Stef Zeiler

👬 2 guys vs 1 tandem 🍹 Throwback to last summer, when @stefzeiler and I did a tandem tour around Lake Balaton in Hungary 🌊 Five days, a lot of water(melons) & wine, and far too much baby cream (🍑) to make it through more than 200 km - all on a pretty shitty bike 😅 Omg, what a journey! All the people we met along the way under the searing sun, all the jokes we cracked beneath the stars - it could fill an entire movie 👀🌱 A beautiful trip: bringing Hungarian culture a bit closer to my best friend and producing partner of 1956, and celebrating his last days in his twenties ✨ Here are some of my favourite pictures with one of my favourite people 💛 ___ #tobiasvees #hearusmove #1956x2026

🎬 DOP – Christina Gaugg 🎥 ⠀ You already know her from so many of our posts and stories, but we’re beyond happy to have her on our side again 🙈 ⠀ And imagine that: When I asked @_chrissi at a Christmas market in Vienna in 2024 whether she would like to be our Director of Photography for 1956, her first reaction was: “Are you sure??” Having seen her work on SPATZI, I was absolutely sure 💛🧡 ⠀ And she exceeded even those expectations. ⠀ Just look at the photos of her creating magic. Chrissi is a remarkable visual artist behind the camera - someone who brings both precision and instinct to every frame, while always being one of the kindest people on set. And she’s a genuinely good friend ✨ ⠀ Thank you, Chrissi, for capturing the world, the characters, and the emotional core of 1956 with such clarity and heart. I can’t wait to show you all what she and her brilliant team have created ☄️ ⠀ 📸 @pauliperitsch ⠀ ___ #hearusmove #1956x2026 #tobiasvees

"Béla" – Szilárd Hajós ⠀ Just like Una, @stefzeiler and I met @heyszilard in January during our online casting. From the very beginning, he made it incredibly easy for us to cast him as the male lead in 1956. Don’t believe me? Swipe to the last slide to see our initial reaction to Szilárd’s audition (yes, we were really tired back then, haha). And just like Una, he was wonderfully supportive in preproduction - he helped me a lot with the translation of the script from English to Hungarian, for example 🫶 ⠀ Beyond being a wonderful, fun human being, Szilárd is a rare acting and musical talent. Even in physically and emotionally intense scenes, he stayed calm, kind, and supportive - which, honestly, helped me stay relaxed. And his performance… omg. I don’t know if it’s normal for directors to become fans of their actors, but I definitely became one. And if someone doesn’t cast him in a musical soon, I might have to do it myself. His singing in one of the scenes made me believe in wonders again. Jeez 🎼 ⠀ Szilárd, working with you was an absolute joy. I’m endlessly grateful that you took on this role - you truly outdid yourself 💙 ⠀ Hair & Make-Up: @noramakeupartistvegan Costume: @birobarb_ara ⠀ 📸 @pauliperitsch ___ #hearusmove #1956x2026 #tobiasvees

⭐️ "Eszter" - Una Kovac ⭐️ ⠀ We met @thatoneuna at the beginning of the year, among more than 50 actresses during our online casting for the female lead of "1956". Not only did her performance give me goosebumps over Zoom, but from the very first moment she was incredibly supportive of us and the project - sending us links to funding opportunities, interesting industry contacts, and useful insights long before we had even cast her. And of course, that support continued all the way through production ✨ ⠀ On set, she never stopped helping everyone around her. And if that doesn’t already tell you everything about her as a person, her work ethic and performance will: I have never met someone so prepared, so determined, so precise. I knew after her “Got it” that she would deliver. Watching her act made me smile from my director’s monitor every single time. I already know I’ll miss Una on every set she’s not part of from now on 🌷 ⠀ Una, working with you was effortless, beautiful, and your work amazes me every single day in the editing room. I’m truly in awe. Thank you, so, so much 🩵 ⠀ Hair & Make-Up: @noramakeupartistvegan Costume: @birobarb_ara ⠀ 📸 @pauliperitsch ____ #hearusmove #1956x2026 #tobiasvees

✨ Sándor - Gellért L. Kádár ✨ ⠀ Upon watching the first few episodes of @hunyadiasorozat this summer, I instantly became a fan of @gellertkadar — just like so many others in Hungary, Austria and internationally. So when I began thinking about who to cast as the revolutionary leader in our film "1956", I kept telling my team I wanted someone like Gellért. But then I thought… why not just ask him directly? 🤷‍♂ ⠀ So you can imagine how happy I was when Gellért texted me that he loved the script and enthusiastically came on board! ⠀ His charm and humour lit up our set behind the scenes, and in front of the camera he delivered a nuanced, truly captivating performance. Guys… get ready to hang on every word he says. ⠀ Thank you, Gellért. Working with you was nothing but a joy 💛 Hair & Make-Up: @noramakeupartistvegan Costume: @birobarb_ara 📸 @pauliperitsch ___ #hearusmove #1956x2026 #tobiasvees

🌟 The Supporting Cast of 1956 🌟 ⠀ When @stefzeiler and I finalised the casting and I saw all the names together for the first time, I had to pause. Having such a large cast in a short film is unusual - having such an extraordinary one is a gift. Let me introduce them to you: ⠀ Csilla - @dunaorsolya We met Orsi in our online casting back in January. Her performance blew us away so completely that I rewrote the character just to have her on board. For our shooting, she travelled all the way from Romania to join us - and delivered a truly magnetic performance. ⠀ Gábor - @philippruckriegel Just like Orsi, we met Philipp in January. Even then, he impressed us with his dedication, sharp analysis of the story and character, and his kindness. On set, he was a force of joy, helping wherever he could and giving a thoughtful performance. ⠀ Soldier Karl - @maxortner Max was one of the very first people I asked to join this project almost a year ago - and without a moment's hesitation, he said yes. I could count on him from the very first to the very last moment today, giving the strong, emotional performance I dreamed about. This film marks our 3rd collaboration. ⠀ Recruit Hannes - @plankensteinerleo Joining us last minute (because I thought it would be fun to change the script one week before the shoot), Leo was simply wonderful. Easy-going, warm, and instantly at home within the team, the project, and the character. ⠀ Cousine Lilli - @danielazacherl Being friends with Daniela for years, it was a true joy and honour to have her involved. Even in a smaller role, she gave it everything - breathing so much life into the character that it felt like magic. ⠀ Representative of the National Council - @danielkrunz My friend Danny is not only a brilliant writer, but also shines more and more in front of the camera. He approaches each role with thought, care, and ownership - as if he had written it himself. ⠀ Thank you all for being part of 1956. You made this world feel alive and truthful 🩵 Hair & Make-Up: @noramakeupartistvegan Costume: @birobarb_ara 📸 @pauliperitsch ⠀ ___ #hearusmove #1956x2026 #tobiasvees

Swipe to see some Before & After of our short movie SPATZI (Storyboard „Artist“ 💅🏼) Imagine how much @stefzeiler loved to work with me 🤓 Cast: @naimaviktoria @meistensblau @ameliesteinweiss @_mino_dreier_ @actuallykevinkoller @yusufclk.42 ⠀ Crew: Writer & Director: @stefzeiler Producers: @stefzeiler & @tobiasvees Associate Producer: @_m3nzo_ Director of Photography: @_chrissi Sound Mixer: @yeressea , @lidruschka & @b ‌e‌r‌g‌b‌l‌u‌m‌e‌ 1st AC: @theresa.eschbacher 2nd AC: @morizloewy 1st AD: j‌i‌r‌k‌a‌_‌c‌e‌r‌n‌y‌ Intimacy Coordination, Script & Continuity: @sara_del_b Gaffer: @xavpaw Best Boy: @pimpflhuber Set Design: @diehalbestephi & @laetiziasgalerie Make-Up & Hair: @ellomalthea & @makeupbypanz3rfaust Costume: @lana_c PAs: @vaaaaali , @francesca_hii & @franziskasauer Drivers: @matthias.denovo & @_m3nzo_ Set Photography: @pauliperitsch & @jvlsies ⠀ Post: Editor & Colourist: @norisknofilm Sound Design: @b ‌e‌r‌g‌b‌l‌u‌m‌e‌ Music: @instadam Poster & Illustrations: @teresabodi ⠀ #spatzi2025 #hearusmove

Some SPATZI Stills ✨ Sending so much love and Bussis to the best crew 🫶🏼 Cast: @naimaviktoria @meistensblau @ameliesteinweiss @_mino_dreier_ @actuallykevinkoller @yusufclk.42 ⠀ Crew: Writer & Director: @stefzeiler Producers: @stefzeiler & @tobiasvees Associate Producer: @_m3nzo_ Director of Photography: 🫶🏼 Sound Mixer: @yeressea , @lidruschka & @b ‌e‌r‌g‌b‌l‌u‌m‌e‌ 1st AC: @theresa.eschbacher 2nd AC: @morizloewy 1st AD: j‌i‌r‌k‌a‌_‌c‌e‌r‌n‌y‌ Intimacy Coordination, Script & Continuity: @sara_del_b Gaffer: @xavpaw Best Boy: @pimpflhuber Set Design: @diehalbestephi & @laetiziasgalerie Make-Up & Hair: @ellomalthea & @makeupbypanz3rfaust Costume: @lana_c PAs: @vaaaaali , @francesca_hii & @franziskasauer Drivers: @matthias.denovo & @_m3nzo_ Set Photography: @pauliperitsch & @jvlsies ⠀ Editor & Colourist: @norisknofilm Sound Design: @b ‌e‌r‌g‌b‌l‌u‌m‌e‌ Music: @instadam Poster & Illustrations: @teresabodi ⠀ #spatzi2025 #hearusmove

SPATZI PREMIERE – 29.08.25 ✨ ⠀ Endless thanks to @lcas.k for catching these special moments so beautifully ⭐️ if you need a filmmaker – he’s your guy! ⠀ We kicked things off with a truly heart-warming private premiere at our favourite venue, @cinemaparadiso.baden . Now it’s time to take SPATZI out into the world – off to the festival circuit we go! Wish us luck for many more magical screenings 💛 ⠀ Cast: @naimaviktoria @meistensblau @ameliesteinweiss @_mino_dreier_ @actuallykevinkoller @yusufclk.42 ⠀ Crew: Writer-Director: @stefzeiler Producers: @stefzeiler & @tobiasvees (& definitely also @_chrissi ) Associate Producer: @_m3nzo_ Director of Photography: @_chrissi Sound Mixer: @yeressea , @lidruschka & @__be ‌r‌g‌b‌l‌u‌m‌e‌__ 1st AC: @theresa.eschbacher 2nd AC: @morizloewy 1st AD: j‌i‌r‌k‌a‌_‌c‌e‌r‌n‌y‌ Intimacy Coordination, Script & Continuity: @sara_del_b Gaffer: @xavpaw Best Boy: @pimpflhuber Set Design: @diehalbestephi & @laetiziasgalerie Make-Up & Hair: @ellomalthea & @makeupbypanz3rfaust Costume: @lana_c PAs: @vaaaaali , @francesca_hii & @franziskasauer Drivers: @matthias.denovo & @_m3nzo_ Set Photography: @pauliperitsch & @jvlsies ⠀ Post: Editor & Colourist: @norisknofilm Sound Design: @__bergblume__ Music: @instadam Poster & Title Cards: @teresabodi ⠀ #spatzi2025 #hearusmove #1956x2026 #tobiasvees

SPATZI CAP? LINK IN BIO

SPATZI REVIEWS 🐥✨ It’s been a week since our premiere, where we asked our audience for thoughts & comments, and wow – you all sent us so much love!! Over 70 reviews and every single one was heartwarming and amazing 🥰 Here are some of our absolute favourites 💛🧡 ⠀ Swipe to read the English translations! ⠀ Cast: @naimaviktoria @meistensblau @ameliesteinweiss @_mino_dreier_ @actuallykevinkoller @yusufclk.42 ⠀ Crew: Producers: @stefzeiler & @tobiasvees (& definitely also @_chrissi ) Associate Producer: @_m3nzo_ Director of Photography: @_chrissi Sound Mixer: @yeressea , @lidruschka & @__bergblume__ 1st AC: @theresa.eschbacher 2nd AC: @morizloewy 1st AD: j‌i‌r‌k‌a‌_‌c‌e‌r‌n‌y‌ Intimacy Coordination, Script & Continuity: @sara_del_b Gaffer: @xavpaw Best Boy: @pimpflhuber Set Design: @diehalbestephi & @laetiziasgalerie Make-Up & Hair: @ellomalthea & @makeupbypanz3rfaust Costume: @lana_c PAs: @vaaaaali , @francesca_hiii & @franziskasauer ❣️ Drivers: @matthias.denovo & @_m3nzo_ Set Photography: @pauliperitsch & @jvlsies ⠀ Post: Editor & Colourist: @norisknofilm Sound Design: @__bergblume__ Music: @instadam._ Poster & Title Cards: @teresabodi ⠀ #spatzi2025 #hearusmove