Goethe-Institut has launched the second edition of the annual German film festival KinoFest, which opened in September and runs until 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 today, 19 October, 6 p.m. at Gateway Cineplex Cinema 6 with the 2023 release Sun and Concrete (Sonne und Beton). The second screening of the film on 22 October, 3 p.m., 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 on 20-22 October at Gateway Cineplex 10 Cinemas 6 and 7. Seven new German films will be screened along with four experimental films from Germany and the Philippines by Khavn Dela Cruz.

Tickets to the KinoFest 2023 are priced at P200 for all films, with regular discounts applicable for students, senior citizens and PWDs. The opening night on 19 October 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. Detailed information about KinoFest 2023 can be accessed at www.goethe.de/manila.