| The art of film was the leading mantra at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival. “Art will always win”, declared the jury chaired by President Juliette Binoche. The German competition entry SOUND OF FALLING by Mascha Schilinski, which enjoyed sensational success in Cannes, was also entirely dedicated to this art. But the other German productions and co-productions also made an impression at the festival in Cannes. "A masterpiece", "The sensation of Cannes", "A film of the century" - Mascha Schilinski's SOUND OF FALLING was the first film shown in the Competition and celebrated its premiere on Wednesday, May 14. The film critics celebrated the German director's generational drama and praised its “subtle flair” and “sensitive staging”. The film was a recurring topic of conversation among the festival's trade visitors. The competition jury was also impressed and awarded the Jury Prize to SOUND OF FALLING together with SIRÂT by Óliver Laxe. Mascha Schilinski thanked her team and dedicated the award to all those people who find it difficult or almost impossible to make films. Certainly, Schilinski left an impression far beyond Cannes. MUBI secured the rights for North America during the festival. The short film EROGENESIS by Xandra Popescu was already honored on Friday. The project, which combines video, sculpture, sound and painting, received the Canal+ Award in the Semaine de la Critique section. In her film, director Popescu combines two recurring themes of science fiction: the extinction of species and the possibility of artificially creating life. An overview of all awards for German productions and co-productions can be found here. AMRUM by Fatih Akin impressed in the Première section. The historical drama recounts some of author and director Hark Bohm's memories of his childhood and youth on the North Sea island at the end of the Second World War. Screen Daily described AMRUM as a “subtle, heartbreaking coming-of-age story”, Variety praised the “extraordinary performance by Jasper Billerbeck” as the young Nanning. MIROIRS NO. 3 by Christian Petzold screened in the Quinzaine des cinéastes section. The third film in the trilogy after UNDINE and ROTER HIMMEL also received high praise from the film critics. Petzold once again proves himself to be “a master of economical, minimalist storytelling”, the French press even considers MIROIRS NO. 3 to be “Petzold's best film”. From German Films' point of view, the festival in Cannes was a complete success. The German Pavilion, organized by German Films in cooperation with Focus Germany, was once again an important contact point for national and international filmmakers this year. The two Happy Hours on Thursday and Sunday evening were so well attended that queues even formed at the entrance for a short time.
The reception at Hotel Mondrian, hosted by German Films together with Medienboard MBB, was also very well attended. The presence of the film teams of the German productions and co-productions from the line-up was particularly pleasing. Two of our FACE TO FACE ambassadors were also represented in Cannes: Actress Lea Drinda was part of the cast of the German competition film SOUND OF FALLING and celebrated the acclaimed world premiere at the beginning of the festival. Actor Aaron Altaras presented his new film RAVE ON at the Marché du Film. In addition, there were once again German Films events for the documentary section as well as a special Animation Day with a panel and cocktail hour. The Next Generation Short Tiger screening on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 was completely booked. All of the directors and several cast and crew members attended this international premiere of the program. In cooperation with German Short Film Association - AG Kurzfilm and the festival’s short film initiative SFC | Rendez-vous Industry, German Films offered them a 4-day program of networking opportunities and coaching sessions. After the screening, the filmmakers celebrated together with 500 guests at the traditional and very popular beach party. More info about the films and directors of this year's Next Generation Short Tiger program is available here. The short film DO SOMETHING by Sofija Zivkovic also participated in the Short Film Corner’s “Would You Buy This?” presentation. Together with the German Short Film Association, a selection of films from the Short Film Catalogue’s spring update was available at the Short Film Corner’s viewing library. Members of the international short film industry mingled with German talents at the traditional “Short Film Lounge” together with ARTE. | |
| Once again German Films is returning to the Cines Embajadores for this year's German Film Fest Madrid! Between June 11 and 15, German cinema will be celebrated here in all its diversity and facets. The festival will open on June 11 with Laura Laabs’ directorial debut RED STARS UPON THE FIELD in the presence of the director. We are also pleased to welcome Justine Bauer with SMELL OF BURNT MILK and Dominik Galizia with ROCK'N'ROLL RINGO, which will close the festival on June 15, in Madrid. As every year, we will also be showing a number of outstanding short films from the NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER program. As a representative of the 2024 program, director Hannah Wolny will present her short film GOOD FOR ME to the Spanish audience. Once again, we have also teamed up with the Goethe-Institut Madrid for the festival, which will present a three-part focus series dedicated to the actress and director Nicolette Krebitz. Other highlights in the program include the preview of ADIOS BUENOS AIRES before it will be released to the Spanish cinemas. See the full program:
RED STARS UPON THE FIELD (Laura Laabs)
SMELL OF BURNT MILK (Justine Bauer)
TEACHES OF PEACHES (Philipp Fussenegger & Judy Landkammer)
THE NIGHT IS DARK AND COLDER THAN THE DAY (Christina Friedrich)
BANDITS (Katja von Garnier)
TOMORROW I’LL BE BRAVE (Bernd Sahling)
NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER 2024 (various directors)
WILD (Nicolette Krebitz)
EDGE OF NIGHT (Türker Süer)
THE HEART IS A DARK FOREST (Nicolette Krebitz)
ADIOS BUENOS AIRES (German Kral)
ROCK’N’ROLL RINGO (Dominik Galizia) The program, which consists of a total of 12 feature-length works, will be complemented by three amazing short films by Vuk Jevremovic, Malin Neumann and Martin Schmidt, which will be shown together with selected feature-length films. The festival is organized in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Madrid and the Amigos del Goethe-Institut España, with support from the German Embassy in Madrid and FILMIN. | |
| KINO 2025 started with German films as part of the 44th Istanbul Film Festival (April 11-22) and continued in May (May 13-18) at the Sinematek. Director Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay joined the festival in a live Q&A and presented his film HYSTERIA to the audience. Other guests were: Martin Priessner and Ibrahim Arslan for THE MOELLN LETTERS, Marcin Wierzchowski and Emis Gurbuz for DAS DEUTSCHE VOLK. The film week will be continued in other Turkish cities in the fall. Full list of screened films:
DAS DEUTSE VOLK by Marcin Wierzchowski
HYSTERIA by Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay
THE MOELLN LETTERS by Martina Priessner
RIEFENSTAHL by Andres Veiel
SAD JOKES by Fabian Stumm
SIRENS CALL by Miri Ian Gossing & Lina Sieckmann
RED STARS UPON THE FIELD by Laura Laabs
THE LIGHT by Tom Tykwer
ISLANDS by Jan-Ole Gerster
WHAT MARIELLE KNOWS by Frédéric Hambalek
NO BEAST. SO FIERCE. by Burhan Qurbani
PATERNAL LEAVE by Alissa Jung
KÖLN 75 by Ido Fluk
XOFTEX by Noa Deshe | |
| European Film Promotion (EFP) has elected a new board of directors and welcomes two new members: Lizette Gram Mygind from the Danish Film Institute and Nerina Kocjančič from the Slovenian Film Centre. Simone Baumann, Managing Director of German Films, was re-elected as Vice President. Vitor Manuel Pinheiro from the Instituto do Cinema e do Audiovisual I.P. / ICA (Portugal), who was re-elected to the board, has been appointed as the new EFP president. He succeeds Markéta Santrochová, who served in the role for six years. Four current board members have been re-elected: Simone Baumann from German Films, who continues as EFP Vice President; Daniela Elstner from Unifrance; Petter Mattsson from the Swedish Film Institute; and Rastislav Steranka from the Slovak Film Institute. The EFP board is composed of seven members, each serving a two-year term. EFP promotes European cinema at major international film festivals and markets. Its flagship initiatives include PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE in Cannes, EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS in Berlin, and the Film Sales Support program for international sales companies. EFP’s network comprises 38 film promotion institutes from 37 European countries. The organization is supported by the Creative Europe – MEDIA Program and its member organizations. | |
| From April 18-26, 2025 the International Film Festival took place in Beijing. German films were also represented there. The screening of IN MY PARENTS HOUSE (competition) was accompanied by a Q&A with producer Leopold Pape and director Tim Ellrich on stage. THE LONELY MUSKETEER (Forward Future category) was presented on stage by director Nicolai Schümann. THE LIGHT by Tom Tykwer was part of the GALA section. And last but not least NAWI won the Special Award of the BJIFF organizing committee, which producer Lydia Wrensch and director Tobias Schmutzler received in person. | |
| German Films invites film rights holders to submit their works for consideration as Germany's entry in the 98th OSCAR® competition in the International Feature Film category, which includes feature films, animated films, and documentaries. To be eligible, films must meet the basic requirements set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Find an overview of the rules and regulations here, as well as more information from AMPAS here. Important dates: - The German selection committee will review the film submissions on August 20 + 21, 2025 in Munich
- German Films will notify AMPAS of the German contribution by October 1, 2025 at the latest
The short list of fifteen titles will be published on December 16, 2025 The Oscar® nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026. The Oscar® Awards Ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026 at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood.
Send the electronic registration to German Films by email, to Nicole Kaufmann, kaufmann@german-films.de. The registration deadline is Monday, July 21, 2025, 18:00 CET. | |
| The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) have announced the longlists for the 2025 edition of the BAFTA Student Awards. Ten of the 75 longlisted student short productions are from Germany. In total, 154 schools from 39 countries submitted 1,034 films, games and immersive projects. Finalists in each category will be announced at the end of May, all finalists will be invited to the award ceremony in Los Angeles, more info here. The following German productions were longlisted:
Animation
I AM A FLOWER by Ariel Victor Arthanto (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF)
POLLIWOG (KAULQUAPPE) by Julia Skala (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg)
A SPARROW’S SONG by Tobias Eckerlin (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg)
WHEN OCEAN RISES by Yongxin Wang (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF)
WOODLAND by Emil Pogolski, Jim Obmann, Vanessa Chu (University of Television and Film Munich HFF) Live Action
BETWEEN THE LINES by Niklas Pollmann (AT/DE)
SILENT, ALMOST UNNOTICED (STILL, FAST UNBEMERKT) by Patrick Fleischer, Philine Jo Hammon (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF)
SKIN ON SKIN by Simon Schneckenburger (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg) Documentary
TOUGH MOVES by Jakob Michal (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF) Immersive
WALKING ALONE, TEXT YOU WHEN I’M HOME by Vincent Abert (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF) | |
| The focus of the next session for the English-language KINO! FILM SALON online film club on June 15th will be THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG by Mohammad Rasoulof, which received an Academy Award® nomination in 2025 representing Germany in the International Feature Film category. Our curator Jim Kolmar's curational comment on the movie: "Mohammad Rasoulof's THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG follows Iman (Missagh Zareh), a recently appointed Tehran judge drawn into a complex mystery provoked by the death of a young woman. When Iman's gun goes missing, he begins a fraught, desperate search that implicates his wife Najmeh (Soheila Golestani), and daughters Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). Elegantly poised between blunt political allegory and intimate family drama, the film is a powerful fable, depicting the harsh reality of life under a regime built on obfuscation, corruption and paranoia. Despite the epic runtime, this is an immersive film that grips from the outset. It is well deserving of the multiple awards garnered internationally, including three awards at Cannes Film Festival 2024." German producer Mani Tilgner will join us LIVE, providing background stories and more detailed insights into shooting this outstanding feature film. RSVP here Date and time: Sunday, June 15th at 11:00am – 12:00pm PT, 2:00pm – 3:00pm ET, 8:00pm – 9:00pm CET.
Hosted by Jim Kolmar KINO! FILM SALON is a production by Telescope Film, in collaboration with the German Film Office Trailer here | |
| Episode 81 - June 19, 2025:
It was a pleasure to talk to DoP Tim Kuhn – about filmmaking as a collaborative process, his job in a penguin reserve, an intense experience watching THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST with no way to escape and his love of exploring. And we bonded over a shared frustration at our missing green fingers. And a bonus mention of Olivia Colman. You can find all of the episodes on our website and wherever podcasts are available. SHORT TAKE on Instagram! | |
| Episode 2 - June 3, 2025:
We talked to the indomitable writer-director Petra Volpe about her new film LATE SHIFT (HELDIN), filmmaking as a political act, her favorite quote “fiction is the lie that tells the truth” (by Albert Camus), and how camera positions are micro-dramaturgy. We also got a glimpse of her newest film, a passion project. Episode 3 - June 24, 2025:
Çağdaş Eren Yüksel talked to us about his Grimme Prize winning series, how he became a director and producer despite not having any contacts in the film industry, and how he navigates the world of political storytelling. It was a real pleasure to talk to him. You can find all of the episodes on our website and wherever podcasts are available. DEEP DIVE GENRE on Instagram! | |
| German director Christian Petzold named as Viennale president
Austria’s Viennale film festival has named German filmmaker Christian Petzold as its new president. The role was vacant for six years following the death, in 2019, of Eric Pleskow, who had been president from 1998. As president of the Viennale, Petzold holds its highest position. Eva Sangiorgi, the Viennale’s director, said: “The Viennale has had a long-standing relationship with Christian Petzold and his filmmaking, and I personally feel a profound connection to his cinema. For this reason, it’s a great honor that he is taking over the presidency of the festival. He is such a coherent and consistent director that I’m convinced that he will bring inspiring energy and perspective with him during a time in which conversation about cinema and culture is so complex.” Two German directors shortlisted for the Sony Future Filmmakers Awards 2025
30 films in four categories - fiction, non-fiction, animation, and student - were shortlisted for this year’s third edition of the Sony Future Filmmakers Award. In the fiction category, director Lina Ludwig is nominated with her short film UNDER THE BLUE, co-directed by James Curle. Among the five films shortlisted in the student category is ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, a graduation short by German director Franz Böhm at the National Film and Television School (NFTS). ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS already won the BAFTA Award Best Short Film in February. Nominated directors will participate in a 4-day program in Culver City from June 2-5, 2025, which will culminate with the awards ceremony. More info here.
New German Short Films – Spring catalogue update
29 new fiction, documentary, animation and experimental shorts produced since October 2024 have just been added to the AG Kurzfilm’s online short film catalogue. The new shorts, selected by a jury from suggestions made by members of the AG Kurzfilm (German Short Film Association), include films from the festival line-ups of Berlin, Rotterdam, Nyon, Cannes, Huesca and Annecy, among others. Those interested can search for German short films in the online catalogue using a wide range of functions, keywords, themes, and categories. International film professionals can screen the films online after registering. More than 1,000 short films produced since 2004 are now available for viewing. The latest catalogue update is available here. A selection of the recently added films can also be found on the T-Port Platform for Student and Short Films.
ACE series special 7 – Call for applications
ACE Producers is pleased to announce the call for applications for theACE Series Special 7, with thanks for support from Creative Europe MEDIA and Roma Lazio Film Commission. This will be a hands-on workshop for experienced producers who want to deepen their knowledge of developing and producing TV drama series for an international audience and/or integrate a series division into their companies. The workshop is open to members of the ACE Network or other producers at a similar level. Workshop dates are November 3-8, 2025, deadline for the applications is June 3, 2025. More information can be found here.
German co-production selected for Brussels CoProMarket
The Brussels International Film Festival is organizing the ninth edition of itsBrussels CoProMarket, which will take place on June 23 and 24, 2025, as part of the BRIFF - Brussels International Film Festival (June 20–28, 2025). This year, 14 feature film projects have been selected, including the German-Austrian co-production MARRIAGE BY ABDUCTION by Sophia Mocorrea. More information about the selected projects can be found here. Moreover, registration is now open for professionals wishing to attend the market and/or meet with the project representatives. The registration form is available here.
Franco-German Film Meeting 2025 in Paris
The next Franco-German Film Meeting is in preparation. On October 8 and 9, 2025, visionaries from the French, German and European film industry will once again come together in Paris to discuss current developments and develop joint perspectives for the future. The Franco-German Film Meeting 2025 is organized by German Films, Unifrance and the Franco-German Film Academy. Further information and the program can be found here. Registration deadline is September 15, 2025. Early bird tickets are available until June 30, 2025.
Submissions for the 23rd Doclisboa - Last call
The call for entries of the 23rd Doclisboa, taking place between October 16-26, 2025, are about to close. You have until May 31, 2025, 23:59 GMT+1 to submit / complete your film submissions through the Eventival platform, choosing the appropriate submission form and proceeding to the respective payment of the submission fee. Doclisboa accepts submissions of national and international films of any length, produced after September 2024. More information can be found here.
#DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking - Open call
#DocsConnect is a unique and holistic training initiative designed to empower filmmakers and creative professionals with the tools, mindset, and industry access. Led by award-winning international mentors and developed from 25+ years of experience at Taskovski Films, one of the leading global documentary sales and production companies offer this 3-modul-training. Deadline for the application is June 30. More information and application form can be found here. | |
| Awards for German productions and co-productions at Porto Alegre, Brussels, Beijing and Cannes. | |
| International releases of German films in June 2025 supported by the German Films Distribution Support program: DIRECT ACTION in Austria (Distributor: Filmgarten, World Sales: Shellac, Theatrical Release: June 6, 2025, Grant: 2.000 €)
FALLING INTO PLACE in UK and Ireland (Distributor: Bulldog Film Distribution, World Sales: Global Screen, Theatrical Release: June 6, 2025, Grant: 5.000 €)
FROM HILDE, WITH LOVE in UK and Ireland (Distributor: Picturehouse Entertainment, World Sales: Beta Cinema, Theatrical Release: June 27, 2025, Grant: 12,500 €)
HEIDI: RESCUE OF THE LYNX in Switzerland (Distributor: DCM Film Distribution, World Sales: Studio 100, Theatrical Release: June 26, 2025, Grant: 10.000 €)
HOLLYWOOD GATE in Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia (Distributor: Beldocs, World Sales: Cinephil, Theatrical Release: June 14, 2025, Grant: 6,000 €)
KÖLN 75 in France (Distributor: Metropolitan Filmexport, World Sales: Bankside, Theatrical Release: June 25, 2025, Loan: 20.000 €)
LEONORA IN THE MORNING LIGHT in Mexico (Distributor: Piano Distribución, World Sales: Indie Sales, Theatrical Release: June 19, 2025, Grant: 8.000 €)
TWO TO ONE in Brazil (Distributor: Synapse Distribution, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: June 12, 2025, Grant: 5,000 €)
TWO TO ONE in Ukraine (Distributor: Traffic Films, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: June 26, 2025, Grant: 2,000 €)
WOW! MESSAGE FROM OUTER SPACE in Croatia (Distributor: Radar, World Sales: The Playmaker Munich, Theatrical Release: June 12, 2025, Grant: 3.000 €) Please note: Correct at time of going to press. Changes may occur at any time. | |
| Contact:
Angela Sonntag (Head of Press & Public Relations) | |
| German Films Service + Marketing GmbH
Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße 16
80331 München/Deutschland Tel +49-89-59 97 87-0
Fax +49-89-59 97 87-30 | |
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