Festival Diary Day 2

The first official day of the festival has come to an end, and the festival atmosphere is already in full swing. At the festival center in Charlottenburg, the volunteers are dancing a little behind the bar as they organize drinks and glasses for the visitors. A huge thank you goes out to all our wonderful volunteers, without whom the festival wouldn't be possible.

Finally, the first film screenings begin in the evening. At City Kino Wedding, the smell of popcorn fills the air, and we watch State of Silence together. It’s an impressive portrait of four journalists from Mexico who are fighting for press freedom and risking so much in the process. Director Santiago Maza answers audience questions after the film. "There is always this piece of a movie that you only understand when you share it with people," he says at the start of the discussion. Hands from the audience keep going up, with questions pouring in. How was he able to film such a documentary? Wasn’t it dangerous? What is the situation in Mexico like today? The audience is full of curiosity. If you also want answers to these questions, come to Sputnik Kino today, where State of Silence will have a second screening, and you can ask the director your own questions.

At KantKino, we were delighted to receive a warm video message from Tilda Swinton, who introduced her film A Hexagonal Hive and a Mouse in a Maze. The discussion afterwards with director Bartek Dziadosz, producer Lily Ford, and Dr. Christina Limbird gave us a glimpse into the future of education. Many thanks to our wonderful guests. You’ll have another chance to ask your questions after a screening tonight.

Our D’Salon also celebrated its first day today. If you missed it, you can watch the talk on climate justice here again.

These are the highlights that are waiting for you today:

Tip from Alexandra Weltz-Rombach 

I’m known as ‘Party Alex’ at Dokumentale HQ, because I’m the one in charge of organizing and curating our D’Lounge events. We don’t just show fantastic documentaries but also want our audience to really connect with and immerse themselves in the story world. During the festival, we are hosting screenings at extraordinary locations around Berlin, connecting the cinema experience with glimpses into Berlin’s unique culture and party scene! Popcorn or a drink? You choose!

So, OF COURSE, my Dokumentale highlights are the screening of Alreadymade at the Berlinische Galerie, New Wave at Dashi Canteen, Uncropped at LARK, and many more!  

12 October, 7.30 p.m., Berlinische Galerie

Want to keep this sunny day going? Join us on a journey into Australia’s breathtaking wilderness with ‘The Giants’.

Explore the world’s tallest broadleaf trees on the stunning island of Tasmania. Our immersive cinematic experience combines captivating animation with fascinating insights into these unique trees and their communication systems. Learn about the inspiring story of Bob Brown, an Australian falconer, politician, activist, and environmental defender. His unwavering commitment to protecting Tasmania’s wilderness is a testament to the power of one person to make a difference.

12 October, 5.30 p.m., KantKino

They are real life heroes—the courageous journalists fighting for transparency and against cartels in ‘State of Silence’. Watching this documentary, you will find out exactly where Hollywood writers get their ideas. The gripping stories of these journalists unfold like real-life thrillers, highlighting the everyday dangers they face in exposing the connections between organized crime and corrupt officials at all levels of government. Santiago Maza’s film is a powerful reminder that those who risk their lives to uncover the truth desperately need our protection. Join us for a screening of ‘State of Silence’, followed by a Q&A with director Santiago Maza.

12 October, 9pm, Sputnik Kino

P.S. Tomorrow there is some real star power awaiting you, with iconic actress Iris Berben attending the world premiere of her cinematic portrait, ‘Iris’. Stay Tuned!