KinoFest 2024 Brings the Latest German Cinema to Southeast Asia and the Pacific

KinoFest 2024 arrives for European film lovers. Goethe-Institut organizes the annual German film festival for the third time, running from September to November 2024. The festival takes place in multiple Southeast Asian and Pacific cities, showcasing a range of new German films across genres such as documentary, adventure, drama, comedy, animation, and thriller.

In Indonesia, KinoFest 2024 will be held from October 10–13 at two venues: GoetheHaus Jakarta and the Institut Français Indonesia (IFI) in Bandung. Jakarta will screen 11 films, while Bandung will show 10. Beyond film screenings, this year’s festival also features director talks, including Narges Kalhor who will discuss her new film Shahid (2024) on October 11 in Bandung and on October 13 in Jakarta.

With the theme “Global Ties, Personal Journeys,” KinoFest 2024 focuses on the stories of young people representing different layers of society—through both fictional characters and real-life documentary subjects. Audiences are invited to dive into the journeys of these individuals in their search for identity amid social and cultural change across countries.

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According to Dr. Ingo Schöningh, Head of the Culture Program for Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand at the Goethe-Institut, KinoFest presents films that reflect life’s realities: from loss and collective trauma to coming-of-age, meaning-making, and the bonds of family or community. These films give viewers a chance to reflect on the challenges faced by contemporary German society, especially in relation to its traumatic historical legacies and the conflicts experienced by migrant communities. Each film underscores both global interconnectedness and individual journeys, offering insight into issues like migration, disability, and gender.

KinoFest 2024 is curated by eight Goethe-Institut branches across Southeast Asia and New Zealand, and features recent German releases from 2021 to 2024. The festival also launches in other countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

In Jakarta, the festival opens with Das Lehrerzimmer (2023), directed by Ilker Çatak. The film—nominated for Best International Feature at the Academy Awards—follows Carla, a young teacher facing a moral dilemma when her school tightens policies on theft, forcing her to navigate between justice and social pressure.

For full KinoFest 2024 program details, visit the Goethe-Institut website. The Jakarta screening schedule at GoetheHaus is as follows:

Thursday, October 10

19:00 – Das Lehrerzimmer (2023) by Ilker Çatak [Invitation only]

Friday, October 11

14:00 – Sieger Sein (2024) by Soleen Yusef

17:00 – Life Is Not a Competition But I’m Winning (2023) by Julia Fuhrmann

19:30 – 791 KM (2023) by Tobi Baumann

Saturday, October 12

11:00 – Checker Tobi und die Reise zu den fliegenden Flüssen (2023) by Johannes Honsell

14:00 – Liebe Angst (2022) by Sandra Prechtel

16:30 – Einzeltäter Teil 3: Hanau (2023) by Julian Vogel

19:00 – Im toten Winkel (2023) by Ayşe Polat

Sunday, October 13

14:00 – She Chef (2022) by Melanie Liebheit & Gereon Wetzel

16:30 – Shahid (2024) by Narges Kalhor

19:30 – Die Theorie von Allem (2023) by Timm Kröger

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About Goethe-Institut

The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global presence. We promote the study of the German language abroad and foster international cultural exchange. We also provide comprehensive insights into Germany through information on the country’s political, social, and cultural life. Our diverse cultural and educational programs support intercultural dialogue and encourage cultural participation. These initiatives strengthen civil society structures and contribute to global mobility.

Also read: KinoFest 2023: Festival Film Jerman Di Asia Tenggara Dan Pasifik