Andreas Kessler’s NAKAM is a film that shows the extremes the Jews had to go to during the Holocaust to save themselves. We follow the story of a young violinist with a dark secret. This timely short has qualified to be considered for the 95^th Academy® awards after winning the Best Live Action Short at the Cleveland International Film Festival. 

Violinist Mitka plays in a Ukrainian restaurant with pianist Yegor. Nobody knows that Mitka is part of a Jewish partisan movement. When an opportunity arises to execute an attack on SS officers in the restaurant, Mitka puts his only friend Yegor’s life at risk.

Director Andreas Kessler started making short films at the age of 14. His first short CAMOUFLAGE, a film on homophobia in the German army, was part of the official selection at Palm Springs Int. Short Fest,. his further credits include BLIND AUDITION  which was shortlisted for the student BAFTA and part of the TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL and SINKENDE SCHIFFE. His latest short film NAKAM is Andreas’ diploma film at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. It premiered at the 46th Cleveland International Film Festival where it won the Oscar ® -qualifying award for Best Live Action Short.

Max Breuer and Janick Gootz. Both started their production journey as students at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. They are co-producers on NAKAM along with German broadcaster SWR. 

The stunning cinematography was created by Leonard Caspari. 

This timely short has qualified to be considered for the 2023 Oscars®.