For ten days, the latest films from all over the world will be shown at Filmfest Hamburg. In addition to a comprehensive film program, visitors can look forward to many other highlights.

Filmfest Hamburg is back this fall! From September 25 to October 4, 2025, a program of top-class films will be shown. Every year, the film festival shows films from all over the world and also celebrates some German and world premieres. The well-known festival cinemas are the Abaton, CinemaxX Dammtor, Metropolis, Passage and Studio-Kino.

Program 2025

Visitors can also look forward to a top-class film program in 2025. A total of 118 feature-length films from 55 countries will be shown. Three themes run through the festival sections: cohesion, humor and resistance. The aspect of resistance is exemplified by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's new film "Jeunes mères - Young Mothers". With humor, the opening film "Lovely Day" by Philippe Falardeau tells of hope, healing and the fragility of happiness. And in the closing film "Rental Family" by Hikari, the idea of cohesion and the value of genuine relationships is brought to life.

Other film highlights include Fatih Akin's film "Amrum", which was acclaimed in Cannes and celebrates its German premiere in the "Große Freiheit" section. The debut film "Lonig & Havendel", directed by Claudia Tuyết Scheffel, a graduate of the Hamburg University of Fine Arts (HFBK), and Ameer Fakher Eldin's "Yunan", which was shot on the Hallig Langeneß, also stand for strong North German filmmaking. Both films will be screened in the "Hamburg Premieres" section.

More info: Program Filmfest

On October 3: "Free admission day"

Since 2024, there has been a special feature of the Filmfest: on the Day of German Unity (October 3), admission to the cinema is free for all Hamburg residents. In the five festival cinemas Abaton, Studio-Kino, Metropolis, CinemaxX Dammtor and Passage, all festival films are free to the public on this day. Filmfest screenings in the Filmfest ums Eck cinemas are also free of charge on this day. Tickets for the free screenings must be booked in advance.

Last year, 10,800 tickets were issued for the "Free admission day". With this campaign, the film festival wants to appeal to people who otherwise have no contact with the festival and whose participation in cultural life is more difficult. The campaign is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Media.