Berthold
    Catering Services
  • Tom Janke
    Catering Services
  • Katja Berthold
    Catering Services
  • Rebecca Zettwitz
    Catering Services
  • Antonio Klaus Karow
    Location Scouting
  • Hannes Berthold
    Location Scouting
  • Jacob Wallner
    Location Scouting
    The Spawn, WILD, Passwort, Murphy, Karl und Kasimir
  • Konstantin Decker
    Location Scouting
  • Larissa Schneider
    Location Scouting
  • Matthias Berthold
    Production Logistics
  • Lena Thum
    Production Logistics
  • Hannes Berthold
    Editor
  • Jacob Wallner
    Additional Editor
    The Spawn, WILD, Passwort, Murphy, Karl und Kasimir
  • Jacob Wallner
    Colorist
    The Spawn, WILD, Passwort, Murphy, Karl und Kasimir
  • Hannes Berthold
    Color Consultant
  • Hannes Berthold
    VFX Artist / Compositor
  • Hannes Berthold
    Sound Designer
  • Nick Keller
    Composer
    King Tweety, Unikitty!, True Crime News, The Big Shot, Tom & Jerry, Perfect Match, Space Mission: Danger, All In A Day’s Work, Godfather of Harlem
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    SOLACE
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalyptic, Drama
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 41 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 29, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    14,500 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany
  • Language:
    German
  • Shooting Format:
    ARRI Alexa Mini LF
  • Aspect Ratio:
    18:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - IU Internationale Hochschule Dresden
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • IU REEL 2025 Award
    Berlin
    Germany
    April 26, 2025
    Audience Award
  • Snowdance Independent Film Festival
    Essen
    Germany
    February 6, 2026
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Hannes Berthold

Hannes Berthold (born 2001) is a German media designer and filmmaker with a strong focus on post-production, VFX, and visual storytelling. After completing his dual studies in Media Design at IU International University, he gained over 3.5 years of professional experience as a video editor at Blackfire Medien GmbH.

His short film SOLACE – a touching post-apocalyptic story about human connection and survival – won the Audience Award at IU International University's student film festival in 2025.

Under the name HB Media, Hannes works as a freelance editor and visual artist, combining technical precision with a passion for emotionally driven narratives.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

SOLACE has been the most profound experience of my life so far. This film is deeply personal to me — it’s inspired by the relationship with my grandfather, who lost his ability to speak after a stroke. Through this story, I wanted to explore themes of silence, connection, and human warmth in the face of overwhelming coldness. SOLACE is not just a post-apocalyptic journey — it’s a tribute to resilience, empathy, and the unspoken bonds that can outlast even the harshest worlds.