Jörg Pfaffenzeller

As Chairman of the Film & Music Industry Division of the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce, it is my great pleasure to welcome the Linz International Short Film Festival. This festival is not only a showcase for cinematic diversity but also a vibrant meeting point for creativity, exchange, and international collaboration. Short films have a unique power: in just a few minutes, they can open up entire worlds, spark emotions, and inspire reflection – a quality of immense value in our fast-moving times. Today, the film industry finds itself at an exciting crossroads: Artificial Intelligence offers new possibilities in production, post-production, and storytelling, while also raising questions of authorship, artistic integrity, and the irreplaceable value of human creativity. We do not see this as a contradiction but as an opportunity. The true strength of cinema lies in the human gaze, the individual signature, and the courage to create. AI can be a valuable tool – but the soul of cinema will always remain human. This festival powerfully demonstrates the richness and strength of cinematic voices from around the globe. It unites innovation with tradition, technology with emotion, and vision with responsibility. With this spirit, we wish all participants and visitors inspiring encounters, lasting impressions, and the courage to explore new paths.