TAXIFILMFEST

Taxi Warren

Redaktion — 2026-09-13T19:24:37Z

Resume

Following obtaining a school loan, Jimmy invests in Abidjan's municipal transport (Warren) to aspire to a better life, without worrying about the risks associated with this activity.

Directed by

ASSI GILBERT PHILIPPE OHOUOT
Submitted by

Assi O.

oassi7@gmail.com
+225070-710-2801
01 BP 2064 ABIDJAN 01
225
Côte d'Ivoire
February 2, 1979
Age 47
Male

Country of Origin

Côte d'Ivoire
Submission Date

December 29, 2025
Tracking Number

TXFF3842
Logs

Klaus Meier updated Judging Status from Undecided to Selected
Aug 30

Klaus Meier added flag Green
Feb 11
Runtime

02:16:00
Category
Long fiction
Regular Deadline
Standard Fee: €0.00

Director Biography - ASSI GILBERT PHILIPPE OHOUOT

FILMOGRAPHIE
2025 // AMLAN
2025 // LA COACH
2024// LA CI CONSTRUIT SA CAN
2023 // TAXI WARREN
2020 // LE SYNDICAT DE NOUKA
2019 // LE PROJET
2017 // NOTE D'ESPOIR

O.Assi by his full name OHOUOT ASSI GILBERT PHILIPPE is an Ivorian producer and director with a professional Master's degree in Performing Arts, Audiovisual Production and Cinema option, obtained at the UFR Information, Communication and Arts from Félix Houphouet-Boigny University of Cocody in Abidjan, He is also the Managing Director of INCRUST since 2013, he is married and father of 02 children O.Assi has his assets 02 Documentaries: School and the digital revolution (produced in 2016) Note d'Espoir (produced in 2017) / 02 TV series: The Project (produced in 2019 in Co-production with RTI); Le Syndicat de Nouka (produced in Co-production with RTI in 2020) And several other successful TV content such as The School of Poets, Miss Tips, Warren the short series and Habitat à la Une, TAXI Warren in 2023

Director Statement

A popular means of transport in Abidjan, the Ivorian economic capital, Warren taxis are municipal and collective taxis at a fixed price that serve a regular line. It is therefore no secret that success in the urban transport sector is possible but it is sometimes complicated. Profitability exists, the risk is not to be neglected. Many people have ventured into it but have not had the desired return on investment. Indeed, for many, the transport adventure quickly turned into a nightmare. Between breakdowns, accidents, unions and other hassles, the entrepreneur no longer finds himself. He even struggles to recover even the capital he has invested; such is the case of Jimmy, a young Ivorian who is a palpable example. For Jimmy, the transport sector is a way to multiply his income and provide the best for his family. He therefore does not hesitate to buy a Warren taxi at the end of a school loan granted by the bank. He expects to earn a little more money right away, but unfortunately, like many people who get involved too early without prior investigations and market studies to measure the risks and contours of such a business, his dream turns into a nightmare. "Taxi Warren" is a poignant drama that explores the consequences of financial choices on the lives of individuals and those around them. The film will offer an authentic immersion in the city of Abidjan and will be carried by a cast of talented local actors. The dark, realistic tone of the film will be enhanced by a soundtrack of African music. “Taxi Warren” therefore comes both in a humorous and dramatic tone to highlight the urgency and the need to organize a growing business sector that attracts a lot of foxes; because in the midst of all this, our populations need to move to work, go to school, to the hospital and to live.

Credits

ASSI GILBERT PHILIPPE OHOUOT
Director
ASSI GILEBRT PHILIPPE OHOUOT
Writer
MARINA YILE BLON
Writer
ASSI GILBERT OHOUOTAX
Producer
AXEL TRESOR GBALLOU
Key Cast
"Jimmy"
YAPO VIATEUR ABOU
Key Cast
"Petit Moussa"
BEN BRAHIMA KONE
Key Cast
"ZAO"
GUY OLIVIER BAILLY GUIGRAHI
Key Cast
"Dragon"

Specifications

Project Title (Original Language):
TAXI WARREN
Project Type:
Feature
Runtime:
2 hours 16 minutes
Completion Date:
March 31, 2023
Production Budget:
80,000 USD
Country of Origin:
Côte d'Ivoire
Country of Filming:
Côte d'Ivoire
Language:
French
Shooting Format:
Digital Ursa 12K
Film Color:
Color
First-time Filmmaker:
No
Student Project:
No
Digital Cinema Package:
Unavailable

Online ansehen : https://filmfreeway.com/submissions...

¡TAXI!

Admin — 2026-09-13T19:24:23Z

Overview

A 1980s Manhattan cab driver, host to an ever-changing cast of characters, reminisces a time when he drove a director to a film set and landed an acting gig.

Director Biography - Pamela Restrepo

Pamela Restrepo is the director of ¡TAXI!. She is a story artist from Atlanta, Georgia, with a proud Colombian heritage. While studying Story and Concept Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Pamela works with genres ranging from light comedy to dark horror. She enjoys sharing stories of many perspectives while mixing genres to create unique worlds like ¡TAXI! for people to enjoy.

Director Statement

This films comes from all the memories I share with people like my father: hardworking people who make the foundation of our society. This film is a "thank you" to all of our loved ones, colleagues, and people to work together to make our days bearable.

Credits

Pamela Restrepo
Director
Arthur Xiong
Production Manager
Lucy Adelizzi
Production Consultant
Pavitra Kansal
Production Assistants
Terra Smith
Production Assistants
Kaz Montero
Art Director
Jessica Ambadipudi
Concept Leads
Grace Martin
Concept Leads
Khanh Nguyen Hoang
3D/Technical Director
Andres Gossmann
Character Design Lead
Jannah Annan Manneh
Animation Directors
Faith Campbell
2D Animation Lead
Chris London
2D Animation Lead
Isabella Perlee
Modeler
Camryn Holder
Modeler
David Spencer
Modeler
Tam "Tammy" Lee
Modeler
Khanh Nguyen Hoang
Modeler
Angela Mauvezin-Quiroga
Concept Artists
Briana Jones
Concept Artists
Allison Witzmann
Concept Artists
Han Lee
Concept Artists
Vanthy Vu
Concept Artists
Xanili Rose
Concept Artists
Marleigh Peden
Concept Artists
Jessica Ambadipudi
Concept Artists
Riley S. Quinn
Concept Artists
Florence Wu
Color Script Consultant
Pamela Restrepo
Background Artists
Jessica Ambadipudi
Background Artists
Grace Martin
Background Artists
Allison Witzmann
Background Artists
Han Lee
Background Artists
Amy Cheng
Background Artists
Doni Dock
Background Artists
Joanna Nhema
Background Artists
Quincy McClellan
Background Artists
Vanthy Vu
Background Artists
Jennifer Garcia
Background Artists
Xanili Rose
Background Artists
Brina Hyunh
Background Artists
Josh Mizrahi
Background Artists
Marleigh Peden
Background Artists
Isabella Perlee
Background Artists
Panzu Mavinga
Background Artists
Koda Moore
Background Artists
Isabella Lee King
Background Artists
Rose Alicea
Background Artists
Mark Boone
Background Artists
Richard Zhao
Background Artists
Kaz Montero
Background Artists
Alex Villalpando
Background Artists
Lucy Adelizzi
Background Colorists
Jessica Ambadipudi
Background Colorists
Grace Martin
Background Colorists
Isabella Perlee
Background Colorists
Dani Dock
Background Colorists
Rose Alicea
Background Colorists
Alex Villalpando
Background Colorists
Vanthy Vu
Background Colorists
Isabella Lee King
Background Colorists
Mark Boone
Background Colorists
Xanili Rose
Background Colorists
Panzu Mavinga
Background Colorists
Allison Witzmann
Background Colorists
Lisa Pringle
Additional BG
Camryn Woxland
Additional BG
Jessica Ambadipudi
Character Designer
Angela Mauvezin–Quiroga
Character Designer
Briana Jones
Character Designer
Jennifer Garcia
Character Designer
Riley S. Quinn
Character Designer
Marleigh Peden
Character Designer
Pavida Changkaew
Character Designer
Diana Grant
Character Designer
Gabrielle Williams
Character Designer
Michael C. McGhee
Character Designer
Isabella Lee King
Character Designer
Jessica Ambadipudi
Prop Artists
Han Lee
Prop Artists
Jennifer Garcia
Prop Artists
Anuja Jumde
Prop Artists
Kat Hawkes
Prop Artists
Isabella Perlee
Prop Artists
Taylor Evans
Prop Artists
Aranxa Campos
Prop Artists
Luis Ponce Piñon
Character Layouts
Jennifer Garcia
Character Layouts
Raven Campilan
Character Layouts
Paul Robertson
Character Layouts
Kaz Montero
Character Layouts
Annelise Coello
Character Layouts
Briana Jones
Character Layouts
Grace Martin
Character Layouts
Alex Villalpando
Character Layouts
Samuel Kem
Character Layouts
Davia Williams
Character Layouts
Riley S. Quinn
Character Layouts
Terra Smith
Rough-Key Animators
Kaz Montero
Rough-Key Animators
Briana Jones
Rough-Key Animators
Quincy McClellan
Rough-Key Animators
Jennifer Garcia
Rough-Key Animators
Davia Williams
Rough-Key Animators
Alex Villalpando
Rough-Key Animators
Yu-Fong Chen
Rough-Key Animators
Raven Campilan
Rough-Key Animators
Christian Inmon
Rough-Key Animators
Paul Robertson
Rough-Key Animators
Annelise Coello
Rough-Key Animators
Anthony Comito
Rough-Key Animators
Carter Martin
Rough-Key Animators
Sammy Liu
Rough-Key Animators
MeiQianZi Liu
Rough-Key Animators
Harry Barnes
Rough-Key Animators
Jenny Park
Rough-Key Animators
Tania McCrary
Rough-Key Animators
Jonatan Martinez
Rough-Key Animators
Nasir Morrison
Rough-Key Animators
Chris London
Rough-Key Animators
Faith Campbell
Rough-Key Animators
Mark Boone
Rough-Key Animators
Harry Barnes
In-Betweener
Terra Smith
In-Betweener
Nasir Morrison
In-Betweener
Mark Boone
In-Betweener
Tania McCrary
In-Betweener
Quincy McClellan
In-Betweener
Florence Wu
In-Betweener
Esther Kuti
In-Betweener
Aryaan Patel
In-Betweener
Gabrielle Williams
In-Betweener
Carter Martin
Cleanup-Artist
Brooke Murphy
Cleanup-Artist
Aryaan Patel
Cleanup-Artist
Kaz Montero
Cleanup-Artist
Harry Barnes
Cleanup-Artist
Arthur Xiong
Cleanup-Artist
Gabrielle Williams
Cleanup-Artist
Alex Villalpando
Cleanup-Artist
Jonatan Martinez
Cleanup-Artist
Pamela Restrepo
Cleanup-Artist
Florence Wu
Cleanup-Artist
Jaylin Smith
Cleanup-Artist
John Thompson
Colors and Shadows
Derrick Yeboah
Colors and Shadows
Nasir Morrison
Colors and Shadows
Eugene Park
Colors and Shadows
Zeynep Ciger
Colors and Shadows
Esther Kuti
Colors and Shadows
Jonatan Martinez
Colors and Shadows
Jacolbi Hinton
Colors and Shadows
Ernesto Serna
Colors and Shadows
Ren Ludlow
Colors and Shadows
Pamela Restrepo
Colors and Shadows
Aarti Damania
Colors and Shadows
Lucas Pennell
Colors and Shadows
Gabrielle Williams
FX Animators
Alex Villalpando
FX Animators
Leo Dave
FX Animators
Dejay Pena
Compositors
Zeynep Ciger
Compositors
Clara Seymour
Compositors
Gabrielle Williams
Compositors
Ruben Restrepo
Voice Actors
Zoe Kerpics
Voice Actors
Jake Williams
Score
Avery Shields
Sound Designer
Ernesto Serna
Musician

Specifications

Project Type:
Animation, Short, Student
Genres:
comedy, slice-of-life, biography
Runtime:
2 minutes 35 seconds
Completion Date:
October 21, 2024
Production Budget:
6,000 USD
Country of Origin:
United States
Country of Filming:
United States
Language:
Spanish
Aspect Ratio:
16:9
Film Color:
Color
First-time Filmmaker:
Yes
Student Project:
Yes - Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Campus
Digital Cinema Package:
Unavailable

Online ansehen : https://filmfreeway.com/submissions...

A Taxi Ride in Fall

Redaktion — 2026-09-13T19:24:04Z

Overview

The story follows a seasoned taxi driver who unexpectedly crosses paths with his first great love. Together, they drift through memories of the time they once shared. But when he finally drops her off at a hospice, their lives part ways once more—this time for good.

Haunted by doubts about his choices and the meaning of his existence, he wrestles with his thoughts, only finding release when the next passenger calls for him.

A tale of regret over past decisions and the absurd unpredictability of life.

Director Biography - Johannes Wilczek

Born in 1999 in Bavaria, Johannes Wilczek moved to Berlin in 2023 where he was taught directing by Rosa von Praunheim. In March 2026 he won "best director" for his short film "A Taxi Ride in Fall" at the Berlin Indie Film Festival.

Credits

Johannes Wilczek
Director
Johannes Wilczek
Writer
Johannes Wilczek
Producer
Lukas Gäßler
Producer
Christofer von Beau
Key Cast
Joana Rueffer
Key Cast
Nele Noemi Kuppens
Key Cast
Luca Manuel Krebs Mbiene
Key Cast
Mattis Schulte
Director of Photography
Patrick Grzybowski
Music
Elias Schröter
Music

Specifications

Project Title (Original Language):
Herbst im Taxi
Project Type:
Short, Student
Runtime:
10 minutes
Completion Date:
July 31, 2024
Country of Origin:
Germany
Country of Filming:
Germany
Language:
German
Shooting Format:
Digital
Aspect Ratio:
2,39:1
Film Color:
Color
First-time Filmmaker:
Yes
Student Project:
Yes - /
Digital Cinema Package:
Unavailable

Screenings / Awards

Berlin Indie Film Festival
Berlin
Germany
Award
Best Director - Short Film
Berlin Kiez Film Festival
Berlin
Germany
Best Actor - Short Film
iDEAL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Sillod
India
Best Original Score
Berlin Indie Shorts Festival
Berlin
Germany
May 19, 2026
World Premiere
Honorable Mention - Best Debut Short Film
East Village New York Film Festival
New York
United States
Honorable Mention - Original Score
Montpellier Independent Film Festival
Montpellier
France
Honorable Mention - Best Short Film (INTERNATIONAL)
Berlin Short Film Festival
Berlin
Germany
July 17, 2026

Online ansehen : https://filmfreeway.com/submissions...

Una simple taxista

Redaktion — 2026-09-13T19:23:45Z

Overview

Iris, a female taxi driver from the province of Colón, struggles and suffers in a sexist society that believes only men can work as taxi drivers; she breaks this sexist mould to become an entrepreneur, helping her children and other women.
Director's Biography – Henry González

Henry J. González G. was born in the Republic of Panama on 26 June 1998, in the city of Colón, located on the Caribbean coast of the country.

He currently holds a Bachelor's degree in Digital Graphic Production for Television from the Universidad Latina de Panamá.
He is in his fourth year at the National University of Panama, studying for a Bachelor's degree in Film, Radio and Television Direction and Production.

To date, he has produced five documentaries and four fiction films, taking on roles such as director, screenwriter, editor and actor.

These productions have been screened at around ten national and international film festivals.
Notably: Panama, the United States, Guatemala, Mexico, Chile and France.
Director's Statement

This project is very important to me because it tells the story of someone very close to me.

I must thank Sergio Castro, the film's producer and photographer. Thank you for believing in the project right from the outset.

Credits

Director: Henry González
Writer: Henry González
Producer: Sergio Castro
Editing: Henry González
Sound and Music: Sergio Castro
Key Cast: Henry González

Specifications

Project Title (Original Language): UNA SIMPLE TAXISTA
Runtime: 5 minutes
Completion Date: 22 September 2022
Production Budget: 200 USD
Country of Origin: Panama
Language: Spanish
Student Project: Yes

Screenings / Awards

GECU SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Panama
Panama
16 September 2022
National Premiere
BEST DOCUMENTARY

PANALANDIA FILM FESTIVAL
Colón
Panama
26 January 2023
National Premiere
BEST DOCUMENTARY

Online ansehen : https://filmfreeway.com/submissions...

Taxi Chronicles

Admin — 2026-09-13T19:23:29Z

Overview

On a cold Halloween night in Edmonton, Abel, a middle-aged immigrant rideshare driver from Kerala, begins what seems like another ordinary shift. As the city empties and the rain-soaked streets grow quieter, a series of strangers enter his car—a wealthy businessman, a social media influencer, a lonely groom, a racist drunk, a corrupt philanthropist, a conflicted priest, and others—each carrying their own secrets, regrets, and moral contradictions.

From the silence of the driver's seat, Abel listens as his passengers reveal fragments of ambition, envy, anger, desire, loneliness, and guilt. What begins as a collection of disconnected encounters gradually transforms into a deeper meditation on the hidden struggles people carry behind carefully constructed identities.

As the night unfolds, Abel's calm presence begins to reveal its own quiet sorrow. Beneath every ride lies a man haunted by a personal tragedy, searching for redemption in the simple act of helping strangers find their way home.
Director Biography - Vishnu Rajan

Vishnu Rajan is an Indian-Canadian filmmaker, writer, and producer originally from Kerala, India, and currently based in Canada. His work explores human relationships, morality, identity, and the emotional complexities of immigrant life, often blending realism with philosophical storytelling.

He began his filmmaking journey with the short film Vali – The Fart (2020), which he wrote and directed, followed by Red Wine (2021). As a producer, he has been associated with acclaimed Malayalam films including The Great Indian Kitchen, Freedom Fight, Purusha Pretham, and Sree Dhanya Catering Service. His work on The Great Indian Kitchen contributed to its recognition, including a Kerala State Award.Currently based in Canada, Vishnu continues to develop stories that bridge cultures and challenge audiences through intimate, character-driven cinema. His latest film, Taxi, marks a deeply personal exploration of guilt, redemption, and the hidden moral struggles of modern life.
Director Statement

I have always been fascinated by the lives we briefly encounter but never truly know. As immigrants, as travelers, and as strangers in modern cities, we often pass through each other's lives in silence, carrying private wounds, guilt, desires, and contradictions that remain unseen. Taxi Chronicles was born from that curiosity.

Set over a single Halloween night in Edmonton, the film uses the confined space of a car as both a physical setting and a moral landscape. Each passenger Abel encounters represents a different reflection of human weakness—pride, greed, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and spiritual emptiness. Beneath their conversations about money,identity, loneliness, technology, love, and faith lies a deeper question: What does it mean to live with the consequences of our choices?

At the center of the film is Abel, an immigrant driver from Kerala who listens more than he speaks. Through the stories of strangers, he quietly confronts his own grief and guilt. For me, Abel is not simply a driver—he is a witness, a confessor, and a man searching for redemption in the ordinary act of helping others get home safely.

I chose to tell this story almost entirely from the dashcam perspective because I wanted the audience to feel like silent passengers themselves—observing, judging, empathizing, and perhaps recognizing parts of themselves in these encounters. The camera never escapes the car, because Abel himself cannot escape his past.

As a filmmaker living between cultures, I am deeply drawn to stories about displacement, morality, and the hidden emotional lives of ordinary people. Taxi Chronicles is both an intimate character study and a meditation on guilt, grace, and the possibility of redemption in a fractured modern world.

— Vishnu Rajan

Credits

Director: Vishnu Rajan
Writer: Vishnu Rajan, Sudheesh Scaria
Producer: Vishnu Rajan, Sudheesh Scaria
Key Cast: "Abel"

Specifications

Project Type: Experimental, Feature
Runtime:1 hour 12 minutes
Completion Date: November 30, 2025
Production Budget: 10,000 USD
Country of Origin: Canada
Country of Filming: Canada
Language: English
Shooting Format: Digital
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Film Color: Color
First-time Filmmaker: Yes
Student Project: No

Online ansehen : https://filmfreeway.com/submissions...

She steers the Night

Redaktion — 2026-09-13T19:23:15Z

In the documentary ‘Zij stuurt de Nacht' we follow two female taxi drivers over the course of a single night: Jeanet Jager, one of the few women working as a driver on Rotterdam's Coolsingel, and Ellen van den Brink, who drives night shifts in Amsterdam.

In cities where the night never stands still, they navigate a world dominated by men. Throughout their shifts, all kinds of passengers climb into their taxis: lost tourists, intoxicated partypeople, and young women trying to get home safely. While they work to protect others, they are also confronted with the risks that come with working at night.

Because in the confined space of a taxi, the atmosphere can change in an instant. Jeanet was severely assaulted in the past, and Ellen stays in constant contact with her husband during her shifts as an extra safety measure.

How can they help keep other women safe at night without putting themselves in danger?

Credits

Director: Vos Vissers, Yula Bello
Writer: Vos Vissers, Yula Bello
Producer: Vos Vissers, Yula Bello

Specifications

Project Title (Original Language): Zij stuurt de Nacht
Project Type: Documentary
Runtime: 22 minutes 47 seconds
Completion Date: June 11, 2026
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Country of Filming: Netherlands
Language: Dutch
Shooting Format: ProRes
Aspect Ratio: 3840 × 2160
Film Color: Color
First-time Filmmaker: Yes
Student Project: Yes - Hogeschool Utrecht
Digital Cinema Package: Available

Cover Letter

We made this movie out of a personal interest. One of the makers of the film has two parents who were both taxi drivers and met each other in this profession. One year ago something terrible happend in The Netherlands. A girl called Lisa was murdered while driving her bike home after a night out in Amsterdam. This story woke up a big conversation in our country about female safety. Thats why we wanted to make this film. To focus on female safety and how other women can help each other out. And especially these two women in our movie. Of all the taxi drivers in our country only 2% of them are female. That's a very low number. We hope to show this movie to people who already acknowledge the problem but also to people that maybe don't. And by watching this film see what is really going on.

Documentary film ‘She Steers the Night' about female taxi drivers, source:
https://www.taxipro.nl/straattaxi/2026/08/18/documentairefilm-zij-stuurt-de-nacht-over-vrouwelijke-chauffeurs-wordt-vertoond-op-taxi-expo-2026-primeur-voor-de-branche/

Published on 18 August 2026, by Peter Runhaar

Documentary makers Yula Bello and Vos Vissers have made the film ‘She Drives the Night', in which they follow two female taxi drivers who work at night in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. With this film, the makers aim to draw attention to women's safety at night and the role that female drivers play in this. We will be screening the film at TaxiExpo on 15 October – a first for the industry! Yula and Vos, along with one of the drivers featured in the film, will be in attendance to discuss the subject and share their experiences.

In their film ‘Zij stuurt de Nacht', documentary filmmakers Yula Bello and Vos Vissers follow two female taxi drivers who work night shifts in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Through the film, the filmmakers aim to raise awareness of women's safety at night and the role that female drivers play in this.

The documentary centres on Jeanet Jager and Ellen van den Brink. Female taxi drivers are very much in the minority in the industry, which consists of 98 per cent men. Jeanet is the only female driver on Coolsingel in Rotterdam, whilst Ellen works night shifts in Amsterdam. During their shifts, they encounter a wide variety of passengers: from lost tourists and drunken revellers to young women who want to get home safely. Drawing on their own experiences of feeling unsafe, they often take on a protective role for female passengers.
More relevant than ever

According to Yula and Vos, women's safety is more relevant than ever: “Stories of femicide, sexual assault and violence against women mean that many women feel unsafe on the streets at night. At the same time, people are increasingly looking for solutions. For example, the taxi service Bolt recently announced a feature allowing female passengers to choose a female driver.”

With ‘She Drives the Night', the filmmakers aim to show how a small group of female taxi drivers are trying to make a difference for women who rely on night-time transport. The documentary therefore focuses not only on the work of Ellen and Jeanet, but also on the wider discussion about women's safety in public life and during the night-time hours.

Online ansehen : https://filmfreeway.com/submissions...

Taxi Tales

Admin — 2026-09-13T19:22:57Z

TAXI TALES weaves together the journeys of three Berlin taxi drivers: Anna Maria, Erdal, and Matthias, who navigate a city alive with motion and stories after dark. The film unfolds a vivid mosaic of memories gathered through countless nights behind the wheel, fragments of wisdom, both subtle and profound and fleeting, unexpected moments of connection that reveal the hidden heartbeat of life itself.
As the city pulses outside their windows, these drivers become storytellers and philosophers of the night, reflecting on the lives they ferry, the artistry that guides them, and the memories that linger long after the meter stops. Their voices carry humor, solitude, resilience, and a quiet wisdom born from hours spent behind the wheel. Interwoven with archival footage spanning four decades, TAXI TALES bridges past and present, capturing Berlin's evolving soul: its streets a stage where world history and everyday life collide. More than a mere depiction of a job, Taxi Tales negotiates poetically on the unexpected ties between existential questions and driving a Mercedes.

Director Elisabeth (Betsi) Schumacher

Betsi's work is driven by a curiosity about people, their experiences, and the circumstances that shape their lives. During her years as a film student, she began creating biographical portraits of individuals she found fascinating and inspiring. This approach led to the short films "Karla" and "Nächtliche Mahlzeiten", followed by the short documentary "Dismissing Boys Club Mentality". In her filmmaking, personal stories are often connected to broader social structures and questions of power. With sensitivity and care, Betsi brings attention to perspectives that are often overlooked and stories that might otherwise remain untold. Her films are marked by close observation, emotional depth, and a genuine interest in the people at their center.

Director Statement

When I was a kid, my dad would pick me up in his taxi from time to time. This was always really special to me since the taxi had a unique elegance to it because of its wood trim and the warm smell of leather. Every now and then he'd tell stories about his experiences with passengers, which left a lasting impression on me. And he always said that the high earners never tip much, but those who look like they don't have much themselves do. My dad wanted to be a painter, but as life goes, things got in the way. But when he talked about driving a taxi, it was never really negative - it was something great.

In this film, I wanted to hear from my own father how he reflects on his life's journey. But since his story isn't the only one worth telling, I also want to share the stories of Anna-Maria and Erdal. They've all experienced how unexpected events can set you on a different path, yet they've also found a sense of self-determination in what they do, and the wisdom that has emerged from that has deeply moved me.
Even though we've chosen an essayistic narrative style to convey our film, we shouldn't overlook the challenges of everyday working life: low pay, physical and mental strain are just a few of the downsides of this profession. We also can't ignore the fact that it is primarily people from working-class families and with histories of migration who are pushed into the service sector. TAXI TALES is one of many pieces of the puzzle addressing questions of wage labor, life, and self-determination, but above all, it offers a glimpse into the memories and experiences of three people from whom we can learn something about life.

Credits

Director: Elisabeth (Betsi) Schumacher

Producer: Zora Günther

Camera: Luise Hahn, Elisabeth (Betsi) Schumacher

Sound: Hannah Otte

Editing: Luzie Puell, Hannah Otte, Elisabeth (Betsi) Schumacher, Luise Hahn

Soundtrack: Leyla Baer (Yzel), Elisabeth (Betsi) Schumacher, Hannah Otte, Zora Günther

Archive material provided by Uli Happe

Key Cast: Anna-Maria, Erdal, Matthias

Specifications

Project Title (Original Language): TAXI TALES
Project Type: Documentary
Runtime: 22 minutes 7 seconds
Completion Date: January 10, 2026
Production Budget: 400 EUR
Country of Origin: Germany
Country of Filming: Germany
Language: German, Kurdish, Turkish
Shooting Format: 4K, 25 fps
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Film Color: Color
First-time Filmmaker: No
Student Project: Yes - Berliner Hochschule für Technik

Online ansehen : https://filmfreeway.com/submissions...

Taxi Driver

Redaktion — 2026-09-13T19:22:34Z

A taxi driver who is involved in a cold emotional relationship at home. On his way to pick up passengers, a female passenger catches his attention and the woman takes several turns. During this journey together, events happen between them, then they arrange to meet the next day.

Director - SIYAMAND HASSANPOUR

Born and raised in the city of Mahabad in the Kurdish region of Iran, I hold a bachelor's degree in Digital Arts and graduated from the Film Making course at the Young Cinema Society of Iran.

Credits

Director, Writer, Producer
SIYAMAND HASSANPOUR

Specifications

Project Type: Feature, Short
Genres: Drama, family
Runtime: 13 minutes
Completion Date: May 1, 2025
Country of Filming: Iran
Language: English, Kurdish, Persian
Shooting Format: Digital
Film Color: Color
First-time Filmmaker: Yes

Online ansehen : https://filmfreeway.com/submissions...

Taxi in Time 2

Redaktion — 2026-09-13T19:22:15Z

Nach Teil eins geht es noch weiter in die Zukunft.
Dauer: 00:01:34

- Filme / Komödie, Kurzfilm, Youtube, Science Fiction, Taxi ist Teil der Geschichte, Italienisch, 2026, keine