I WAS NEVER REALLY HERE is a love story about two boys who meet over a summer that will forever change their lives. Kwesi understands he is not in a privileged position as he awaits the news about his residence permit, but the hot summer days allow the boys to escape for a moment, even if it means holding on to these memories for as long as they can.

Awards & Festivals

• 2023 -

  Deutsche Film- und Medienbewertung Prädikat: Besonders Wertvoll

• 2023 -

  Deutscher Kurzfilmpreis

  / Spielfilm 10 bis 30 Minuten / Nomination
• 2023 -

  Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival

  / African Perspectives / Nomination
• 2023 -

  Filmz - Festival des deutschen Kinos [de]

  / Mittellanger Spielfilm / Winner
• 2023 -

  Poitiers Film Festival

  / Students Award / Winner
• 2022 -

  Filmschoolfest Munich

  / Audience Award / Winner
• 02.11.2022 - Aesthetica Short Film Festival | Worldpremiere
• 18.11.2022 - Filmschool Fest Munich | Deutschland-Premiere (Audience Award)
• 06.12.2022 - Bogota Short Film Festival | South America Premiere
• 26.01.2023 - Bamberger Kurzfilmtage | Bamberg-Premiere
• 19.03.2023 - BFI Flare London LBGTQIA+ Film Festival | London Premiere
• 07.04.2023 - Go Short – International Short Film Festival Nijmegen | Netherlands Premiere
• 21.04.2023 - 52. Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival | Brandenburg Premiere
• 14.06.2023 - Kaze Film Festival | Africa-Premiere
• 24.06.2023 - Filmfest München (Best of Filmschoolfest)
• 12.07.2023 - Berliner Kurzfilmrolle | Berlin-Premiere
• XX.09.2023 - 20. Afrika Film Festival Köln | NRW-Premiere
• 13.10.2023 - HFF Kurzfilmabend @Queer Film Festival München
• 08.09.2023 -

  Fame - Week Africa Shorts Film Festival

  Kapstadt | South Africa Premiere
• 18.11.2023 - Interfilm - Internationales Kurzfilmfestival Berlin
• 13.04.2024 - Toronto Queer Film Festival | Canada Premiere