Goethe-Institut is organizing the second edition of the annual German film festival, KinoFest, scheduled to run throughout September to November 2023. After an online debut last year, KinoFest 2023 is returning in an offline format, taking place in various cities across Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. KinoFest 2023 will be held in cities in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.
KinoFest is a joint production involving eight Goethe-Instituts in Southeast Asia, showcasing the latest films released from 2021 to 2023. “This year, KinoFest features a diverse selection of German films, including dramas, documentaries, comedies, fiction, and thrillers. These films touch on important themes such as interconnections, immigrations, and entanglements,” said Dr. Ingo Schöningh, Regional Head of Cultural Programs at Goethe-Institut Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Gugi Gumilang, the curator of KinoFest 2023, added, “The curation of KinoFest departs from the idea to show that German cinema is a rich and diverse tapestry of influences and voices that reflect the country’s complex history and its evolving cultural landscape.”
In Manila, the KinoFest kicks off on October 19 at 6pm at Gateway Cineplex Cinema 6 with the 2023 release “Sun and Concrete” (Sonne und Beton). The second screening of the film on October 22 at 3pm will be followed by a Q&A session with the director, David Wnendt, and the author of the book on which the film is based, Felix Lobrecht.
The screenings of other films will follow from October 20 to 22 at the Gateway Cineplex 10 Cinemas 6 and 7. A total of 7 new German films will be screened along with 4 Experimental films from Germany and the Philippines by Khavn Dela Cruz.
Tickets to the KinoFest 2023 are priced at 200 PHP for all films with regular discounts applicable for students, senior citizens, and PWDs. The opening night on October 19 is free and open to all on a first-come-first-served basis while tickets for the rest of the Manila screenings may be purchased at the cinema counters of Gateway Cineplex 10, via the Gateway Cineplex 10 website, or via the Araneta City App.
The KinoFest in Manila is made possible through the partnership with Gateway Mall and the support of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.