Synopsis

In an abandoned office building, investigator Sonya confronts Hans, a dangerous man who tries to legitimate his violence towards minors by claiming that being mentally disabled would let such horrible behaviour remain unpunished. As he grows increasingly unpredictable and threatening, Sonya carefully monitors him, trying to maintain control while anticipating his next move. Meanwhile, her colleague Roy arrives, revealing himself as equally predatory, having manipulated Hans for his own purposes and now intending to eliminate him. Sonya quickly uncovers Roy’s true intentions and arrives first, keeping him at bay. In the ensuing confrontation, Roy shoots Hans, but before Sonya can act further, the situation escalates into a tense standoff: she and Roy face each other, weapons drawn, as the scene cuts to black. 

Director's Statement

First I want to thank everybody at the UCLAxFilmFest 2026 for making this Event possible. It is a great sign towards young filmmakers around the world that both the craft and industry of filmmaking is still held high. A very important signal in these challenging times where more and more people are forced to turn their back on their dreams and ideas. Thanks to all of you for your persistence and ongoing dedication. Veiðar is a work sample of my approach to building tension and character in a crime story. It explores the mental balancing act of navigating unpredictable and dangerous people, while also capturing moments of dark absurdity in extreme situations. The final standoff freezes the scene in suspense, highlighting both the threat and the irony, leaving the outcome unresolved. The complete dialogue of the character Hans is taken verbatim from the monologue “Hans” from the Icelandic play And Björk, of Course by Thorvaldur Thorsteinsson, in the German translation by Kristof Magnusson. Many thanks to S. Fischer Verlage, Nordiska ApS, and the executor of Thorsteinsson’s estate to make it possible for me to create this movie. The final Icelandic title “Veiðar” was chosen as an insider word-play although clearly fitting the topic of the movie. But with one of its English translations “hunts”, also phonetically close to the Working Title (and Name of the Monologue) “Hans”. Regarding the technical / production-esque view of the film: The main intention for this short movie was to create a condensed climax of a feature film. Just like you would come home late, run into the living room, the TV is running, and you missed most of the film. We shot one scene per day plus an additional (Tech)rehearsal day. Everybody in the cast & crew was eager to show off all their skills. However, the film is more than just a “working probe” for everyone’s reel. Finally, I would like to sincerely thank the cast, entire crew and all partners and supporters for their dedication, creativity, and hard work — this film would not have been possible without your passion and collaboration. 

Crew & Cast

Johannes Hülsemann (Writer, Producer, Director) Johannes Hülsemann is a filmmaker and producer active in independent and student film productions since 2019. Under his artist name Karl Drescher, he has worked as an actor in film and television since 2018. In 2022, he founded DRESCHERDREH GmbH, a production company dedicated to film and related creative work, managing both the creative and logistical aspects of shooting. Combining creative storytelling with organizational expertise from his former background in Business Administration, Johannes excels at guiding projects from conception to completion while maintaining artistic vision. 

Frederic Eynck (Co-Producer) Frederic Eynck is a filmmaker and creative mind from the Ruhr area in Germany and former co-founder of the film production “Flowing Motion Studio” in Bochum. After meeting Johannes Hülsemann as the actor “Karl Drescher” for different student films and his senior thesis film “The Chosen”, Frederic worked as co-producer and in various other roles with Johannes on the short films “Napoleon”, “Bolzerbühne” and “Veiðar”. 

Simon Jakeman (Director of Photography) Simon was born in Rouen, France, moved to England at the age of ten, and has been living in Germany since 2008, where he later earned a bachelor’s degree in film and television with a focus on cinematography. He completed a master class with the American Society of Cinematographers in Los Angeles in 2019. Simon views the camera as a powerful tool for creating meaning, atmosphere, and emotional connection, which defines his motivation for working as a cinematographer. 

Tim Linke (Editor, Colorist) Tim grew up in Germany’s Ruhr region, surrounded by film sets and photo shoots, which shaped his early connection to visual storytelling. For over ten years, he has worked on narrative and commercial productions as well as sports and music broadcasts. In 2019, Tim directed his first award-winning short drama during his bachelor’s studies and later specialized in color grading and cinematography. 

Behind the Scenes