In November 2026, Ukraine will host the 32nd "New German Cinema" festival, presenting a comprehensive selection of contemporary German films. The program includes five diverse features, ranging from international festival winners and new works by acclaimed directors to immersive projects featuring global stars.
Opening Film and Major Festival Winners
The festival will open with a joint work by Wolfgang Becker, known for "Good Bye, Lenin!", and Achim von Borris, who worked on the series "Babylon Berlin". The plot follows an inconspicuous former railway worker who accidentally saved 127 people from East Berlin, after which journalists turn him into a national hero, forcing him to hide the truth. The crown jewel of the program is İlker Çatak's film, which won the Golden Bear at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival. The movie tells the story of Turkish theater figures who become targets for the system after an incident at a premiere and must choose between their principles and survival.
Historical Dramas and Large-Scale Film Performances
A special place in the program is held by the new historical drama from Oscar-winning director Paweł Pawlikowski, depicting the return of writer Thomas Mann to a divided Germany in the summer of 1949. Against the backdrop of the Cold War, the two newly formed German states begin competing for the right to present the writer as a symbol of their nation. Another prominent event is Julian Rosefeldt's film performance "Euphoria", partially shot in Kyiv shortly before the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The choreography involved Radu Poklitaru's troupe, and one of the central characters—a tiger—is voiced by Cate Blanchett, reflecting on the power of money and consumerism in empty supermarkets.
Immersive Cinema and Special Screenings
Documentary lovers will be able to appreciate Wim Wenders' three-dimensional project about Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, utilizing advanced 3D technology for full immersion into the spaces he created. Additionally, on November 20, audiences will enjoy a special screening of F.W. Murnau's classic silent film "Faust" accompanied by a new soundtrack created by Ukrainian artist undo despot.
Screening Geography and Cultural Significance
In Kyiv, screenings will run from November 12 to 18 at the Zhovtten and Kino 42 cinemas. Beyond the capital, festival screenings will take place in Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Chernivtsi, with exact dates to be announced by the organizers. The event aims to strengthen cultural ties and introduce Ukrainian audiences to current trends in European art house cinema.
