Dotdotdot short-film festival expands inclusion measures

Vienna’s Dotdotdot short-film festival is focusing on inclusion this year, with programmes addressing mental health, motherhood, queerness, dementia and neurodivergence, ORF reported. The open-air festival runs from September 12 to 23 in the park of Palais Auersperg.

The festival’s 11th edition features 80 films from Austria and more than 30 from other countries. It will return to the garden of the Volkskundemuseum Wien in summer 2027.

Films explore safety and different perspectives

Five short films will open the festival on Saturday under the programme title “In these moments I feel safe”. They explore the importance of mindfulness and closeness as part of society, rather than as marginal issues.

One of the films is “Alien” by Austrian filmmaker Sybille Bauer-Zierfuß, which examines a neurodivergent perspective. Bauer-Zierfuß is autistic herself and incorporates that experience into the film. The film uses humour and sensitivity to make the world of the filmmaker and its two main characters accessible to audiences.

The festival will also offer programmes for young children. Kikeriki, a short-film festival for children, is coming to Vienna for the second time. In October, children aged three and older will be able to attend workshops and watch short films at the Musisches Zentrum.

Accessibility and protected spaces

Dotdotdot is considered Austria’s first accessible film festival. Its programme includes films in international sign languages. Selected screenings will also have German subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, and festival discussions will be interpreted into Austrian Sign Language.

Inclusion is also reflected on screen, including through the cinema premiere of a documentary about Katrin Neudolt, an Austrian deaf badminton champion.

Festival founder Lisa Mai told ORF Vienna that deaf people should not only be represented but should also participate in making the films. “The artists have their own voice, and there is no reason why they should not tell their own stories themselves,” she said.

From 2026, the festival is placing a particular focus on creating a protected space, especially for neurodivergent people. This includes retreat areas across the Palais Auersperg park, where the festival is spread out. According to Mai, organisers will also provide a low-stimulation environment without music.

Visitors can choose how much they pay for tickets, and a number of free tickets will be available. The festival also has no requirement to buy refreshments, while all films offer English subtitles and the venue provides induction loops.