The programme of the 37 Filmfest Dresden finalised – as invitation to discover and powerful sign of solidarity and togetherness
More than 380 Short Films from 61 Countries // Focus: Let’s Stick Together! // Tribute: Chemnitz Total // Masterclass with Tomer Eshed // Start of Ticket Sales
The 37 Filmfest Dresden is inviting film fans to a wide-ranging short film experience in Dresden, the capital city of Saxony, from 8 to 13 April 2025. More than 380 films from 61 countries are being presented in three Competition sections and 32 special programmes, inspired by this year’s thematic focus of “Let’s Stick Together!”. In addition to the film screenings at 15 festival locations in Dresden – including Schloßplatz with its free Short Film Open Air programme – the audiences can look forward to highly diverse special festival programmes with panel discussions, a masterclass and events for media professionals and interested members of the public. The Awards Ceremony represents the festival highlight and is being held on 12 April, at which the 17 “Holden Horsemen” and special prizes worth a total of €70,500 are being awarded. Festival tickets can now be purchased, and initial impressions gained at the traditional Programme Preview screening in the Thalia cinema on 3 April 2025 at 19:00.
This Year’s Filmfest Dresden
Again this year's Filmfest Dresden is inviting film enthusiasts to enjoy a completely diverse programme with more than 380 short films. The focus is traditionally on the International, National and Central German Competition. A total of 67 entries from 34 countries are competing for 17 awards with total prizemoney of €70,500.
One new addition is the Audience Award in the Central German Competition, endowed with €500 and sponsored by Jens Roth – rothcoaching. Moreover, the Dresden film production company Balance Film is as co-sponsor supporting the Golden Horseman Animated Film award in the National Competition. At the festival’s Awards Ceremony on Saturday, 12 April, eight independent juries are awarding a total of 14 prizes and awards, further to the three Audience Awards.
The 2025 Short Film Open Air events at Schloßplatz are screening thanks to the kind support of the schickschön GmbH & Co. KG event technology company, the MDR – Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk – public broadcaster and the Dresden State Capital.
At the same time, Filmfest Dresden is facing major financial challenges this year. The massive savings being implemented in the cultural sector are already making themselves felt – not least in the reduced prizemoney.
Festival Director Anne Gaschütz: “The drastic cutbacks in the cultural, youth and social sectors are also hitting our film festival hard. On the Dresden city level, funding cuts of almost 10% are looming, while at the federal state level, cutbacks of up to 30% could become reality. In addition this year, we have not received any funding at all from the Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Saxon due to the tight financial situation.
The final amount of funding provided by the federal state will not be known until the summer, or in other words, after this year’s festival. In a worst-case scenario, we are facing budget cuts of over 100,000 euros – with grim consequences for our programme and our very existence.
Yet for that, culture is essential for our social unity. Which makes solidarity all the more important right now – between cultural professionals, as well as with other affected sectors and with our audiences. Because we are only able to maintain a diverse cultural landscape by sticking together. And we are appealing to the politicians to reconsider the planned cuts and ensure that reliable funding remains in place for culture in Saxony.”
Thematic Focus “Let’s Stick Together!”
With four programmes – compiled together with guest curators – Filmfest Dresden is shedding light on this year’s thematic focus of “Let’s Stick Together!” The cinematic works in “Focus 1: WeAct” are exploring the ecological crises caused by global capitalism and outlining potential solutions. As such they are issuing an invitation to a constructive exchange as we face the climate crisis together and shape a future worth living.
The films in “Focus 2: Tongues (Re)United”, curated by the Chinese filmmaker Popo Fan, are addressing language barriers, exploring the power of language and revealing diverse forms of solidarity. The focus here is on Europeans in China, as well as on Asians in Europe and the USA – while the Gaza conflict also finds its place in this multilayered programme.
With five films curated by Lisa Smith (formerly with the RomaTrial e.V. organisation and platform), “Focus 3: The Romani Gaze” is aiming to set the record straight on the biased image of Rom*nja people in film. The works recount the diversity and humanity of Rom*nja life and thematise discrimination, expulsion and police violence. Yet their voices refuse to be silenced – with these films as acts of resistance and truth.
The “Focus 4: Home – Is Us, Not a Place” programme, created in cooperation with the actress and filmmaker Benita Sarah Bailey, combines the concepts of solidarity and home. The films explore what home means to people whose history is characterised by colonialism, migration and resistance.
Tribute: Chemnitz Total – The Bizarre World of the Chemnitz Filmworkshop
During the festival, Filmfest Dresden is honouring the Chemnitz Filmworkshop with the special short film programme entitled “Tribute: Chemnitz Total”. Since 1991, the Filmworkshop has provided creative filmmakers with a playful platform for bold experiments – free from commercial pressure. Unconventional works, captivating stories and visionary projects are created here, enriching the German media landscape. At the same time, the Filmworkshop is a driving force contributing significantly to making Chemnitz evermore vibrant as the European Capital of Culture in 2025. The programme has been curated by Olaf Held – a freelance director, dramatic advisor and screenwriter, as well as a longstanding author and director with MDR TV’s short film magazine UNICATO. He has also been a member of the selection committee for the Central German Competition since 2023.
Programme Highlights: Late-Night Specials “Cinema Digestif”, Short Film Bingo, Matinee with Checker Julian: In Fritzi’s Footsteps – What Was It Like in the GDR?
For all fans of first-class genre cinema, Filmfest Dresden is presenting “Cinema Digestif” yet again in its late-night section from Thursday to Saturday (at 23:30 each night) in the Thalia cinema – consisting of three curated short film programmes that will surprise, inspire and explore boundaries. In I Just Wanna Shiver, horror and gore take centre stage, far beyond their traditional home in music videos. The cult programme Seriously? WTF! takes a closer look at the human body – in all its bizarre and fascinating aspects. Lust for Love delves into the unvarnished and multilayered world of desire, identity and sexuality.
At the popular Short Film Bingo on Thursday evening (18:00, GrooveStation), the audience can join in the fun: A wide-ranging selection from 3,400 submissions are awaiting the guests – from apocalypses and time travel to dogs, cats and lots of love. An entertaining evening full of surprises and good humour, which is at the same time the kick-off for a new round of bingo at the GrooveStation. Presented by Falk Töpfer.
In the animated documentary series “In Fritzi’s Footsteps” (matinee on Sunday at 13:00 in Schauburg), Julian (Checker Julian) and Anna (Invisible Sue) are seeking answers to the question: What was it like in the GDR? Following in the footsteps of Fritzi (“Fritzi – A Revolutionary”, “Fritzi and Sophie – Friendship without Borders”), they meet the people behind the events during this period and immerse themselves as avatars in the time of this peaceful revolution. Afterwards, the presenters Anna and Julian are holding film discussions with contemporary witnesses Regina Schild and Hartmut Rüffert.
Special Events: Masterclass with Tomer Eshed, Talks Exploring Solidarity, Festival Party
In addition to the film programmes, this year the etc. - events.trainings.connections. section is again providing a wide selection of highlights, including panel discussions, receptions, a masterclass and further events for both accredited guests and interested festival audiences.
The prizewinning filmmaker Tomer Eshed has been a fixture in the world of animation for years. With films such as OUR WONDERFUL NATURE (Germany 2008, award winner at DOK Leipzig and Encounters International Film Festival, among others), he has enthused audiences and experts alike. Together with his team at Lumatic Animation & VFX GmbH, he has also brought the magical animals from the SCHOOL OF MAGICAL ANIMALS films to life – winning the German Film Award for Visual Effects in 2022. During the masterclass, Eshed is providing insights into his films, working methods and experiences as the head of an animation studio.
In line with the festival’s focus, the moderated panel discussion “What's the Point of Solidarity?” is exploring the multilayered concept of solidarity. Representatives of solidarity-based film movements and experts from the field of research are discussing its historical development, contradictory interpretations and particular significance for the film industry.
At the “Get-Together: Support Your Local Spaces” event, local initiatives and actors are being presented who are committed to promoting more solidarity in their communities through their work, or who themselves achieve a solidarity-based impact. The event is providing a platform for encounters, exchanges and networking – a space in which ideas can grow and new connections be made.
Yet again this year, the festival is back in DRAG fever, ready to celebrate not only all the winners, but a successful festival as well at the “Together We Shine – Festival Drag Party”. DJ Mamede (Berlin) is providing the electrifying beats, the audience the spectacular looks, and together with special guests Sita Messer, Meo Wulf and Yvonne Nightstand, everyone is invited to celebrate solidarity in the most sparkling glamour!
Programme for Young Film Enthusiasts
At the 37th round of the festival in the Kids and Youth Programme, the audiences can look forward once more to exciting and varied short film programmes specially compiled for young viewers. In five age-appropriate programmes (from 5 years and older), the fascinating world of short film is waiting to be discovered during the festival week. Following the screenings, the audiences have an opportunity to quiz the filmmakers and learn more about the films they see. All of the programmes can also be booked as group screenings.
Again, the selection was compiled in cooperation with the Filmfest Dresden Young Curators – a group of young film enthusiasts from Dresden and its surroundings.
The festival’s longstanding cooperative partner Fantasia Dresden Animation School is holding the “Magic for the Cinema Screen” workshop with the film and animation director Tomer Eshed (SCHOOL OF MAGICAL ANIMALS), as well as presenting the results of the workshop in the Kids Special Showcase.
Moreover, Tomer Eshed is also holding an animation workshop for school classes and groups. Entitled “My Magic Pencil!”, the participants can let their imagination run wild and create their own magical animals, which will then be brought to life.
Festival Trailer: WATCH HERE
The current festival trailer combines the magic of spring with the focal theme of “solidarity” in a lively animation. It was created by the animation artist Petra Stipetić in collaboration with the sound designer Rachel Oker. Stipetić’s films VOM DUFT DER ROTEN BEETE UND DEN MENSCHEN, DIE EWIG LEBEN and JEIJAY (Golden Horseman Youth Jury National Competition Filmfest Dresden 2021) already participated successfully in past festival editions. She has been a member of the selection committee for the National Competition since 2024.