In the upper reaches of the Vöckla, we follow two scientists as they reintroduce the endangered stone crayfish. What first appears to be a concrete conservation project opens up a much wider space of reflection in ÅRT: a view of the hidden life beneath the water’s surface and the fragile balance of ecosystems that often remain invisible to us. Through a decelerated, observant visual language and an authentic sound design, the film immerses itself in a world unfolding below the surface—quiet, vulnerable, yet full of meaning. In doing so, ÅRT combines ecological observation with a poetic reflection on Heimat—a sense of home, belonging, and place. The title refers to an Upper Austrian dialect in which Art (species) and Ort (place) sound the same, asking to what extent our sense of Heimat is shaped not only by landscapes and locations, but also by the species we live alongside. The film thus becomes a quiet yet powerful meditation on nature, loss, and belonging.

Filmmaker details: Felix Sturmberger

Felix Sturmberger (b. 1989, Linz) is an Austrian director, sound designer and audio engineer. Based in Linz, he directs music videos, documentaries and commercials.