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Wild Birds Fly – An animation documentary film

Set in 1995 Berlin, this short documentary follows Frank, a 15-year-old punk who runs away from home. Initially finding a sense of rebellion on the streets, Frank is soon confronted with the harsh realities of street life—substance abuse, loss, and survival. This is a raw, intimate portrait of a young boy’s struggle for identity in a world that offers both liberation and danger.

  • Frank Fuhrmann
    Voice-over
    Narrator
  • Maria Dinitz
    Voice-over
    Social worker / Judge
  • Dritte Wahl
    Music
    "Fliegen"
  • Phantastonia
    Music
    Background music
  • Maria Dinitz
    Production
    Director / Producer / Editor
  • Prof. Klaus Dufke
    Production
    Supervisor
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Wilde Vögel Fliegen – Ein dokumentarischer Animationsfilm
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Animated documentary, Poetic Documentary, Animation, Biography, Short film, Student film
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 22 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 27, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany
  • Language:
    German
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Applied Sciences, Potsdam
  • The Short Nights of Berlin
    Berlin
    Germany
    August 12, 2024
    Debut
    Official Selection
  • Kurzfilmabend – Dokumentarfilme im Casino
    Potsdam
    Germany
    October 15, 2024
    Official Selection
  • "TOO DRUNK TO WATCH" Punkfilmfest Berlin
    Berlin
    Germany
    October 17, 2024
    Winner Animation Punk Award
  • Courage Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    November 21, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Pixel Vienna
    Vienna
    Austria
    November 7, 2024
    Austria Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography

Maria is a communication design student at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, with a diverse background as a freelance illustrator, graphic designer, and motion designer. "Wild Birds Fly" marks her debut as a filmmaker, an animated short film that showcases her deep passion for storytelling. Created as part of her animation class, this student project is a one-woman production, brought to life with no budget but fueled by dedication and love.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film is incredibly close to my heart. It’s a story that needs to be told, not just for me but for countless others whose voices go unheard. Homeless teenagers are often overlooked, cast aside by society, and burdened with a stigma that strips away their humanity. They're seen through a lens of judgment, rarely with empathy or understanding. With this film, I wanted to shift that perspective—to tell the story of a young person who went through hell and back, all alone. It's a journey of love, loss, resilience, and the punk spirit that helped him survive.

This project is dedicated to the memory of Nicole “Nikki” Schwenker (* 1979, † 1995), who tragically lost her life on the streets. Though she is no longer with us, her impact will not be forgotten, and this film is my way of ensuring that her spirit lives on.