KinoFest 2024 brings latest of German cinema to Southeast Asia and the Pacific

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Goethe-Institut is organising its third edition of the annual German film festival, KinoFest, scheduled to run throughout September to November 2024. KinoFest 2024 will take place in various cities across Southeast Asia and the Pacific region, showcasing the most recent films with a variety of genres ranging from documentary, adventure, drama, comedy, animation, to thriller.

In Manila, the KinoFest 2024 can be enjoyed free of charge from September 26 to 28, 2024 at the Shangri-La Plaza, Red Carpet Cinemas, Cinema 3. The festival will feature seven (7) new German films alongside a special curated program, KinoFest Special, which honors Germany’s cinematic connections with the Philippines and includes four (4) short films and one (1) feature-length film.

Under the theme of “Global Ties, Personal Journeys”, Kinofest 2024 takes youth as a focal point to experience society, both through fictional and documentary characters. Through their eyes, the audience is invited to learn about the journey of self-discovery, navigating changes in countries and cultures, as young people shape their identities and become more independent.

"KinoFest features films documenting real stories of collective loss, pain, growth, purpose, and community formation. This cinema reflects the challenges of contemporary German society, grappling with its traumatic past and the history of violent reactions to migrants. The program includes films that connect globally, with each personal journey offering insights into migration, disability, and gender challenges," said Dr Ingo Schöningh, Regional Head of Cultural Programmes at Goethe-Institut Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Lisabona Rahman, the curator of KinoFest 2024, added, “The world continues to develop different ties that bind it together, yet each journey is personal, situated within starkly contrasting realities that grow stronger each day. Cinema proposes ways to connect and to take notice of voices from different positions, and this is precisely the space we want to offer through this festival.

KinoFest 2024 is a joint production involving eight Goethe-Instituts in Southeast Asia and New Zealand, showcasing the latest German films released from 2021 to 2024. This year, the festival will be held in cities in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.

In Manila, the KinoFest kicks off on September 26 at 6pm at the Shangri-La Plaza, Red Carpet Cinemas, Cinema 3 with the 2023 release “The Zone of Interest”, followed by a reception which is open to the public. The film, which won the Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards, tells the story of the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife, Hedwig, as they strive to build a dream life for their family in a house right next to the concentration and extermination camp he helped create.

Aside from the screenings, KinoFest in Manila also presents the KinoFest Special: Cinematic Connection with the Philippines on September 28, 2024, at Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet Cinemas.

This special program celebrates the rich collaborations between the Philippines and Germany, showcasing their shared cinematic history and creative partnerships. The event begins with a panel discussion featuring Filipino filmmakers Cris Bringas, Moira Lang, and Alex Poblete, moderated by Mariah Reodica. This will be followed by screenings of five curated films, and an after-party with DJane and sound artist T33G33.

The KinoFest in Manila is made possible through the partnership with the Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet Cinemas and the support of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Detailed

information about KinoFest 2024 can be accessed at www.goethe.de/manila/kinofest.