(in Amharic with English subtitles)

She is one of the best long-distance runners, having competed in the Olympics twice: Melat Kejeta. How to tell Gunshots from Fireworks is a non-fiction short film about the German runner. It was filmed in the Ngong Hills of Kenya — just a stone’s throw away from the country Melat was forced to flee nine years ago. The film follows her preparations for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She shares how she developed from a woman who grew up in Ethiopia into a world-class athlete, and reflects on the inspirations, obstacles, and new goals she encountered along the way. How to tell Gunshots from Fireworks is—far from what we typically know as sports documentaries—a magnificent, empowering portrait in its unique visual language.

Philipp Groth is a Franco–German visual artist and filmmaker whose films primarily address the impact of larger economic, cultural, and sexual relationships on the fortunes of individuals. His works have been shown in institutions such as the Tribeca Film Center in New York, Tate Modern in London, and the Goethe Institute.

Tsellot Melesse is a Berlin-based filmmaker and casting director. Drawing from her own experiences as a child of Ethiopian migrants in Germany, she is passionate about telling the stories of overlooked groups in our society on screen.

For the BLACK BERLIN BLACK – United Polyphonic festival (2023), filmmaker Mona Okulla Obua curated the film series BLACK EYES ON BLACK BODIES. Following films like Blues for Mrs. by Anton Juan, The Homes We Carry by Brenda Akele Jorde, and Black Joy by Rafik Opti, the series continues—starting with How to tell Gunshots from Fireworks by Philipp Groth and Tsellot Melesse.

Following the film screening, there will be a discussion in English with Tsellot Melesse. The evening will be moderated by filmmaker and journalist Delali Amegah.