Quenton Miller - We should let animals tell their own stories

Quenton Miller's short film Koki, Ciao is narrated from the perspective of, and actually spoken by, a parrot. Although we were only able to speak with the Australian director at the Berlinale 2025 and not with the 67-year-old bird, who once belonged to the Yugoslav head of state Josip Broz Tito - we still learned a lot of interesting things about the cockatoo.

In Koki, Ciao, director Quenton Miller combines archival material from Tito's time in power in Yugoslavia with the authentic voice of the 67-year-old cockatoo, who gives the impression of remembering that past as a witness.

Miller talks in our interview about his general fascination with stories from the perspective of animals and describes the challenges he faced working with Koki, whom he also describes as a born entertainer.

More about Quenton & Short Talks:

• Short Talks on Vimeo
• Quenton's official website
• Berlinale Shorts blog article about Quenton & Koki, Ciao
• Information page about Koki, Ciao in the Berlinale archive