EXPERIENTIAL (Best Documentary / Portrait)

If I Am Not What You See - Kaiserschnitt Film GmbH - Various JPG
If I Am Not What You See - Kaiserschnitt Film GmbH - Various VIMEO 2m:42s

If I Am Not What You See - Various
Kaiserschnitt Film GmbH

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If I Am Not What You See - Various - Kaiserschnitt Film GmbH

Contender

Title of Piece: If I Am Not What You See
Brand: Various
Production Company: Kaiserschnitt Film GmbH
Client: Austrian Fashion Association
Agency: 979 Studio GmbH
Model(s): Hamdi ,Sasha, Yvan, Luna
Modelling Agency: CMS World
Director: Manuel Haring
Producer(s): Matthias Papst, Ella Guggenbichler
Editor: Manuel Haring
Director of Photography: Moritz Uthe
Creative Director: Manuel Haring
Costume Design: Johanna Bouvier
Hair & Makeup: Hanna Stantejsky, Parnia Sarraf
Music/Sound Design: Christoph Ertl
Casting Director: Kyra Sophie
Writer: Manuel Haring & Hieronymus Kloss
Props Stylist: Alexandros Girginer, Antonio Reinhart
Additional Credits: Gaffer: Oskar Ott, Ladislav Hudi, Bryan Huszar
Additional Credits: Directors Assistant: Alessandro Samuel Albrecht
Instagram Tag: @x_haring @979.studio @kaiserschnittfilm
Short Synopsis: A film about identity and participation created for the Austrian Fashion Awards 2023.

At the heart of the story is Hamdi, a deaf-mute model from Somalia, who stands as the film’s narrator, lending a voice that transcends words. This unique narrative choice gives power to someone traditionally outside the role of storyteller, challenging norms and celebrating inclusion in its purest form. Alongside Hamdi, co-stars Sasha, Luna, and Yvan navigate a journey from doubt to decision, from uncertainty to acceptance, evolving from back row to front row. The film unfolds as both a reflection on Austria's contemporary fashion scene and a statement piece on representation and belonging, featuring works by Christina Seewald, Petar Petrov, Martin Niklas Wieser, and Florentina Leitner.

Beyond its visual impact, this film’s true artistry lies in its casting: by giving the role of storyteller to one without a conventional voice, it redefines who we see as capable of narrating powerful stories. This isn’t simply a film about fashion but a bold commentary on identity and participation in every sense.
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