Posted by Indie Short Fest is proud to announce Some Things Can’t Wait, directed by Vincent Jost (Germany), as the Best Short of September 2025 (Special Jury Award). Emerging from a highly competitive edition—with entries from more than 20 countries—the film captivated the jury with its emotional power and striking visual storytelling.
A powerful portrait of childhood under pressure
In this sharply observed and emotionally charged drama, Felix (played by Julian Ehrenfried) faces a task far too heavy for his age: shortly before a train journey with his mother, he is told by his father to break the news of their parents’ separation to his lively younger brother Leo (Timur Berke). What follows is a tense and tender exploration of family, loyalty, and the burden of responsibility placed on young shoulders.
Told entirely from a child’s perspective, Some Things Can’t Wait compresses a world of emotion into a brief yet unforgettable journey, balancing urgent momentum with quiet, observational moments. Within its lean runtime, the film captures the confusion and resilience of growing up amid parental conflict—where responsibility arrives too soon and innocence fades too quickly.
According to director Vincent Jost, the film was conceived as “an intense and closely observed family drama.” He explains that “within a compressed timeframe, the story explores big themes: separation, responsibility, and the fragile balance between childhood and adulthood.”
Jost further reflects on the film’s aesthetic approach: “With its tight and dynamic pace, the film uses urban spaces—subway stations, squares, streets—not just as a backdrop, but as a mirror of emotional disorientation. The city becomes an inner labyrinth through which the characters must find their way.”
This visual and emotional architecture creates a film that feels both intimate and expansive. The chase sequences, set in a dark and restless metropolis, serve as an external expression of Felix’s inner turmoil. Produced with a modest budget of €22,000, the film demonstrates how precision of vision and emotional truth can transcend scale. Through its tightly choreographed storytelling and raw, natural performances, Some Things Can’t Wait sustains a rare balance of realism and cinematic tension. Its selection as Best Short of September underscores how deeply it resonated with the Indie Short Fest jury for its craft, pacing, and emotional clarity.
About the Director
Vincent Jost (born 1999 in Frankfurt am Main) spent a year working as an assistant director in theater before moving to Berlin as an assistant editor for television. Since 2021, he has been studying Directing for Cinema and Television at the University of Television and Film Munich (HFF München).
His previous short films have screened at numerous festivals, including the Hof International Film Festival (2023), where his comedic short Little Wieners (Die Würstchen) was featured in the Deutscher Kurzfilm section.
For Zu Groß Für Später (Some Things Can’t Wait), Jost collaborated with producer Ben Ulrich (WennDann Film / HFF München), continuing HFF’s tradition of cultivating sharp, emotionally resonant young filmmakers.
With this win, the film has now qualified for consideration in the 2025/2026 Indie Short Fest Annual Awards, placing it among the top contenders of the year.
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