Palace in collaboration with German Films has today announced the first highlights of the 2025 HSBC German Film Festival, screening nationally from 30 April – 28 May. The festival returns to Brisbane 7 May – 28 May, exclusively at Palace James St and Barracks Cinemas.
This year’s dynamic line-up of contemporary German cinema, a number arriving direct from the 2025 Berlinale, includes thought-provoking dramas, insightful and timely documentaries, delightful comedy and charming family films. The 2025 HSBC German Film Festival takes place across the country at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas.
A Special Presentation at this year’s festival is the highly acclaimed documentary RIEFENSTAHL directed by celebrated filmmaker Andres Veiel. Having gained unprecedented access to the private estate of 20th century filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, Veiel explores the legacy of the woman who became world-famous with her Nazi propaganda film Triumph of the Will. This insightful documentary draws on incredible archival material and footage from Riefenstahl, who continually denied any close ties to the Nazi regime.
The festival is thrilled to be welcoming RIEFENSTAHL director Andres Veiel to Australia, where he will be participating in a series of Q&A events in selected cities.
The 2025 Festival Centrepiece arriving directly from the recent Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) is Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s thriller HYSTERIA. A piercing reflection on the power of images and the dynamics of perception, projection and social hysteria, the film features one of European cinema’s rising stars Devrim Lingnau as an assistant director intern who is drawn into a dangerous game of secrets, lies and paranoia on a film set when a burned Quran is discovered.
In the second Special Presentation of the Festival, Sandra Hüller leads an all-star cast including Ronald Zehrfeld, Peter Kurth and Max Riemelt in German box office hit TWO TO ONE (Zwei zu eins). Based on incredible true events, the film follows a group of East Germans in 1990 who take advantage of the chaotic economic situation in East Germany to pull off a highly entertaining heist of soon-to-be-worthless East German marks in this lighthearted comedy with its heart in the right place.
A sensation at last year’s Berlinale, celebrated auteur Matthias Glasner’s compelling drama DYING assembles an all- star cast led by the incredible Lars Eidinger. Set between Berlin and Hamburg, Eidinger stars as a successful, middle- aged orchestra conductor negotiating the chaos of his volatile private life. Treading the line between drama, tragedy and black humour, DYING has been described as an indelible, richly rewarding experience.
From the popular ‘Kino for Kids’ sidebar, presented by the Goethe-Institut Australia, is a delightful selection of films for the whole family to enjoy. Winner of the 2024 German Film Award for Best Children’s Film, WINNERS (Sieger Sein) tells the story of eleven-year-old Mona, a refugee from Syria, whose talent for football is discovered. An uplifting coming-of-age story, WINNERS explores the importance of resilience, teamwork, friendship, and belonging.
Enchanting documentary CIRCUSBOY (Zirkuskind), direct from the 2025 Berlinale Generation K-Plus selection, chronicles the lives of the Frank travelling circus family over one year, capturing eleven-year-old Santino’s experience growing up among extended family and animals, in a world of storytelling.
THE CHAOS SISTERS AND PENGUIN PAUL (Die Chaosschwestern und Pinguin Paul) is adapted from the popular book series and follows four sisters who must work together to save a dancing penguin who has been kidnapped from the local zoo.
Lastly, based on the best-selling novel by Carsten Henn is THE DOOR-TO-DOOR BOOKSTORE (Der Buchspazierer). Inspired by a real bookstore in Aachen, The Door-to-Door Bookstore is a charming and heartfelt ode to books and readers.
The 2025 HSBC German Film Festival will take place from 30 April – 28 May!
The full programme will be announced and tickets will be on sale early April. Listing details:
Canberra: 30 April – 21 May, Palace Electric
Sydney: 1 May – 21 May, Palace Norton Street, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central, Palace Moore Park
Melbourne: 2 May – 21 May, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, The Astor Theatre, Pentridge Cinema, Palace Penny Lane
Ballarat: 2 May – 21 May, Palace Regent Ballarat
Brisbane: 7 May – 28 May, Palace James St, Palace Barracks
Adelaide: 7 May – 28 May, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 8 May – 28 May, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX & Palace Raine Square
Byron Bay and Ballina: 8 May – 28 May, Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
www.germanfilmfestival.com.au
