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Opening Ceremony
Die Eröffnungsfeier bildet den Auftakt einer abwechslungsreichen Festivalwoche. Mit feierlichen Redebeiträgen, ersten Filmvorführungen und musikalischer Begleitung kommen geladene Filmschaffende, Studierende und Gäste zusammen, um das Festival zu eröffnen. Die Veranstaltung setzt den Ton für eine Woche voller neuer Perspektiven.
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Future: Tweens (ab 10 Jahre)
Too old for children's films, but still too young for youth films? Then perhaps these films tell just the right stories! They deal with loneliness and togetherness - somewhere between school, family and friendship.
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Where the Roots Lie
Where are our roots, and what traces do we leave behind? In confronting the past, present and future, our characters must find new ways to connect with their environment and ultimately with themselves.
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Creative machines: How AI is changing film
Die Frage, ob Künstliche Intelligenz eine Gefahr oder doch eine Erleichterung ist, dominiert die Kreativbranche. Doch wie verändert KI konkret die Arbeitsrealität von Filmschaffenden?
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Exhibition – Beyond the Screen
“Beyond the Screen” invites you to explore a realm where screens lose their edges, and imagination pushes into the digital unknown. Immerse yourself in bold installations, experience captivating live performances, and join insightful talks with the artists behind the works.
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Virtual Reality Projects
With our virtual reality programme, we aim to give viewers the opportunity to dive even deeper into stories and explore new realms. Whether it's life underwater or the streets of Tanzania – our selected VR projects offer the chance to discover new perspectives and experience both real and imaginative landscapes.
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On the Agenda I
On the Agenda presents the demands that our generation needs for a future worth living. With great commitment and persistence, it tackles issues that others turn a blind eye to.
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Screenplay: Your personal work of art or game instructions for others?
Schreiben zwischen Narration und Deskription: Überlegungen und Methoden, den optimalen Abstand zum eigenen Stoff zu finden. Nico Woche ist Drehbuchautor und unterrichtet an der Filmuniversität.
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Exhibition – Beyond the Screen: Vernissage
Ein Gespräch mit Künstler:innen über die Konzepte, Prozesse und Geschichten hinter ihren Installationen, das Einblicke in ihre kreative Vision und die Schnittstelle von Kunst und Technologie bietet.
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Sabat
In 1963, Sabat came to the GDR from Mongolia, studied film in Babelsberg and later became an interpreter for Honecker and Tsedenbal. In 1979 he disappears without a trace. The director embarks on a gripping search for clues.
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Young audiences, great stories: Outstanding Films for Children and the Academy for Children’s Media
Gute Medien für junge Menschen brauchen mehr Präsenz – für stärkere Vielfalt, ein breiteres Angebot und bessere Qualität. Aber wie gelingt die Umsetzung von originellen, realitätsnahen Geschichten?
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Against the Current
A mother loses her child, another child is lost. In this block, both protagonists stand at a crossroads in moments of turmoil: Do they resist the dark tide, or are they swept away by it?
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Focus Animation: Above the Water
Trying to stay afloat in these troubling times can be quite a struggle. The protagonists face wild twists, unexpected hurdles, and moments of sheer chaos. Will they sink, swim, or ride the waves to victory?
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SOONER Networking Coffee
SOONER lädt Filmschaffende und Kreative ein! Kommt am Donnerstag und Samstag ins Foyer des T-Werk Potsdam, vernetzt euch bei Kaffee & Gesprächen und tauscht euch über digitale Distribution, neue Erzählformen oder einfach nur so aus. Offen für alle!
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Konrad Wolf: Rediscover and Relive
Konrad Wolf war der wichtigste Regisseur der DDR – und ist heute weitgehend in Vergessenheit geraten. Warum lohnt es sich noch immer, seine Filme zu schauen? Weshalb sollten sich junge Menschen mit ihm und der DEFA beschäftigen?
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Where Do We Go
Where do we go from here? In the constantly challenging worlds of these films, the answers are rarely straightforward. How do we respond when loss, separation, or the shifting present force us to confront what lies ahead?
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Gaps in the picture: The lack of diversity in the film industry
Abgesagt aufgrund von Krankheit: Immer die gleichen Filme, Perspektiven und unterrepräsentierten Gruppen. Roshanak Khodabakhsh und Jorgo Narjes, Gründer:innen von "New Motion", zeigen, wie neue Zugänge und Formate eine diversere Filmbranche ermöglichen.
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Art of Surviving
Escaping into art to avoid having to face reality. Two different films show how even great passion cannot save you from misfortune. Stigma and The Swan Song of Fedor Ozerov show how creation can turn into destruction or even processing.
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Retrospective: Beyond Expectation I
A kaleidoscope of animation styles reflects on consumerism, human intervention in nature, and surreal journeys into spiritual and existential depths. Beyond Expectation I highlights the thematic diversity of the animation department. Join us for an afternoon of digital and analog projections, expert talks and Q&As.
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Visual identity: Music videos and image building for artists
Visuelle Mittel sind Werkzeuge, um die Artist-Persona in der Musik zu formen und zu kommunizieren. Doch welche Rolle spielen dabei Konzeption, visuelle Gestaltung, Formate oder die Inszenierung?
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Beyond the Screen: Live Audiovisuals I
As part of the "Beyond the Screen" Exhibition, live audiovisual performances will be shown over two days. The artists combine technology with nature and the body, the audible with the visual, and create a unique and unreplicable art form on site.
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Burnt Soil
A cinematic mosaic exploring the past of its protagonists. What traces have they left behind, and where will their path lead? Despite profound pain, their strength inspires hope, laying the foundation for a promising future.
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Green Producing: Filmmaking with a future
Maximilian Wiege, Executive Assistant bei Green Toolkit, gibt einen praxisnahen Einblick in Green Producing im Studienkontext. Gemeinsam werden Prozesse interaktiv analysiert und Lösungen erarbeitet.
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Next Generation Short Tiger
The short film program NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER was created by German Films in 1998 with the aim to introduce young talents from Germany to international audiences. Selected from film school submissions by an independent jury, the films go on an international festival tour. Discover this year's selection at Sehsüchte 2025!
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Showcase Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
This selection of feature films, animated films and documentaries provides an insight into the diversity of filmmaking at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF and shows recent productions.
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Future: Teens (ab 14 Jahre)
The transition from childhood to adulthood is an exciting, stressful and exhausting time full of inner and outer conflicts. These films focus on the problems of their characters in a consistent yet empathetic way - and thus give young people a lot of confidence. The event is being organised in cooperation with SchulKinoWochen Berlin and will be moderated by Eva-Maria Schneider-Reuter.
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Metamorphosis
Change brought about by the disappearance of glaciers, personal loss or the superstition of an entire village - these stories explore the deep process of transformation and the quest for a new understanding in an ever-changing reality.
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Virtual Reality Projects
With our virtual reality programme, we aim to give viewers the opportunity to dive even deeper into stories and explore new realms. Whether it's life underwater or the streets of Tanzania – our selected VR projects offer the chance to discover new perspectives and experience both real and imaginative landscapes.
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Exhibition – Beyond the Screen
“Beyond the Screen” invites you to explore a realm where screens lose their edges, and imagination pushes into the digital unknown. Immerse yourself in bold installations, experience captivating live performances, and join insightful talks with the artists behind the works.
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On the Agenda II
On the Agenda presents the demands that our generation needs for a future worth living. With great commitment and persistence, it tackles issues that others turn a blind eye to.
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Adobe Masterclass with Michael Münch: Adobe Premiere Pro – integrated KI Tools and beyond
In dieser Masterclass lernst du die neuesten Funktionen in Premiere Pro, die den Arbeitsablauf beschleunigen. Michael Münch demonstriert textbasiertes Schneiden, Transkripte, Untertitel und Media Intelligence zur schnellen Identifikation wichtiger Clips. Außerdem zeigt er, wie man mit Generative Extend nahtlos zusätzliche Frames hinzufügt. Anschließend: Get Together mit Getränken bis 15:30
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Liberated narratives: Queer narratives
Queere Filmschaffende berichten, wie sie innovative Erzählsprachen und -prozesse entwickeln, um sich von traditionellen Narrativen zu lösen und authentische, vielfältige Geschichten auf die Leinwand zu bringen.
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The In-Between
We live between wellness retreats, wars, parties in gyms, escapes and lots of stones. Time passes us by and somehow everything is actually fine. Or is it? The In-Between shows the space between perfect worlds and the explosions that haunt them.
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Working Title
Work in progress! But what role does a vocation play in our lives? For our protagonists, it is the center of their passion, self-discovery, rebellion, and independence.
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To Hold Onto
We cling to people, routines or memories - anything that promises stability. But what happens when the foundations begin to crumble? Three films about holding on in times of change.
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Beyond the Screen – Live Audiovisuals: A Talk with the Artists
Eine anregende Diskussion mit Künstler:innen, die audiovisuelle Live-Performances präsentieren, die die Techniken, Inspirationen und Innovationen offenbaren, die ihre dynamischen und immersiven Erfahrungen prägen.
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Best of Festival of Future Storytellers 2024
The Festival of Future Storytellers presents a selection of the award-winning films of the 43rd festival edition. As a celebration of international and German young films, the festival takes place annually at the University of Television and Film Munich.
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Inclusion in the Cinema
Kino verbindet, doch manche Personengruppen bleiben ausgegrenzt. Sabrina Reis und Kinoblindgänger zeigen, wie Filmvorstellungen barrierefrei werden – damit wirklich alle teilhaben können.
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Seriously?
Seriously? Yes! This block is only suitable for people with savoir-être who don't take life too seriously. Because when life gives them lemons, these protagonists make the best of it without evading the important questions. A colorful existential journey begins...
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Film is a job: ver.di-Workshop on work environment in film
Dieser Workshop musste leider abgesagt werden...
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Focus Animation: Under the Skin
Does it hurt? Maybe a little – like a whisper against raw nerves, a shiver under the skin. But where there’s pain, there’s ecstasy, tension, transformation. A laugh in the dark, a touch that lingers, a connection that cuts deep.
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Schreibsüchte: Pitch
In the pitch event, the nominated creatives of the "Pitch"-competition present their concepts to a live audience and an expert jury.
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Louder than Words
Louder than words gathers all its strength to tell of a tiredness that must constantly explain itself. Individual stories bring forth a strength that gives hope and encourages us to carry these voices forward. Louder than words are working hands, life experiences, resistance and signs of love.
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Showcase Ecole de cinéma Kourtrajmé Dakar
Four films about finding your inner voice, dreams and freedom. With these films, our partner School in Dakar, Senegal tries to change and challenge the “single story” that the world tells about Africa. A constant question for individual and collective identity.
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Beyond the Screen: Live Audiovisuals II
As part of the "Beyond the Screen" Exhibition, live audiovisual performances will be shown over two days. The artists combine technology with nature and the body, the audible with the visual, and create a unique and unreplicable art form on site.
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Retrospective: Beyond Expectation II
From dystopian imagery to poetic reflections and experimental physicality, this animated program pushes the boundaries of time, space and reality. Enjoy an evening of digital and analog projections and talks with alumni from the animation department.
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Genre: Cinema Kaleidoscope
From quirky comedy and captivating horror to fantastic worlds, anime adventures and musicals. Everything that makes cinema so unique comes together here. A cinematic interplay of forms, styles and emotions, which takes a new look at the boundaries of genre.
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ZAQ Media Quiz
Bei Potsdams interaktivem Medienquiz erwartet dich ein spannender Fragenmix aus den Bereichen Filme, Serien, TV, Bücher, Musik, Social Media, Werbung und Promis. Die Anmeldung ist über die Webseite vom ZAQ Medienquiz möglich.
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Let’s Leave This Place
These stories of resistance tell of the relentless search for a better life. Different life situations are put to the test with radical questions, new life plans and courageous revolts.
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Weekend Opener
Wo lassen sich die gesehenen Filme besser diskutieren als bei unserem Weekend Opener? Mit einem kühlen Getränk in der Hand und guter Musik im Ohr starten wir gemeinsam ins Wochenende.
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Karaoke
Karaoke-Abend! Singt eure Lieblingshits – ob auf oder vor der Bühne. Wir freuen uns auf euren Auftritt mit Musical-Klassikern oder Hip-Hop-Tunes!
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Hatha Yoga with Malin
Raus aus dem Kinosessel, rein in die Entspannung! Yogalehrerin Malin bringt mit Meditation, Atem- und Körperübungen Körper und Geist in Einklang. Alle Level willkommen, keine Vorerfahrung nötig.
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Do You See Us Now?
See and be seen? While some struggle to be seen, others wonder whether it is sometimes better to stay in the dark. More importantly, what needs to happen before one is seen?
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Virtual Reality Projects
With our virtual reality programme, we aim to give viewers the opportunity to dive even deeper into stories and explore new realms. Whether it's life underwater or the streets of Tanzania – our selected VR projects offer the chance to discover new perspectives and experience both real and imaginative landscapes.
-
Exhibition – Beyond the Screen
“Beyond the Screen” invites you to explore a realm where screens lose their edges, and imagination pushes into the digital unknown. Immerse yourself in bold installations, experience captivating live performances, and join insightful talks with the artists behind the works.
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Growing Pains
Nothing is as it used to be - In formative stages of life, the protagonists have to face the challenges of the world and ask themselves where their place is in it. Both painful and comforting moments that accompany an individual's coming of age are explored.
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Retelling the past: Historical accuracy in films
Müssen historische Filme die Vergangenheit authentisch abbilden? Am Beispiel von "Haus Kummerveldt" wird erörtert, wie sich Erzählungen vom Realitätsanspruch lösen und stattdessen Repräsentation sowie ungeschriebene Geschichten ins Zentrum rücken.
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Hands on sustainability: Shaping the future
Zeit für Verantwortung, Schluss mit rücksichtsloser (Selbst-) Ausbeutung. Wie kann die Filmwelt von morgen gestaltet werden und welchen Einfluss habt ihr darauf? Gemeinsam mit unseren Nachhaltigkeits-Expert:innen finden wir Antworten.
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SOONER Networking Coffee
SOONER lädt Filmschaffende und Kreative ein! Kommt am Donnerstag und Samstag ins Foyer des T-Werk Potsdam, vernetzt euch bei Kaffee & Gesprächen und tauscht euch über digitale Distribution, neue Erzählformen oder einfach nur so aus. Offen für alle!
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Future: Kids (ab 6 Jahre)
Peace, joy and pancakes? No way! Being a child is not that easy. Empathetic, heart-warming and tongue-in-cheek, these films tell of the bright and dark sides of childhood.
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Focus Animation: In a Nutshell
Who has time for this?! In a world drowning in short-content and ever-shrinking attention spans you are invited into a conversation about everything and everyone. We really tried to be brief… but there is just too much to tell!
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Filmmaking in exile: art as an act of resistance?
Krisen und Kriege prägen das Filmschaffen weltweit. Aber wie werden soziopolitische Zäsuren in Filmen offenbart, hinterfragt und verarbeitet? Die Gesprächsrunde lädt zum Austausch über diese Fragen ein.
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Schreibsüchte: Kopfkino
In the beginning was the word. Therefore we are dedicating the Schreibsüchte section to the scripts. In the staged reading "Kopfkino" we help to imagine their visions.
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Mawjoudin Queer Film Fest Tunis
Five films from the repertoire of the NGO Mawjoudin offer a raw and poignant glimpse into the lives of queer people across Tunisia and the wider Maghreb. Blending animation, documentary, and poetic storytelling, these films confront the complexities of identity, love, and resilience in the face of adversity.
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From word to image: the art of adapting literature to film
Constanze Klaue zeigt am Beispiel des Berlinale-Erfolgs "Mit der Faust in die Welt schlagen", wie Literatur in Film übersetzt wird. Sie spricht über die Herausforderungen, die entstehen, wenn ein Filmteam die literarische Welt fürs Kino adaptiert.
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Award Ceremony
Feierlicher Abschluss des Festivals: Die Gewinner:innen werden geehrt, eine Tanzperformance von "Whacking Berlin" begeistert und Sehsüchte 2025 lässt seine Highlights noch einmal Revue passieren. Diese Veranstaltung gilt nur für Akkreditierte.
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FLINTA* Filmfuture – by female.unit
Die Branche kriselt, besonders für FLINTA* Filmschaffende. female.unit arbeitet daran, dass ihr gesehen, gehört, beraten und vernetzt werdet. In einer offen Runde sprechen wir darüber, was ihr braucht.
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Headwind
The main characters confront the hardships that society places before them. In their distinct, personal ways, they raise their voices – in public, in front of the camera, on stage, or within their communities. Will the wind change?
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Closing Party
Erlebt Live-Musik im Waschhaus Saal und hypnotischen Beats im Kesselhaus – der Soundtrack zur diesjährigen Festivalausgabe.
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Winning Films I
On Sunday, the award-winning films from the cinema sections and some special mentions from the juries will be shown at the Film Museum. So buckle up and make yourself comfortable - after all, there are three blocks of excellent newcomer films in the programme!
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Winning Films II
On Sunday, the award-winning films from the cinema sections and some special mentions from the juries will be shown at the Film Museum. So buckle up and make yourself comfortable - after all, there are three blocks of excellent newcomer films in the programme!
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Winning Films III
On Sunday, the award-winning films from the cinema sections and some special mentions from the juries will be shown at the Film Museum. So buckle up and make yourself comfortable - after all, there are three blocks of excellent newcomer films in the programme!