THE Goethe-Institut proudly presents the fourth edition of its annual German film festival KinoFest, which will take place across Southeast Asia and the Pacific from October to November 2025.
KinoFest 2025 will offer a diverse lineup spanning documentary, adventure, drama, comedy, animation, and thrillers. In Manila, screenings will be held from October 16 to 19 at the Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet’s Cinema 3 and Premiere Cinema.
This year’s festival will showcase eight contemporary German films and five Filipino short films, fostering a vibrant exchange between two dynamic cinema cultures. The selections revolve around themes of memory, reimagining, and the confrontation of perspectives, while also exploring family, belonging, and care. Together, they invite audiences to reflect on personal ties, collective histories, and the power of cinema to connect communities across borders.
The Manila opening night on October 16 at 6 p.m. presents the 2024 release Riefenstahl-a provocative documentary that revisits the controversial life and enduring legacy of filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl. Blending rare archival material with contemporary perspectives, the film confronts tensions between artistic brilliance and political propaganda, asking how cinema can both shape and distort history.
The screening will be followed by a hybrid Q and A with renowned producer Sandra Maischberger which will offer audiences the chance to reflect on one of the most debated figures in film history. Riefenstahl is presented in German with English subtitles.
The Manila screenings will conclude with another international exchange on October 19 at 5 p.m., as producer Svenja Vanhoeffer of the German film Vena joins audiences for an in-person talkback session. She will share her insights on the making of the movie and on contemporary German cinema.
KinoFest 2025 is jointly organized by eight Goethe-Instituts in Southeast Asia and New Zealand. It is made possible in Manila through the partnership with Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet Cinemas under the Culture in Focus program, with support from the Film Development Council of the Philippines. For full program details, visit http://www.goethe.de/manila/kinofest.
The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institute, promoting the study of the German language abroad, and encouraging international cultural exchange.