Im Licht der Sandbank

In the Light of the Sands

Cinema Documentary | 75 mins. | Germany 2026

As a bird warden, Kilian spends seven months alone on a barrier island in the North Sea. His tasks are simple: monitoring wildlife and collecting flotsam. The rich birdlife, extreme weather and ever-changing landscape are conveyed both through imagery and a soundtrack of wind, rain and birdsong. Contact with others is rare, but the intrusion of the outside world is all the more striking. Whilst climate change threatens the island, messages from his relatives in war-torn Lebanon echo in the solitude. Through his slow-paced observations, the island becomes a mirror for much larger turmoil.

Director, Cinematography, Sound: Kilian Helmbrecht
Produced by: Alex Hasskerl
Editing: Maja Tennstedt
Sound Design and Mixing: Lorenz Fischer

World Premiere:
47th Max Ophuels Film Festival, Official Selection, Documentary Film Competition

Official Selection:
22nd Achtung Berlin Filmfestival, Documentary Film Competition
Filmfest Schleswig-Holstein 2026
36th Filmfest Emden-Norderney
10th CINEMARE Int. Meeresfilmfestival Kiel – Thomas-Plöger-Prize
Visions du Réel – Film Market 2026

Upcoming Screening:
10.09.26 – Green Screen Eckernförde, International Nature Film Festival
25.09.26 – Willkommen Zuhause Filmfestival, Bernau

International Premiere:
Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam, November 2026

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