Women of Water
dance film by Editta Braun
AT 2025, 9:30 min.
Women of Water
AT 2025, 9:30 min.
Premiere 15 August at the Mexico City Videodance Festival 2025
directing, editing, choreography: Editta Braun
constructions, special effects: Menie Weissbacher
music: Thierry Zaboitzeff
with: Weng Teng Choi-Buttinger, Nikola Majtanova, Jerca Rožnik Novak
best cat: Malou
dramaturgy: Gerda Poschmann-Reichenau
lights: Thomas Hinterberger
tailoring: Cvetanka Mojsovska
distribution: Ulrike Hager
production: editta braun company, Studio Weissbacher
funded by BMWKMD, Stadt Salzburg, Land Salzburg, Weissbacher Studio
Breathtaking thanks to its unprecedented perspectives, this short film rewrites the story of creation from a purely female perspective, drawing inspiration from water. Against the dark night sky, the women seem to float away as if in space – resistance in times of resurgent patriarchy?
Director Biography – Editta Braun
* 1958 in Austria, pioneer of contemporary choreography in Austria. Academic degree in Science of Sports and German Language and Literature (University of Salzburg). Studied dance in Paris and New York, 40 years of teaching, including at the University of Salzburg and the Anton Bruckner Private University Linz. Has created more than 30 productions (physical theater, dance) and tours worldwide with her company. Has turned towards experimental short films since 2020. Characteristics: intercultural collaborations, politically engaged, feminist and ecological view on society and arts.
Filmography
LUVOS migrations, AT 2022
LUVOS migrations, short cut, AT 2025
Women of Water, AT 2025
Woman of Air, AT 2025
WOMEN, AT 2025
Awards for films and stage productions
1994 bronze medal at the New York Film Festival for „Collision“, category Non Broadcast Performing Arts, directed by Othmar Schmiderer
2001 prize for the best director at the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre
2014+2015 Heidelberger Theaterpreis
2014 International Prize for Arts and Culture by the City of Salzburg
2017 Great Prize for Performing Arts by the Region of Salzburg
2023 Cairo Breaking Walls Festival, Special Jury Award Music
2023 FlorenceDanceOnScreen, 3rd place of Best Overall Dance Film Winners
2023 Moving Body Festival in Varna / Bulgaria, Best Visual Language Award
2024 Sittannnavasal International Film Festival / India, Best Experimental Short Film
2024 Austrian Film Festival Vienna, Best Experimental Film
2025 Wilddogs International Screening Festival Calgary, 3rd Place
2025 Sittannnavasal International Film Festival / India, Best Women's Short Film
2025 Austrian Independent Film Festival Vienna Best Dance Film
2025 Premio Internazionale Public Jury Teresa Pomodora for the dance piece Hydráos in Milano, No'hma Teatro
Water is life. Women give life. The beginning quotes Michelangelo's narrative of the male creation story, the female bodies in foetal positions remind us that the female body gives life, the rush of water recalls the water that breaks at birth, breaking through. Finally, they are completely at one with themselves, completely together, and together they form the circle of life, which knows no end. A female creation myth.
A special transparent platform was constructed for the film, allowing the three dancers to be viewed from below. The world is turned upside down. Distances appear shifted, lines of sight distorted. The close-up from the side complements the unusual view from below, the bodies are reflected on the glass floor, limbs seem to double.
Carried by Thierry Zaboitzeff's wonderful sounds and tones, breathtaking with its unprecedented perspectives, the film writes a new, purely female creation story from the water.
AWARDS
2025 Wilddogs International Screening Festival Calgary, 3rd Place
Canada
2025 Sittannnavasal International Film Festival / India, Best Women's Short Film
India
2025 Austrian Independent Film Festival Vienna Best Dance Film
Austria
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Mexico City - Mexico City Videodance Festival, Casa de la Paz, premiere, 15 August 25
London - WOFF, Women Over 50 Film Festival, 5 September 25
Mykonos / Greece - Mykonos Biennale, 25 - 30 September 25
Calgary / Canada - Wild Dogs International Screendance Festival, 4 October 25
Vienna - 16th Austrian Independant Filmfestival, Schikanederkino, 10 October 25
London - London International Screendance Festival, 16 October 25
Linz - tanzhafenfestival 2025 - 18 October 25
Rosario / Argentina - Festival Internacional de Videodanza Rosario, 25 October 25
Salzburg - new dance films of e b c , Das Kino, 28 October
Karaiyur / India - Sittannavasal International Film Festival, 30 October 25
Pozzuoli / Italy - IMMAGI]NA Film Festival, 4 November25
Graz - Dance ON Screen, Kunsthaus Graz, 14 November 25
Salzburg - new dance films of e b c , Das Kino, 24 November 25
Lisbon - Women of Water - Inshadow, 11 November - 19 December 25