CHAI拆 Chinesisches Filmfestival Leipzig 2025

In the page's words:

Change is in the air.

In six feature-length and three short films, we accompany people in the midst of life change - in the countryside and in the city, in search of work, love or self-realization. We see a woman who frees herself from an abusive marriage, a boy who experiences the departure of his best friend and a dancer who looks back on her career in the USA. The films reflect the diversity of life in China and the Chinese diaspora - under the banner of the motto 蜕变 (tuì biàn): the process of unraveling and personal development.

The CHAI film festival has also embraced change: This year, it will take place in the fall at the new Cinémathèque Leipzig venue at Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 109. We look forward to welcoming you soon and discussing with you and the filmmakers.

Change is in the air.

In six feature-length and three short films, we follow individuals navigating pivotal moments in their lives. Against the backdrop of contemporary Chinese society-whether in bustling cities or tranquil rural areas-they confront a spectrum of challenges: in the workplace, in love, in the pursuit of self-discovery, and in the chase for their dreams.

We witness a woman breaking free from a violent marriage. We reflect with another on her past as a successful dancer in the United States. And through the eyes of a young boy, we feel the bittersweet ache of a best friend moving to the big city.

These stories together form a vibrant tapestry, capturing the diversity of life's transformations in China and the global Chinese diaspora, perfectly resonating with this year's theme, 蜕变 (tuì biàn): the process of emergence, growth, and becoming.

The CHAI Film Festival itself is embracing change: this year, it moves to the new Cinémathèque Leipzig at Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 109 and will take place in autumn. We eagerly await your presence, to share in these films and to engage in conversation with the filmmakers themselves.