Private Project

Malou

Inspired by true events: The young outcasted dancer Malou is irresistibly fighting for her dream of a career on the big stage. After years of struggle and rejection, she suddenly receives her once in a lifetime chance – leading up to an unexpected reveal…

  • Adi Wojaczek
    Director
    The Wall, Luca, It gets better
  • Adi Wojaczek
    Writer
    The Wall, Luca, It gets better
  • Patrick Mölleken
    Producer
    The Last Supper, The Wall, Luca, It gets better
  • Veronica Ferres
    Key Cast
    "Regina Vollmer"
    Salt and Fire, Schtonk, Dreamland
  • Romina Küper
    Key Cast
    "Malou"
    Um Himmels Willen, Deine Farbe, Peng!
  • Charles Rettinghaus
    Key Cast
    "Prof. Josef Berns"
    Grindlwald, Wächter der Spieluhr, Wishlist
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Malou
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Social Drama, Diversity, Disability, Social Justice, Dance, Woman, Women, Coming of Age, Female Hero, Discrimination
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 20, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany
  • Language:
    German
  • Shooting Format:
    ARRIRAW (Digital)
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2,39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 21st Newport Beach Film Festival 2020
    Newport Beach, Orange County
    United States
    Official Selection
  • 7th Annual NoHo Cinefest 2020
    North Hollywood, California
    United States
    Official Selection
  • 31. Internationales Filmfest Emden-Norderney 2020
    Emden
    Germany
    Official Selection
  • 1st Filmoramax International Film Festival 2020
    Lyon
    France
    Official Selection
  • 12th Go Short - International Short Film Festival Nijmegen 2020
    Nijmegen
    Netherlands
    Official Selection
  • 44th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) 2020
    Cleveland, Ohio
    United States
    March 25, 2020
    Official Selection
  • 26. Internationale Kurzfilmwoche Regensburg 2020
    Regensburg
    Germany
    Official Selection
  • In Consideration for 92nd Academy Awards 2020
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    October 29, 2020
    Longlist: "Best Live Action Short Film"
  • 10th Awareness Film Festival 2019
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    October 10, 2019
    Official Selection
  • 22nd MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival 2019
    New York City, New York
    United States
    September 26, 2019
    Finalist
  • 15th Holly Shorts Film Festival 2019
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    August 14, 2019
    Official Selection (Work in Progress)
  • 23rd LA Shorts International Film Festival 2019
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    July 19, 2019
    World Premiere
    Official Selection (Work in Progress)
Director Biography - Adi Wojaczek

Adi Wojaczek was born on 8th of April 1983 in Upper Silesia (Poland) and moved with his family to Düsseldorf (Germany) in 1987.

From 2008 to 2012 he studied film direction at the Ruhrakademie Schwerte and managed to win several awards for national video competitions.

His biggest success by then was winning »Best Film« at the »99FireFilmsAward« during the Berlin International Film Festival 2015 with a 99-second short film.
The same year he created the ad »Sodastream: Zombies« which aired a few months in Germany and several countries in Europe.

In 2016 has started the cooperation with producer Patrick Mölleken.
Their joint East German spy short film drama »Die Mauer« (»The Wall« qualified for the 89th Academy Awards 2017. Their transgender drama »Luca« managed to repeat that result in the following year – as well as their biggest success by then: The award-winning cyber bullying short film drama »It Gets Better«, in which Austrian Film Award winner Ursula Strauss embodies a single mom fighting for her despaired son's rights, when a tragic calamity occurs...
Among others, the film won »Best Drama« at the 22nd LA Shorts International Film Festival 2018, as well as the »Engelke Short Film Award« at the 30th International Filmfestival Emden.

In 2019 the new disability short film drama »Malou« was realised starring Romina Küper, Veronica Ferres and Charles Rettinghaus.
Inspired by true evens, the film tells the story of a young discriminated dancer who suddenly receives the once in a lifetime chance to audition for her long cherished dream of a career on the big stage – with an unexpected reveal.
The film celebrated its world premiere at the 23rd LA Shorts International Film Festival 2019. By being selected as a 22nd Manhattan Short Film Festival's finalist 2019, »Malou« qualified for the 92nd Academy Awards 2020 and finally achieved a longlisting.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Follow your dreams, no matter what – even if you're a one-legged dancer.
To inspire others is our ultimate goal and reflected in every work we've done so far. When you see people with disabilities, the first thing that comes to mind is: "How do they cope in life?". Malou shows that you can achieve a lot with inner strength and willpower.

With the aid of our short film's story, our prominent cast and dramaturgic tools we intent to sensitize our audience, to take a stand for disabled people and embolden them to have the courage to pursue their dreams. We want to turn the public spotlight on the still unequal opportunities of our handicapped fellows in order to start a constructive discussion about inclusion and hopefully to contribute to a better situation.

© 2020 Adi Wojaczek (Director) & Patrick Mölleken (Producer)