In collaboration with the Crous Clermont Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand, the STWNO organizes two-year exchange programs for students. From March 9 to 14, 2026, during the Regensburg International Short Film Week ("Regensburger Kurzfilmwoche"), German and French students met in Regensburg to create a short film together under the professional guidance of a workshop leader from Clermont-Ferrand. In 2027, the group will meet again in Clermont-Ferrand for a return visit. A look back.

Launch of the project with an ambitious timeline

Is it possible to make a short film in four days? “Yes, although it’s going to be very tight,” says Jérémy Laurichesse, who has already led his “72 H film project” workshop at the Crous Clermont Auvergne. But would the workshop also work in Germany with a group of students from different majors who don’t know each other? The students came from a variety of fields: They were studying not only media or art studies, but also business psychology, biology, music, social work, and computer science. Their prior knowledge of film production also varied widely.

The challenge at the start of the exchange week therefore seemed daunting. And time was tight. So the students wasted no time and, after a brief round of introductions and two icebreaker games, got right to work on the project.

The twelve students in total - six from France and six from Germany - were divided into three groups to develop screenplay drafts. But that wasn’t all: this was followed by a pitch of the drafts, questions from the group, the selection of one of the presented film ideas, a new division into groups to work on the screenplay, shot list, and post-production, as well as a casting call among the students to select the lead roles. After a difficult decision, a consensus was finally reached on a German-French couple.

German-French friendship in action

The short timeframe leading up to the completion of the short film required close collaboration from the very beginning. Everyone’s openness and their shared commitment to a common goal quickly brought the students together. And more than that: the group became a close-knit community of friends, where language barriers and cultural differences were not obstacles but rather a source of enrichment. The exchange thus quickly evolved into a living example of Franco-German friendship.

Filming in a historic setting

In addition to making the film, there was also time to get to know each other better through group activities - some of which were unrelated to the upcoming shoot, while others were planned with it in mind. On the very first day of the project, a guided tour of Regensburg provided ideas for filming locations. As a result, the Old Town served as the backdrop for several scenes in the days that followed. The students also incorporated Regensburg cafés into the project. The owners were all helpful, though sometimes the location wasn’t suitable (too much noise or poor lighting for filming). Selecting suitable filming locations offered the Regensburg students, in particular, a whole new perspective on “their” city.

On set, the students found themselves in entirely new roles. They rotated through the roles so that almost everyone could try their hand at every task: setup, sound recording, camera work, directing, clapperboard, and so on. The group quickly realized just how much work goes into a film shoot. It also quickly became clear that the short film could only be completed in such a short time if everyone communicated well with one another and didn’t lose sight of their shared goal. Fortunately, the shoot went quickly and successfully. Often, only a few takes of a scene needed to be recorded. This left time to expand the filming locations and visit the Walhalla in Donaustauf in addition to Regensburg. The sunny outing was a welcome treat for everyone.

Exchange Topic: Film – Within and Beyond the Project Work

The exchange was all about film. Alix, who is completing a voluntary social service year in the cultural department of the Crous Clermont Auvergne, took on a second film project: she filmed the students’ daily lives and conducted interviews to create a making-of video.

And it was no coincidence that the exchange took place during the Regensburg International Short Film Week. Over the course of two evenings, the group attended short film screenings at cinemas in Regensburg’s Old Town. Perhaps the short film they made together will one day make it into the festival program.

Final Day: Voice-over, film editing, and presentation of the project

Filming was followed by post-production: Fortunately, STWNO has a professionally equipped media studio with an editing suite and a sound studio for recording voice-overs. Musically talented students from the group also composed their own film score, featuring lyrics, electric bass, vocals, and piano.

Working under intense pressure, the students finally completed their short film. All that remains is the final editing by a professional, and then the result can be presented to the public. STWNO staff members already got a first glimpse of the finished film during a “workshop visit.” Those present were thrilled by the quality of the short film. Bravo!

 

With so much work to do, time flew by, and so, after six long days, the guests from France left Regensburg to begin their journey home to Clermont-Ferrand with a touch of sadness. There is already great anticipation for the reunion in Clermont-Ferrand in 2027. Feedback from the German group aptly sums up the week (translated into English): “It was truly one of the best weeks I’ve had in a long time. A real enrichment. And I’m extremely looking forward to the trip to Clermont-Ferrand. The French exchange students are super nice and funny.”

Finally, we would like to thank the Franco-German Youth Office, whose financial support made both exchange programs possible (more information on the Franco-German Youth Office).

The result of all that hard work: “Leur dernière danse”

After the final edit was completed, the short film was ready as early as April 2026. The first public screening took place in the Salle des frères-Lumière at the Crous in Clermont-Ferrand.

You can watch the finished film here:

And you can get a glimpse into the film’s production process in this making-of video: