KinoFest - German Film Festival

SAT 2 - SUN 10 NOV

In collaboration with the Goethe-Institut New Zealand, this is a unique insight into Germany's current diverse film production with a special opening night event on Sat 2 Nov.

Watch the Festival trailer here

GLOBAL TIES, PERSONAL JOURNEYS

Kinofest 2024 aims to highlight cinema's role in bridging cultural gaps, creating a shared space for empathy and pleasure, and reflecting the evolving tapestry of German society and beyond.

The films in the programme explore Germany as a country with a growingly diverse and complex society, striving to embrace this reality by representing multiple voices, particularly through its younger population.

Filmmakers from varied backgrounds introduce new storytelling methods and unpack imaginations by using computer graphics or moving paintings to creatively fabulate the past. Kinofest features films documenting real stories of collective loss, pain, growth, purpose, and community formation. The programme also includes fiction films of disfavored romances, mysteries, moral dilemmas, and friendships, providing a glimpse of recent successful festival and cinema releases. 

Cinema offers ways to connect and highlight diverse voices, a space this festival aims to provide

 

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791 KM - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

791 KM Opening night film!

Due to a train cancellation, 5 people with very different backgrounds work through their own personal traumas as they share a Taxi ride from Munich to Hamburg.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Tobi Baumann, starring Nilam Farooq, Iris Berben, Ben Muenchow, Joachim Król, lena Urzendowsky

791 KM - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

791 KM Opening night film!

Due to a train cancellation, 5 people with very different backgrounds work through their own personal traumas as they share a Taxi ride from Munich to Hamburg.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Tobi Baumann, starring Nilam Farooq, Iris Berben, Ben Muenchow, Joachim Król, lena Urzendowsky
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Die Theorie von Allem / Universal Theory-KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Die Theorie Von Allem / The Universal Theory

This German Hitchcock homage takes a dusty science conference in the Swiss mountain peaks to absurd heights. Nothing is what it seems in this enigmatic black-and-white pastiche. Can quantum mechanics bring order to a chaotic universe?

Paolo Bertolin, artistic director at NZIFF wrote about the film:
"A pure cinephile delight presented in sumptuous black and white, Timm Kröger’s The Universal Theory is a superb take on multiverse storytelling. (...) Richly referencing classic cinema, from Hitchcock to Fassbinder, Welles to Lynch, film noir to German mountain films of the 1920s, French New Wave to Italian giallo, Timm Kröger creates a bewildering puzzle that is fully original, suspenseful and visually mesmerizing. But at the heart of what could have been a mere cinematic pastiche is a sublime poetic vision manifesting itself in what ultimately is a heart-wrenching love story."

Die Theorie von Allem / Universal Theory-KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Die Theorie Von Allem / The Universal Theory

This German Hitchcock homage takes a dusty science conference in the Swiss mountain peaks to absurd heights. Nothing is what it seems in this enigmatic black-and-white pastiche. Can quantum mechanics bring order to a chaotic universe?

Paolo Bertolin, artistic director at NZIFF wrote about the film:
"A pure cinephile delight presented in sumptuous black and white, Timm Kröger’s The Universal Theory is a superb take on multiverse storytelling. (...) Richly referencing classic cinema, from Hitchcock to Fassbinder, Welles to Lynch, film noir to German mountain films of the 1920s, French New Wave to Italian giallo, Timm Kröger creates a bewildering puzzle that is fully original, suspenseful and visually mesmerizing. But at the heart of what could have been a mere cinematic pastiche is a sublime poetic vision manifesting itself in what ultimately is a heart-wrenching love story."
MORE / TRAILER

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Checker Tobi und die Reise zu den fliegenden Flues

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Checker Tobi has to travel around the world to find his friend Marina. - The popular KIKA presenter Checker Tobi receives a mysterious treasure chest. Shortly afterwards, he sets off in search of the key that opens it. This is in the possession of his best friend. But where is the globetrotter? His adventurous journey takes him to the famous Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, across the wild South China Sea, to the Mongolian Steppe and on to the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest. Can he solve the mystery of the treasure chest and the flying rivers? Packed with breathtaking imagery, this documentary adventure film is an unforgettable cinematic experience for the entire family.

Age rating: Recommended for ages 6 and up

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Johannes Honsell, starring Tobias Krell, Marina M. Blanke, Klaas Heufer-Umlauf

Checker Tobi und die Reise zu den fliegenden Flues

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Checker Tobi has to travel around the world to find his friend Marina. - The popular KIKA presenter Checker Tobi receives a mysterious treasure chest. Shortly afterwards, he sets off in search of the key that opens it. This is in the possession of his best friend. But where is the globetrotter? His adventurous journey takes him to the famous Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, across the wild South China Sea, to the Mongolian Steppe and on to the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest. Can he solve the mystery of the treasure chest and the flying rivers? Packed with breathtaking imagery, this documentary adventure film is an unforgettable cinematic experience for the entire family.

Age rating: Recommended for ages 6 and up

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Johannes Honsell, starring Tobias Krell, Marina M. Blanke, Klaas Heufer-Umlauf
MORE / TRAILER

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Das Lehrerzimmer / The Teacher's Lounge - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Das Lehrerzimmer / The Teacher's Lounge

Carla Nowak, a dedicated sports and math teacher, starts her first job at a high school. She stands out among the new staff because of her idealism. When a series of thefts occur at the school and one of her students is suspected, she decides to get to the bottom of the matter on her own. Carla tries to mediate between outraged parents, opinionated colleagues and aggressive students, but is relentlessly confronted with the structures of the school system. The more desperately she tries to do everything right, the more the young teacher threatens to break.

Das Lehrerzimmer / The Teacher's Lounge - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Das Lehrerzimmer / The Teacher's Lounge

Carla Nowak, a dedicated sports and math teacher, starts her first job at a high school. She stands out among the new staff because of her idealism. When a series of thefts occur at the school and one of her students is suspected, she decides to get to the bottom of the matter on her own. Carla tries to mediate between outraged parents, opinionated colleagues and aggressive students, but is relentlessly confronted with the structures of the school system. The more desperately she tries to do everything right, the more the young teacher threatens to break.
MORE / TRAILER

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Landrauschen - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Landrauschen

After years Toni and Rosa meet again in their old home village in southern Germany. While the village itself has to adapt to the changes of the future, the two women develop an explosive relationship until they reach a point, where both have to make a decision.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Lisa Miller, starring Kathi Wolf, Nadine Sauter, Heidi Walcher

Landrauschen - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Landrauschen

After years Toni and Rosa meet again in their old home village in southern Germany. While the village itself has to adapt to the changes of the future, the two women develop an explosive relationship until they reach a point, where both have to make a decision.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Lisa Miller, starring Kathi Wolf, Nadine Sauter, Heidi Walcher
MORE / TRAILER

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Die Odyssee / The Odyssey - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Die Odyssee / The Odyssey

When a small village is plundered, a family is forced to flee. The two oldest children, Kyona and Adriel, are quickly separated from their parents facing the road of exile alone. They embark on a heroic journey which takes them from childhood to adolescence in search of shelter and peace.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Florence Miailhe, starring (voice cast) Emilie Lan Dürr, Florence Miailhe, Maxime Gemin

Die Odyssee / The Odyssey - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Die Odyssee / The Odyssey

When a small village is plundered, a family is forced to flee. The two oldest children, Kyona and Adriel, are quickly separated from their parents facing the road of exile alone. They embark on a heroic journey which takes them from childhood to adolescence in search of shelter and peace.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Florence Miailhe, starring (voice cast) Emilie Lan Dürr, Florence Miailhe, Maxime Gemin
MORE / TRAILER

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She Chef - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Austrian culinary world champion Agnes Karrasch travels from luxury kitchen to luxury kitchen, learning from the best chefs in the world and developing her own style.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Melanie Liebheit and Gereon Wetzel, starringAgnes Karrasch, Dennis Melzer, Joachim Wissler

She Chef - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Austrian culinary world champion Agnes Karrasch travels from luxury kitchen to luxury kitchen, learning from the best chefs in the world and developing her own style.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Melanie Liebheit and Gereon Wetzel, starringAgnes Karrasch, Dennis Melzer, Joachim Wissler
MORE / TRAILER

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Liebe Angst / Dear Fear - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Liebe Angst / Dear Fear

An inescapable family tragedy spanning three generations.
Kim has her music. Kim has her dogs. Kim has her faith. Kim struggles, every day: with anxiety, for a bit of normality, to stand on her own two feet. Kim's mother, Lore, was deported to Auschwitz at the age of six. To this day, Lore is a DP, a displaced person. Lore has her index cards. From morning till night, she transcribes articles from the daily newspaper, archiving them in boxes and baskets. All her life, Lore has been silent: about her mother, about the hiding place where she survived, about Tom, her son, Kim's brother, who took his own life. Kim instead wants to talk: about her childhood with Lore, about Tom, about the scarred lives they both lead. There is a lot of anger, a lot of strength, and a love between mother and daughter that was always there but could not be expressed.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Sandra Prechtel, starring Kim Seligsohn, Lore Kübler

Liebe Angst / Dear Fear - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Liebe Angst / Dear Fear

An inescapable family tragedy spanning three generations.
Kim has her music. Kim has her dogs. Kim has her faith. Kim struggles, every day: with anxiety, for a bit of normality, to stand on her own two feet. Kim's mother, Lore, was deported to Auschwitz at the age of six. To this day, Lore is a DP, a displaced person. Lore has her index cards. From morning till night, she transcribes articles from the daily newspaper, archiving them in boxes and baskets. All her life, Lore has been silent: about her mother, about the hiding place where she survived, about Tom, her son, Kim's brother, who took his own life. Kim instead wants to talk: about her childhood with Lore, about Tom, about the scarred lives they both lead. There is a lot of anger, a lot of strength, and a love between mother and daughter that was always there but could not be expressed.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Sandra Prechtel, starring Kim Seligsohn, Lore Kübler
MORE / TRAILER

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Im Toten Winkel / In the Blind Spot - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Im Toten Winkel / In the Blind Spot

In a Turkish village, a German film crew begins shooting a documentary about the forced disappearances of young Kurdish men. As the crew navigates the tense landscape, their story takes a sinister turn

In German, Kurdsch, Turkish with English subtitles

Directed by Ayşe Polat, starring Katja Bürkle, Aybi Era, Ahmet Varli

Im Toten Winkel / In the Blind Spot - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Im Toten Winkel / In the Blind Spot

In a Turkish village, a German film crew begins shooting a documentary about the forced disappearances of young Kurdish men. As the crew navigates the tense landscape, their story takes a sinister turn

In German, Kurdsch, Turkish with English subtitles

Directed by Ayşe Polat, starring Katja Bürkle, Aybi Era, Ahmet Varli
MORE / TRAILER

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Sieger Sein / Winners - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Sieger Sein / Winners

Mona, a Syrian refugee in Berlin, joins a competitive girls' football team where she learns the value of teamwork for success.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Soleen Yusef, starring Dileyla Agirman, Andreas Döhler, Sherine Merai

Sieger Sein / Winners - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Sieger Sein / Winners

Mona, a Syrian refugee in Berlin, joins a competitive girls' football team where she learns the value of teamwork for success.

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Soleen Yusef, starring Dileyla Agirman, Andreas Döhler, Sherine Merai
MORE / TRAILER

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Herzsprung - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Herzsprung

The little East German town of Herzsprung, in the middle of nowhere, shortly after German unification in 1990. Johanna, a young mother and widow, loses her job and falls in love with an African-German. However, racism and resentment lead to a dramatic escalation of events.

Screening on 9 November to mark the 35th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Helke Misselwitz, starring Claudia Geisler, Günter Lamprecht, Eva-Maria Hagen, Nino Sandow, Tatjana Besson, Ben Becker, Hanns Zischler

Herzsprung - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Herzsprung

The little East German town of Herzsprung, in the middle of nowhere, shortly after German unification in 1990. Johanna, a young mother and widow, loses her job and falls in love with an African-German. However, racism and resentment lead to a dramatic escalation of events.

Screening on 9 November to mark the 35th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

In German with English subtitles

Directed by Helke Misselwitz, starring Claudia Geisler, Günter Lamprecht, Eva-Maria Hagen, Nino Sandow, Tatjana Besson, Ben Becker, Hanns Zischler
MORE / TRAILER

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Shahid - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Shahid

A political drama and a desperate comedy at the same time, SHAHID is a personal film that questions all kinds of radical ideologies and doesn't always take itself too seriously.
Narges Shahid Kalhor is a director seeking to be rid of the “Shahid” (martyrs), who are too heavy a burden. From Bavarian bureaucracy and therapy to dancing with Iran’s past generations and their long shadows, she twirls through a heady autofiction.


In German with English subtitles

Directed by Narges Kalhor, starring Baharak Abdolifard, Nima Nazarinia, Thomas Sprekelsen, Carine Huber

Shahid - KinoFest

Part of KinoFest German Film Festival 2-10 November 2024

Shahid

A political drama and a desperate comedy at the same time, SHAHID is a personal film that questions all kinds of radical ideologies and doesn't always take itself too seriously.
Narges Shahid Kalhor is a director seeking to be rid of the “Shahid” (martyrs), who are too heavy a burden. From Bavarian bureaucracy and therapy to dancing with Iran’s past generations and their long shadows, she twirls through a heady autofiction.


In German with English subtitles

Directed by Narges Kalhor, starring Baharak Abdolifard, Nima Nazarinia, Thomas Sprekelsen, Carine Huber
MORE / TRAILER