In her opening remarks, German Ambassador to Vietnam Helga Margarete emphasized that cinema serves as a bridge connecting people, cultures, and generations.

According to the ambassador, Vietnamese audiences will not only gain insights into German society through works by renowned German directors but also enjoy films by German-Vietnamese filmmakers such as Mani Pham Bui and Hien Nguyen.

The festival opened with the screening of Roter Himmel on October 30 in Hanoi. Directed by Christian Petzold, the film won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). It follows four young people gathering at a seaside holiday home, exploring the delicate balance between creativity and desire, humor and melancholy, according to the Goethe-Institut in Vietnam.

KinoFest 2025 will also feature other acclaimed titles, including Vena, winner of the Deutsche Kinoproduktionen Award at Filmfest Hamburg 2024; Late Shift, which earned the 2025 German Camera Award at Kino Spielfilm; and Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights, a children’s film. All films are screened with both English and Vietnamese subtitles.

The festival took place in Ho Chi Minh City from October 21 to 27 before opening in Hanoi’s National Cinema Centre from October 30 to November 2. This year, KinoFest extends beyond Hanoi, HCM City, Hue, Can Tho, and Da Lat to reach Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, and Da Nang.

The event is part of a string of activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Germany.

Annual German film festival KinoFest to return to Vietnam

VOV.VN - Goethe Institute’s annual German film festival KinoFest will come back to local audiences in Vietnam from October 10 to November 30, showcasing recent award-winning films from German cinema.