The first highlights of the 2025 HSBC German Film Festival have been announced, showcasing a diverse program of German cinema.
Palace, in collaboration with German Films, has revealed an exciting lineup featuring acclaimed dramas, timely documentaries, comedies and family films. The festival will run from 30 April to 28 May at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas across Australia.
2025 HSBC German Film Festival
- Canberra – Palace Electric – 30 April to 21 May
- Sydney – Palace Norton Street, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central, Palace Moore Park – 1 May to 21 May
- Melbourne – Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, The Astor Theatre, Pentridge Cinema, Palace Penny Lane – 2 May to 21 May
- Ballarat – Palace Regent Ballarat – 2 May to 21 May
- Brisbane – Palace James St, Palace Barracks – 7 May to 28 May
- Adelaide – Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas – 7 May to 28 May
- Perth – Luna Leederville, Luna on SX & Palace Raine Square – 8 May to 28 May
- Byron Bay and Ballina – Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas – 8 May to 28 May
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A festival highlight is the Special Presentation of Riefenstahl, a documentary by celebrated filmmaker Andres Veiel. With unprecedented access to Leni Riefenstahl’s private estate, Veiel explores the legacy of the controversial 20th century filmmaker known for the Nazi propaganda film Triumph of the Will. The documentary features remarkable archival material and footage of Riefenstahl, who consistently denied close ties to the Nazi regime.
Australian audiences will have the opportunity to engage directly with Riefenstahl’s director, as Andres Veiel will be attending the festival for a series of Q&A events in selected cities.
Fresh from the Berlin International Film Festival, Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s thriller Hysteria takes the position of Festival Centrepiece. This piercing reflection on the power of images and the dynamics of perception features European cinema rising star Devrim Lingnau as an assistant director intern caught in a dangerous web of secrets, lies and paranoia.
Sandra Hüller leads an all-star cast including Ronald Zehrfeld, Peter Kurth and Max Riemelt in the German box office hit Two to One (Zwei zu eins), which serves as the festival’s second Special Presentation. Based on incredible true events, this light-hearted comedy follows East Germans in 1990 who exploit the chaotic economic situation to orchestrate an entertaining heist of soon-to-be-worthless East German marks.
The festival also brings acclaimed auteur Matthias Glasner’s compelling drama Dying, which became a sensation at last year’s Berlinale. Led by the incredible Lars Eidinger, the film centers on a successful, middle-aged orchestra conductor navigating his volatile private life between Berlin and Hamburg. Critics have described the film, which treads the line between drama, tragedy and black humour, as “an indelible, richly rewarding experience.”
Families can enjoy selections from the popular ‘Kino for Kids’ sidebar, presented by the Goethe-Institut Australia. Winners (Sieger Sein), which received the 2024 German Film Award for Best Children’s Film, tells the uplifting story of eleven-year-old Syrian refugee Mona whose football talent is discovered. The film explores themes of resilience, teamwork, friendship and belonging.
Other family-friendly options include The Chaos Sisters and Penguin Paul (Die Chaosschwestern und Pinguin Paul), adapted from a popular book series about four sisters working together to save a kidnapped dancing penguin, and The Door-to-Door Bookstore (Der Buchspazierer), a charming ode to books and readers based on Carsten Henn’s best-selling novel.
The full program will be announced and tickets will go on sale in early April.
For more information, head here.
