Private Project

The Hidden Dimension

The Hidden Dimension is an intimate portrait of queer photographer Leo Maki. A dreamlike journey into his mind that explores the artists life in Poland, the creative process behind his work and the embrace of his own sexuality.

  • Leo Maki
    Key Cast
  • Ben Galster
    Director
  • Ben Galster
    Writer
  • Tom Czibolya
    Writer
  • Bernhard Russow
    Cinematographer
  • Christian Ruess
    Executive Producer
  • SCR/ Container Love
    Production Company
  • Julia Groszek
    Producer
  • David Fabra @SEC
    Editor
  • Joseph Bicknell @Company3
    Colorist
  • Dennis Beckmann
    Sound Design & Mix
  • Gordian Gleiß @86Tales
    Composer
  • Katalyst Berlin
    VFX
  • Tobias Lamp
    VFX
  • Peter Marsden
    VFX
  • Harald Schaack @Grotesk Group
    Data Artist
  • Tim Hunkemöller @Grotesk Group
    Data Artist
  • Olaf Jurdyga
    Gaffer
  • Marek Rumak
    Grip
  • Funs Kurstjens @OOOZ Design Club
    Artwork
  • Steffen Leukel @OOOZ Design Club
    Artwork
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 22 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 14, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Poland
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Next Generation Short Tiger
    Dresden
    Germany
    April 20, 2024
    No Premiere
    Winner FFA Short Tiger
  • 53rd Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival
    Potsdam
    Germany
    April 25, 2024
    No Premiere
    Official Selection
  • 36. Filmfest Dresden International Short Film Festival
    Dresden
    Germany
    April 20, 2024
    No Premiere
    Official Selection
  • 33rd Flickerfest International Short Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    January 25, 2024
    Australian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • YDA / Young Director Award
    Cannes
    France
    June 22, 2023
    Jury only / no screening
    Winner Silver Screen / Documentary
  • Berlin Commercial
    Berlin
    Germany
    July 25, 2023
    Jury only / no screening
    Winner / Craft: Cinematography
  • 57th Hof International Film Festival
    Munich
    Germany
    October 24, 2023
    German Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival
    Providence
    United States
    August 7, 2023
    Word Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Holly Shorts Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 20, 2023
    No Premiere
    Official Selection
  • VAEFF | video art and experimental film festival
    New York
    United States
    November 18, 2023
    No Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Lisbon Film Rendezvous
    Lisbon
    Portugal
    December 5, 2023
    Portugal Premiere
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Studio Christian Ruess
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Ben Galster

Ben is a commercial and music video director, living in Berlin. He originally studied Graphic Design in Germany before moving to London to study Fine Art at the Chelsea College of Art & Design, where he begun to make his first films.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The film has been created for Container Love, a global platform based in Berlin committed to promote queer art for a positive change. The passion project has been brought together by the founder Christian Ruess, myself and the shared vision and generosity of different creatives with the same believes.

By incorporating the look and feel of his photography, we wanted to create a film that visually mesmerizes and invites the viewer into the artists world. The title is taken from Edward Hall’s book by the same name, which deals with the invisible bubble of space that constitutes each person's territory.

LGBTQIA+ rights still have a long way to go in Poland. One of seven countries in the EU that still ban same-sex marriage and one of five that don’t even allow same-sex civil unions.