Together with Berlinale, Berlinale Talents and Studio Babelsberg, CUPRA’s second short film contest empowers emerging filmmakers to bring their ideas to the big screen

• The selected film was The Zebra, by British writer and director Alfie Barker, who will see his project produced by CUPRA and have the opportunity to make a mark in the film industry
• The jury also awarded a Special Mention to Albanian filmmaker Renis Hyka, who will receive support in the production of his project Day One
• The winner was selected among six finalists and numerous outstanding projects submitted by directors from 15 countries across 3 continents

CUPRA has announced the winner of the second edition of The Dream Makers: Short Film Contest at the Berlin International Film Festival. This year’s contest, promoted by the brand, together with Berlinale, Berlinale Talents and Studio Babelsberg, was won by Alfie Barker who will now have the opportunity to produce his short film The Zebra and bring it to the big screen. The jury also awarded a Special Mention to the Day One project by Renis Hyka, who will receive support for the production of his project.

“Cinema is art in motion, capable of stirring emotions through unique stories, something we also strive for at CUPRA. The Dream Makers empowers a new generation of creative talent, giving them a platform to share their vision. We would like to acknowledge the outstanding quality of all candidates as well as the international reach of this edition. With submissions coming from 3 continents, this contest ignited ideas and connected creators across cultures, from the UK to Korea, from Iran to Peru.”

Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer at CUPRA

“The Berlinale and CUPRA share a strong commitment to the support of emerging talent. Counting on CUPRA not only as Principal Partner and mobility partner, but also as a driver for bold and visionary thinking through The Dream Makers helps to support the next generation of filmmakers, and we are excited to be part of it.”

Tricia Tuttle, Berlinale Director

After selecting a shortlist of six candidates from the current and former participants of Berlinale Talents and its Talents International initiatives, and a first mentoring session, the jury composed of Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer of CUPRA; acclaimed film director and CUPRA Ambassador J.A. Bayona; renowned Hollywood actor Daniel Brühl; Berlinale Director Tricia Tuttle, and Producer and Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures Managing Director Marcus Loges chose British writer and director Alfie Barker as the winner of the second edition of The Dream Makers. His proposal, The Zebra, is inspired by a true story, presenting how Andrew becomes so obsessed with zebras, that he manages to persuade his mum to keep a real one in their house.

“We have seen the great capacity of emerging filmmakers to develop their own stories throughout the contest, from the shortlist selection to the mentoring sessions. Choosing a single winner was a challenge, but Alfie’s project stood out for its brave, distinctive, and original perspective, which impressed and engaged the entire jury.”

Marcus Loges, Producer and Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures Managing Director

The jury also granted a Special Mention to the Albanian film director Renis Hyka for Day One (Dita e parë), the story of how a couple unable to have children faces the day they will finally become parents.

This year’s edition of The Dream Makers received numerous submissions from up-and-coming directors from 15 countries across 3 continents. In addition to Barker and Hyka, the finalists, who had the opportunity to review their proposals with the jury, were the following:

• I Promise You Fire (Te Prometo Fuego), by Francesca Canepa, from Peru.
• In a world swallowed by darkness, a teenage girl must ignite the last inner light of a fading humanity.
• Welcome, by Hanna Cho, from Korea.
• When Hwisu welcomes her family into her home, her sanctuary collapses into a patriarchal, grotesque illusion in this Korean family comedy horror.
• VAL-3, by Mihajlo Vitezović, from Serbia.
• A Yugoslav humanoid robot VAL-3, built to protect President Tito, rises from a state project to a beloved national icon, until human ignorance becomes his undoing.
• Break Light (Selahe Garm), by Soha Niasti, from Iran.

On a deserted night road with a stranger driver, a young woman confronts fear and power when her only remaining weapon is her body.

“This second edition of The Dream Makers demonstrates the hunger of the next generation to create their own language, style and narrative. Seeing their courage and desire to question the status quo and being able to accompany them in the creative process together with CUPRA, has been an inspiring journey”

J.A. Bayona, film director and CUPRA Ambassador

CUPRA and these emerging talents share the same energy: an unstoppable force of creative self-expression that has been represented by all the finalists.

“CUPRA’s ongoing commitment to cinema provides invaluable support to the industry. Empowering new generations now guarantees the stories of the future, and seeing the talent of the next generation shine has been an immensely satisfying experience.”

Daniel Brühl, actor and jury member

CUPRA keeps strengthening its connection to the world of cinema as Principal Partner and official mobility partner of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. Based on a shared vision on the importance of promoting cultural exchange and using the power of cinema to explore new narratives around sustainability and inclusion, the partnership brought CUPRA’s fleet of zero-emission vehicles to the red carpet by transporting guests of honour at the festival, as well as the teams to their respective premieres and events.