Private Project

Shapes of Aether

"Shapes of Aether" is a dance film that explores the concept of aether through movement language. Aether, also known as the fifth element, is a concept that has been interpreted to be a divine and transformative force that surrounds us. The film presents an ethereal, unseen force that permeates our surroundings and can be captured through the fluid movements of the human form.

The primeval landscape, a testament to the power of the four elements, earth, air, fire, and water. Through the dancer’s body, the different elements communicate, embodying a connection between the human body and nature. The film also delves into the idea that consciousness can form physical shapes and how this connection to aether can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself, with the power to facilitate a personal transformation. The dancer becomes a conduit for the elements, allowing their energy to flow through and be expressed in the art of cinematography.

The film features the movements of the body, words, sounds, and human understanding combined to create an immersive experience, inviting the audience to connect with the primal forces of nature and reflect the pulse of the earth beneath their feet.

  • Elias Benedikt Choi-Buttinger
    Director
  • Weng Teng Choi-Buttinger
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Elias Benedikt Choi-Buttinger
    Producer
  • Weng Teng Choi-Buttinger
    Producer
  • Weng Teng Choi-Buttinger
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Experimental, dance film, dance shorts, experimental dance film
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 38 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 5, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Austria
  • Country of Filming:
    Iceland
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    24mm
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • First-Time Filmmaker Sessions - hosted by Lift-Off Global Network
    Pinewood Studios
    United Kingdom
    February 20, 2023
    UK
    Official Selection
  • kalakari film fest
    DEWAS
    India
    March 18, 2023
    India
    Official Selection
  • Cult Critic Movie Awards
    Kolkata
    India
    April 11, 2023
    Honorable Mention
  • TIAF - Tashkent International Animation Forum
    Tashkent
    Uzbekistan
    May 5, 2023
    Uzbekistan
    Official Selection
  • Golden Bridge İstanbul Short Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    April 17, 2023
    Turkey
    Award Winner
  • Golden Lion International Film Festival (GLIFF)
    Kolkata
    India
    April 17, 2023
    Award Winner
  • Cuckoo International Film Awards
    Chennai
    India
    April 30, 2023
    Award Winner
  • Golden Fern Film Awards
    Darjeeling
    India
    April 28, 2023
    Award Winner
  • Golden Short Film Festival
    Avezzano
    Italy
    April 27, 2023
    Italy
    Official Selection
  • Denver Monthly Film Awards
    Denver
    United States
    May 2, 2023
    USA
    Finalist
  • DanzaTTack, Festival Internacional de CineDanza
    Tacoronte
    Spain
    May 12, 2023
    Spain
    Award Winner
  • Beyond the Curve International Film Festival
    Paris
    France
    June 2, 2023
    France
    Award Winner
  • La danza in 1 minuto International Screendance Contest
    Bologna
    Italy
    July 7, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Marina del Rey Film Festival®
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 8, 2023
    Official Selection
  • DANCINEMA
    VANCOUVER
    Canada
    July 4, 2023
    Canada
    Official Selection
  • Indie Shorts Mag Short Film Festival
    Online
    July 13, 2023
    Online
    Semi Finalist
  • DANCE CAMERA ISTANBUL-Impro Dance Fest Edition
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    September 22, 2023
    Official Selection
  • ZERO PLUS International Film Festival
    Tyumen
    Russian Federation
    October 1, 2023
    Sussia
    Official Selection
  • International ScreenDance Festival
    Iowa
    United States
    August 26, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Cuadro por Danza Festival - dance film & dance photography
    Caracas
    Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
    September 9, 2023
    Venezuela
    Official Selection
  • Austrian Filmfestival
    Vienna
    Austria
    October 12, 2023
    Official Selection
  • ZEBRA Poetry Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    October 12, 2023
    Germany
    Official Selection
  • Ketchikan Dance Film Festival
    Ketchikan
    United States
    September 30, 2023
    Alaska
    Official Selection
  • Linz International Short Film Festival
    Linz
    Austria
    October 11, 2023
    Austria
    Official Selection
  • Moving Images videodance festival
    Egkomi
    Cyprus
    November 19, 2023
    Cyprus
    Official Selection
  • Thessaloniki Cinedance International
    Thessaloniki
    Greece
    September 20, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Exeter Dance International Film Festival
    Exeter
    United Kingdom
    October 14, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    January 19, 2024
    Award Winner
Director Biography - Elias Benedikt Choi-Buttinger

Elias Choi-Buttinger, also known as Bboy Melisha, is a freelance dancer and choreographer with 20 years of experience in the industry. He first gained recognition for his dance video in the early 2010s, and since then has gone on to achieve success as a choreographer. In 2016, his film Beyond the Broken Hoop was awarded "Best Dance Film" at the Austrian Independent Film Festival, and he also received the award Dance of the dance from the Taipei Fringe Festival in 2016. In addition to his work in Austria, Elias has exchanged and performed in cities around the world including New York, Yokohama, Taipei, Prague, Kolkata, Warsaw, and Macau.

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Director Statement

Art is not what we learn in school!