GER25 Long Story Short

Hilarious and poignant, this feel-good dramatic comedy follows a group of friends across three years as they reunite at various parties, learning about true love, friendship and living life to the fullest. When Ellen attends her friends’ New Year's Eve party, she is keeping a secret: she is having an affair with the already-married Sebastian, whom she believes to be the love of her life. Meanwhile there is tension in the marriage of Mareike and Adam, and things are heating up between Rolf and Diana. As momentous occasions are celebrated, friendships and relationships are put to the test; there is love, arguments, laughter, tears, weddings, children, and while some people find each other, others separate. Directed by David Dietl (Berlin Bouncer) and featuring a stellar ensemble including Laura Tonke, Ronald Zehrfeld (also in Two to One), and Trystan Pütter (Toni Erdmann), Long Story Short skillfully weaves together humour and serious moments in a magnificent ode to life, love and friendship.

GER25 Hysteria

Direct from the 2025 Berlinale, where it celebrated its highly anticipated World Premiere in the Panorama section, Hysteria is a suspenseful behind-the-scenes conspiracy thriller from award-winning director Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay in his second feature. On the set of a film production about a real-life 1993 arson incident, a burned Quran is discovered on set by a driver. The film crew is thrown into turmoil, and the shoot begins to spin out of control. Caught in the crossfire of accusations, 24-year-old intern and second assistant director Elif (2025 European Shooting Star Devrim Lingnau, The Empress) is drawn into a dangerous game of secrets, lies and paranoia, finding herself at the heart of an all-absorbing conspiracy. Filled with incendiary tensions and unexpected twists and turns, this clever and provocative mystery reflects on contemporary issues and presents a bold exploration of chaos, identity, ambition and power. This is a thought-provoking take on present day German society.

GER25 Riefenstahl

Written and directed by the acclaimed Andres Veiel, this masterful piece of documentary filmmaking delivers a captivating insight into the private estate of Leni Riefenstahl, delving into her complex relationship with the Nazi regime. Considered one of the most controversial women of the 20th century as an artist and a Nazi propagandist, Riefenstahl’s films Triumph of the Will and Olympia stand for perfectly staged body worship and the celebration of the superior and victorious, while simultaneously projecting contempt for the imperfect and weak. During her long life after the fall of Nazism, she remained unapologetic, controlling and shaping her legacy, determined to uphold her ideals. Using materials from unprecedented access to Riefenstahl's private estate, including films, photos, recordings and letters, Veiel uncovers her life and artistic creations, and questions how Riefenstahl could become the Reich's preeminent filmmaker, yet continue to deny any closer ties to Hitler and Goebbels. Featuring narration by Andrew Bird and music by Freya Arde, Riefenstahl explores the enduring appeal of imperial greatness and Riefenstahl’s multi-faceted legacy in art and politics.

GER25 Two to One

Based on incredible true events and featuring a stellar ensemble including Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest), Max Riemelt, Ronald Zehrfeld, and Peter Kurth, German box office hit Two to One is a feel-good tale of friendship, family, money and justice. During the reunification process, in the summer of 1990, East German citizens had mere days to exchange their East German Ostmarks for new Deutschmarks, with the old currency about to become worthless. Taking advantage of the chaotic time, a group of clever East Germans discover a hidden stash of millions of Ostmarks and retrieve as much money as they can carry. With wit and skill, they hatch an elaborate scheme with their neighbours to capitalise on the find and outsmart the system. But things take a turn for the worse when money starts circulating that never officially existed in the GDR (German Democratic Republic). Written and directed by Natja Brunckhorst, this heartfelt story promises laughs and unexpected twists amongst a culture clash of capitalism and socialism.

GER25 Dying

Celebrated auteur Matthias Glasner’s compelling drama Dying assembles an outstanding all-star cast led by the incredible Lars Eidinger as a successful, middle-aged orchestra conductor negotiating the chaos of his volatile private life. Berlin: Tom Lunies (Eidinger) is rehearsing a new composition titled Sterben (“Dying”) written by his troubled, highly-strung best friend Bernard. Though romantically involved with his assistant Ronja, Tom’s ex-girlfriend is about to give birth and wants him to co-parent the child. Hamburg: Tom’s younger sister, Ellen (Lilith Stangenberg), a dental hygienist, begins a frenzied affair with a married colleague with whom she shares a passion for self-medication and hedonism. Meanwhile, Tom’s ailing, sharp-tongued mother Lissy (Corinna Harfouch) is struggling to care for her husband, Gerd, whose mental decline is wreaking havoc on their quiet lives. Where are the couple’s two adult children when they are needed most? A masterpiece of shifting tonal registers, Glasner’s provocative, semi-autobiographical film treads the line between drama, tragedy and black humour, in an indelible, richly rewarding experience that was a sensation at last year’s Berlinale.

GER25 Mother's Baby

Direct from screening in competition at the 2025 Berlinale, the 2025 Festival will close with the intriguing psychological thriller Mother’s Baby, starring a captivating Marie Leuenberger. 40-year-old Julia (Leuenberger), a successful orchestral conductor, and her partner Georg (Hans Löw) have been longing for a child when the enigmatic Dr. Vilfort (Claes Bang), a fertility specialist with a private clinic, offers them hope. After successful treatment at the fertility doctor’s clinic, Julia becomes pregnant. However, when they return to the clinic nine months later, the birth does not go as planned and the baby is immediately taken away for additional treatment, leaving Julia and her husband in the dark about what has happened. When Julia is finally reunited with the child, she feels strangely distant and soon begins to doubt whether it is really her child and if something peculiar is going on at the clinic. Directed and co-written by Johanna Moder, this visceral tale of paranoia, ambiguity and maternal anxieties delivers enthralling thrills and sinister chills that will stay with you for days.

GER25 Cicadas

Written and directed by Ina Weisse (The Audition), this captivating and intimate drama direct from the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival stars the splendid Nina Hoss (Tár, The Audition) as a high-end real estate agent caught up in personal conflict. Isabell's (Hoss) life takes a turn when it becomes clear that her ageing parents need more assistance in their living arrangements. While searching for in-home help and navigating her complicated marriage to Philippe (Vincent Macaigne), she shuttles between Berlin and her parents' weekend house in a small Brandenburg village —a striking modernist home designed by her architect father. There, Isabell encounters the enigmatic Anja (Saskia Rosendahl, Fabian: Going to the Dogs), a single mother struggling to make ends meet. As Anja and her young daughter Greta weave themselves into Isabell's life, an unexpected bond begins to form. Yet despite a yearning for meaningful connection, Isabell feels increasingly uncertain about her meticulously planned life, sensing the ground shifting beneath her feet as she begins to lose control.

GER25 John Cranko

Directed by Joachim Lang (Mack the Knife) this cinematic, dance-infused tribute to the virtuoso choreographer who became a star on the world’s greatest ballet stages sees Sam Riley (Control, SS-GB) deliver a profoundly moving titualr performance. Prosecuted for homosexual activity in London, up-and-coming choreographer John Cranko (Riley) leaves for Stuttgart, Germany in 1960. A frenzied workaholic with a charming demeanour, Cranko swiftly revitalises the Stuttgart Ballet company, but his lifestyle attracts attention. After a controversial replacement of the prima donna and a series of new additions, Cranko's first production of Romeo and Juliet is a sensational success. He becomes the darling of the public and the ensemble is soon globally renowned, being invited to perform at prestigious venues like New York's Metropolitan Opera. Driven by a quest for perfection, Cranko grapples with destructive private setbacks amidst his meteoric rise. Featuring a dance ensemble of real Stuttgart Ballet members, this captivating drama deftly weaves together Cranko’s life and art in a tale of the highs and lows of the intoxicating limelight.

GER25 What Marielle Knows

From writer/director Frédéric Hambalek, this scathingly funny comedy of manners centres on a tantalising premise: what would you do if your daughter could suddenly read your mind? Well-off young parents Julia (Julie Jentsch) and Tobias (Felix Kramer) and their daughter Marielle (Laeni Geiseler) appear to be the perfect bourgeois Munich family. Yet behind the facade, trouble is brewing: self-important Tobias battles with self-doubt, and tightly-wound Julia is wrestling with her attraction to a colleague. The fragile balance of the family is shattered abruptly when Marielle reveals an unwanted new ability to her parents: she is now able to see and hear everything that they do. At first incredulous, Julia and Tobias quickly realise their lies no longer hold water. As their secrets and self-deceptions unravel - with increasingly awkward consequences – the two become more acutely self-conscious and their relationship reaches breaking point. Sharply executed, What Marielle Knows is a fascinating exploration of hypocrisies and contradictions, as uncomfortable truths are revealed.

GER25 I Want It All

Hildegard Knef: global star, style icon and grand dame of chanson, was opinionated, controversial and simultaneously an archetype and antithesis of her time. As an actress, singer and writer, Knef became a public figure in Germany at the age of 20 and never returned to anonymity. In 1951, a six second scene from the film The Sinner caused a nationwide scandal in the newly formed Federal Republic, when Knef’s breasts were visible on screen. After falling from grace, she pursued a career abroad and remained creatively active for over five decades, celebrating successes and experiencing crushing defeats. Published in 1970 and translated into 17 languages, Knef’s highly successful autobiography The Gifted Horse topped the der Spiegel bestseller list for six months. Marking the 100th anniversary of her birth in 1925, cinematic biography I Want It All showcases Knef's unwavering spirit and artistic brilliance using rare archival footage and interviews to present a portrait of a highly talented, ambitious and astute woman who showed the world how to survive fame and failure.

GER25 Circusboy

Eleven-year-old Santino is at home at the circus. As a young member of the Frank circus family, he travels around the country in a caravan with their Arena circus, artists and animals. Santino loves to spend time with his eighty-year-old great-grandfather Ehe, one of Europe’s last great circus directors, who has become his best friend. Together, they share heartwarming stories; about friendship with an elephant, farewells, new beginnings and life on the road. Following the family for a whole year, starting with Santino's eleventh birthday, Circusboy goes behind the curtain to chronicle the lives of these modern nomads, capturing Santino’s experience growing up among an extended family and animals; a life without a safety net. Written and directed by Julia Lemke and Anna Koch, this is a magical documentary with animated sequences, about the power of storytelling, belonging and community.

GER25 A Family Dilemma

From festival favourite Sönke Wortmann (How About Adolf?, Family Affairs), this third film reunites the stellar all-star ensemble including Iris Berben, Florian David Fitz, Christoph Maria Herbst and Janina Uhse, for an entertaining and biting comedy set in the picturesque Tyrolean Alps. When Anna and Thomas invite their eccentric families to a luxury ski resort for their wedding, their guests bring unexpected chaos with them. Invited to the wedding are Thomas' sister Elisabeth, her constantly nagging husband Stephan, and their teenage children Antigone and Cajus; as well as Thomas' mother Dorothea, who is in constant contact with her husband René. But the celebratory atmosphere is at risk as there is endless bickering and discussions about helicopter parenting, unexpected careers and troubles at work. It doesn't take long for the various family members to find themselves at odds with tensions beginning to rise as secrets, unresolved issues, and chaotic family dynamics all threaten to jeopardise the big day.

GER25 Berlin Alexanderplatz: Part 1

Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) is a 14-part miniseries (plus an epilogue) directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, adapting Alfred Döblin’s 1929 novel. It follows Franz Biberkopf (Günter Lamprecht), who is struggling to reintegrate into Berlin’s seedy underworld after serving four years in prison. He initially vows to live an honest life but is drawn into crime through the manipulative Reinhold (Gottfried John), leading to a tragic spiral of violence, betrayal, and existential despair. Fassbinder’s adaptation is a towering work of New German Cinema, blending melodrama, surrealism, and psychological depth. Shot in muted tones with long, immersive takes, the series portrays Weimar-era Berlin as a grim, oppressive world of poverty and corruption, mirroring Biberkopf’s internal struggles. The final epilogue, an abstract, dreamlike sequence, expands the film into a metaphysical meditation on fate, love, and personal destruction. Berlin Alexanderplatz is a demanding but rewarding experience, regarded as one of Fassbinder’s greatest achievements. It transforms Döblin’s modernist novel into a deeply personal and politically charged statement on Germany’s past and Fassbinder’s own cinematic obsessions. The full 15-hour cycle of Berlin Alexanderplatz is presented across three sessions. PART ONE Episodes 1 - 5 320 mins plus intermissions Ep. 1, "The Punishment Begins" | "Die Strafe beginnt", 82 mins Ep. 2, "How Is One to Live if One Doesn’t Want to Die?" | "Wie soll man leben, wenn man nicht sterben will", 60 mins Ep. 3, "A Hammer Blow to the Head Can Injure the Soul" | "Ein Hammer auf den Kopf kann die Seele verletzen", 59 mins Ep. 4, "A Handful of People in the Depths of Silence" | "Eine Handvoll Menschen in der Tiefe der Stille", 59 mins Ep. 5, "A Reaper with the Power of Our Lord" | "Ein Schnitter mit der Gewalt vom lieben Gott", 60 mins

GER25 Berlin Alexanderplatz: Part 2

Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) is a 14-part miniseries (plus an epilogue) directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, adapting Alfred Döblin’s 1929 novel. It follows Franz Biberkopf (Günter Lamprecht), who is struggling to reintegrate into Berlin’s seedy underworld after serving four years in prison. He initially vows to live an honest life but is drawn into crime through the manipulative Reinhold (Gottfried John), leading to a tragic spiral of violence, betrayal, and existential despair. Fassbinder’s adaptation is a towering work of New German Cinema, blending melodrama, surrealism, and psychological depth. Shot in muted tones with long, immersive takes, the series portrays Weimar-era Berlin as a grim, oppressive world of poverty and corruption, mirroring Biberkopf’s internal struggles. The final epilogue, an abstract, dreamlike sequence, expands the film into a metaphysical meditation on fate, love, and personal destruction. Berlin Alexanderplatz is a demanding but rewarding experience, regarded as one of Fassbinder’s greatest achievements. It transforms Döblin’s modernist novel into a deeply personal and politically charged statement on Germany’s past and Fassbinder’s own cinematic obsessions. The full 15-hour cycle of Berlin Alexanderplatz is presented across three sessions. PART TWO Episodes 6 - 10 294 mins plus intermissions Ep. 6, "Love Has Its Price" | "Eine Liebe, das kostet immer viel", 59 mins Ep. 7, "Remember — An Oath Can Be Amputated" | "Merke: Einen Schwur kann man amputieren", 58 mins Ep. 8, "The Sun Warms the Skin, but Burns It Sometimes Too" | "Die Sonne wärmt die Haut, die sie manchmal verbrennt", 59 mins Ep. 9, "About the Eternities Between the Many and the Few" | "Von den Ewigkeiten zwischen den Vielen und den Wenigen", 59 mins Ep. 10, "Loneliness Tears Cracks of Madness Even in Walls" | "Einsamkeit reißt auch in Mauern Risse des Irrsinns", 60 mins

GER25 Berlin Alexanderplatz: Part 3

Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) is a 14-part miniseries (plus an epilogue) directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, adapting Alfred Döblin’s 1929 novel. It follows Franz Biberkopf (Günter Lamprecht), who is struggling to reintegrate into Berlin’s seedy underworld after serving four years in prison. He initially vows to live an honest life but is drawn into crime through the manipulative Reinhold (Gottfried John), leading to a tragic spiral of violence, betrayal, and existential despair. Fassbinder’s adaptation is a towering work of New German Cinema, blending melodrama, surrealism, and psychological depth. Shot in muted tones with long, immersive takes, the series portrays Weimar-era Berlin as a grim, oppressive world of poverty and corruption, mirroring Biberkopf’s internal struggles. The final epilogue, an abstract, dreamlike sequence, expands the film into a metaphysical meditation on fate, love, and personal destruction. Berlin Alexanderplatz is a demanding but rewarding experience, regarded as one of Fassbinder’s greatest achievements. It transforms Döblin’s modernist novel into a deeply personal and politically charged statement on Germany’s past and Fassbinder’s own cinematic obsessions. The full 15-hour cycle of Berlin Alexanderplatz is presented across three sessions. PART THREE Episodes 11 - 14 290 mins plus intermissions Ep.11, "Knowledge Is Power and the Early Bird Catches the Worm" | "Wissen ist Macht und Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund", 59 mins Ep. 12, "The Serpent in the Soul of the Serpent" | "Die Schlange in der Seele der Schlange", 60 mins Ep. 13, "The Outside and the Inside and the Secret of Fear of the Secret" | "Das Äußere und das Innere und das Geheimnis der Angst vor dem Geheimnis", 59 mins Ep. 14, "My Dream of the Dream of Franz Biberkopf by Alfred Döblin, an Epilogue" | "Mein Traum vom Traum des Franz Biberkopf von Alfred Döblin - Ein Epilog", 112 mins

GER25 Muenter & Kandinsky - The Blue Rider

Directed by Marcus O. Rosenmüller (Wunderkinder), Münter & Kandinsky - The Blue Rider is a sumptuous historical drama and rich portrait of the complex relationship between Expressionist painters Gabriele Münter and Wassily Kandinsky. Extraordinary artists and passionate lovers, Gabriele Münter (1877-1962) and Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944) were integral to Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), one of the most famous artist groups of Classical Modernism at the beginning of the 20th Century. Together they lived and painted in the Bavarian town of Murnau am Staffelsee. But while Kandinsky enjoys fame, admiration, artistic and financial recognition, Münter remained in his shadow. As she struggled with her own life and lack of success, their relationship became increasingly complicated and toxic. Starring Vladimir Burlakov (Deutschland 83) as Kandinsky and Vanessa Loibl as Münter, this gorgeous story of love and art based on true events centralises Gabriele Münter, exploring the untold chapters of her life, her love affair with Kandinsky, and her crucial role in the avant-garde movement that revolutionised the art world.

GER25 Old White Man

A smash box office hit in Germany, satirical ensemble comedy Old White Man, written and directed by Simon Verhoeven (Nightlife, Welcome to Germany), is a sharply observed, provocative exploration of exaggerated clichés and contemporary society’s generational and cultural divides. Middle-aged family man and advertising manager Heinz Hellmich (Jan Josef Liefers) is on a mission: to shed his image as an "old white man" and redeem himself at work to hopefully secure the promotion of his dreams. When his progressive boss and diverse colleagues accept his invitation to an intimate dinner at his home, Heinz sees it as the perfect opportunity to showcase his modern outlook on life. But as the evening unfolds, Heinz stumbles from one cringe-worthy faux pas to the next. When everyone is finally seated at the table, his family’s carefully curated facade begins to crack. With unexpected guests arriving and the night spiraling out of control, the dinner table discussion turns to sensitive topics and becomes a minefield of political correctness, clashing worldviews and awkward revelations, with comedic chaos ensuing!

GER25 Peacock

Albrecht Schuch (Dark Satellites GER24, All Quiet on the Western Front) delivers a stellar central performance in Peacock, a biting satire about the essence of human relationships. Matthias (Schuch) is a master of his profession, the head of a successful Rent-A-Friend agency, playing any role in any situation his clients desire for a fee. Do you need a “cultured boyfriend” to impress your friends? A “perfect son” to influence your business partners’ opinion of you? Or maybe just a sparring partner to rehearse an argument? Whatever it is, simply rent Matthias. Business is going well, but while Matthias excels at pretending to be someone else every day, the real challenge is just being himself. Matthias’ curated and composed life begins to unravel as he struggles with his life and sense of self outside work, plunging him into an identity crisis. Written and directed by Bernhard Wenger in his feature film debut, Peacock is a pitch-perfect witty, existential black comedy with a touch of the surreal and sly social commentary.

GER25 The Chaos Sisters & Penguin Paul

Adapted from the popular book series Die Chaosschwestern by Dagmar H. Mueller, this charming family film features a stellar ensemble cast that brings the beloved book characters to life. The Martini sisters Livi, Tessa, Malea and Kenny have very little in common. There are always differences of opinion and ambition: 15-year-old Tessa wants to become an influencer; 13-year-old Livi is an environmentalist; ten-year-old Malea is an adventure-seeker; and Kenny, the youngest, has an imaginary friend named Sashimi. One day, when their parents are out of the house, Paul the dancing penguin appears on their doorstep, and upon learning that he is in danger the sisters must embark on a wild adventure to save him from the cunning magician duo, Mary & Marc, and return him to his family at the zoo. The only way to succeed is for the chaos sisters to put their differences aside and work together!

GER25 The Door-to-Door Bookstore

Based on the best-selling novel by Carsten Henn, which was inspired by a real bookstore in Aachen, The Door-to-Door Bookstore is a charming and heartfelt ode to books and readers. Every day, in the back room of a bookshop Carl Kollhoff (Christoph Maria Herbst) carefully wraps books in paper to personally deliver to his regular customers in town. Books are the greatest joy of the shy older man, who lives for the printed word. Although he avoids contact with other people, he knows his loyal customers’ preferences and takes pride in selecting the perfect story for each of them. One day, curious nine-year-old Schascha follows him on one of his rounds and Carl reluctantly accepts the new companion. But Schascha quickly wins the hearts of Carl's regular customers and turns their lives upside down, while also helping Carl break out of his closed world.

GER25 The German Lesson

Q&A WITH DIRECTOR CHRISTIAN SCHWOCHOW PROUDLY PRESENTED BY THE HSBC GERMAN FILM FESTIVAL, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GOETHE-INSTITUT. A portrait of a society torn between duty and conscience in the aftermath of National Socialism. In a small North German village, a drama plays out during and shortly after the Second World War about duty versus individual conscience and morality. Based on Siegfried Lenz‘ classic novel “Deutschstunde”. Christian Schwochow (*1978, Bergen auf Rügen, Germany) is one of the most influential German contemporary directors of his generation. His films and series explore themes of identity, historical responsibility, and moral conflict, often portraying individuals caught in larger socio-political forces.

GER25 The Mystery of Love

At 67, Edgar (Uwe Ochsenknecht) is a successful German comedian. Every evening on stage, he charms audiences with his sharp wit about life’s later years—relationship failures, ungrateful children, fading desires, declining health, and the approach of death. But when the show is over and the laughter dies down, he is left to face his own loneliness. He tries to fill his empty evenings by numbing his feelings with drinks and short-lived flings. One day, his ex-wife Eva (Corinna Harfouch, also in Dying) appears unannounced at one of his performances. He has not had contact with Eva or their two adult children for 25 years. But soon Eva and Edgar begin to reconnect. Against all expectations, love rekindles between them and Eva decides to accompany Edgar on his comedy tour through Germany and Austria. Directed by Markus Goller (One for the Road, 25km/h) The Mystery of Love is a bittersweet tragicomedy about appreciating life and love, forgiveness and second chances.

GER25 The Tasters

Directed by Silvio Soldini, The Tasters is a gripping moral drama, adapted from Rosella Postorino’s bestselling novel, which was inspired by the incredible true story of Margot Wolk, one of Hitler’s food tasters. Autumn 1943. Fleeing bombed Berlin, Rosa (Elisa Schlott, The Empress, Das Boot) reaches a small, isolated village where her in-laws live and where her husband, who is on the front, has written to her to take refuge while awaiting his return. Rosa soon discovers that the seemingly peaceful village hides a secret: inside the neighbouring forest lies Hitler’s headquarters, the Wolf's Lair. One morning at dawn Rosa is taken, along with other young women from the village, to taste the Führer's food under the watchful eye of the SS and ensure it is not poisoned. Caught in a deadly daily game, the tasters begin to form alliances, friendships and secret pacts. Rosa, the outsider, struggles to be accepted by the others, and her situation is further complicated when a new SS officer begins to have feelings for her.

GER25 Winners

Eleven-year-old Mona and her family have fled from Syria to Berlin. Her new public school is chaotic, the teachers are frazzled, and the students are frustrated. Mona can barely speak German and struggles to find her place in this new life. When Mona's special talent in football is recognised by one of the teachers, she lands a spot on the girls' football team. But she soon discovers that playing with the other girls is more difficult than expected and she remains an outsider. With a tournament approaching, the girls soon realise that if they want a chance to win, they will need to put their differences aside, stick together and work as a team. Winner of the 2024 German Film Award for Best Children’s Film, Winners is a charming and uplifting coming-of-age story about the importance of resilience, teamwork, friendship, and belonging.