
Two Rivers is a five-minute documentary short set near the Oder River, where Poland and Germany meet. Following friends Szymon and Franek at a skatepark, the film combines 16mm photography, documentary observation and animation to explore childhood, friendship and the shifting meaning of borders.
Two Rivers is a 2026 documentary short from filmmaker Felix Maria Bühler. Running for five minutes, it centers on Szymon and Franek, two friends who spend their free time at a skatepark near the Oder River, close to the Polish-German border.
As the boys look toward the opposite bank, a familiar landscape takes on a different meaning. Through a combination of documentary observation and animation, the film considers how borders can be physical structures—or ideas shaped by perception.
Two Rivers movie details
| Title | Two Rivers |
|---|---|
| Release date | |
| Runtime | 5m |
| Genres | Documentary |
| Director | Felix Maria Bühler |
| Writer | Felix Maria Bühler |
| Languages | English, Polish |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
Szymon and Franek meet at a skatepark that brings people together regardless of where they come from. Their everyday friendship unfolds in a borderland where Poland and Germany face each other across the Oder River.
The boys’ view of the area begins to change as the river becomes associated with division and fences appear to mark the shared space. Two Rivers follows their questions about whether a border is something concrete, like water and barriers, or something created in the imagination. The film remains focused on childhood, place and changing awareness without revealing more than its central premise.

What to expect
This is a compact documentary shaped by a blend of observational filmmaking and animation. Its 16mm presentation, black-and-white imagery and five-minute runtime point to a concise, formally distinct portrait of childhood in a border region.
The subject matter connects friendship and skateboarding with broader questions about geography, belonging and the way young people understand political boundaries. Because the film is a short documentary rather than a conventional narrative feature, its approach is centered on real people and their surroundings, supported by animated elements.
Cast and creative team
Felix Maria Bühler directed and wrote Two Rivers. Szymon and Franek appear as themselves, bringing the film’s central friendship and perspective to the screen.
- Szymon as himself
- Franek as himself
Release and production context
Two Rivers is a 2026 documentary short with a listed release date of October 30, 2026. It runs for five minutes and uses English and Polish. The film was produced by Felix Maria Bühler and was shot on 16mm. Its setting is near the Oder River, where Poland and Germany meet.
Production companies: Felix Maria Bühler
Movies Dock view
With its brief runtime and focused premise, Two Rivers offers a small-scale portrait of two children whose everyday surroundings prompt larger questions about borders and belonging. Its documentary and animated elements give the subject room to be approached through both observation and imagination.
Frequently asked questions
What is Two Rivers about?
Two Rivers follows friends Szymon and Franek at a skatepark near the Oder River, where they begin to question the meaning of borders between Poland and Germany.
Who directed Two Rivers?
Felix Maria Bühler directed and wrote the film.
How long is Two Rivers?
Two Rivers has a runtime of five minutes.
What kind of film is Two Rivers?
It is a documentary short that combines documentary observation with animation.
When is Two Rivers listed for release?
The listed release date is October 30, 2026.















