Manila will host KinoFest 2026 — The German Film Festival for the first time October 15–18 at GH Ortigas Cinema, Greenhills Mall. This marks the event’s fifth edition, bringing free, first-come, first-served screenings to Filipino viewers.
Ten modern German films will be shown, covering themes of belonging, resilience, memory, care, justice, and the places that define us. The festival opens with Rose by Markus Schleinzer, featuring Sandra Hüller.
A special section, “Intersections,” pairs German works with Philippine films to spark shared dialogue. Local titles include Invisible Labor by Joanne Cesario, Raging (Rumaragasa) by Ryan Machado, and the Philippine premiere of Body Count by Cris Bringas. Filmmakers will join an in-person discussion after these screenings, led by Goethe-Institut Philippines Director Julian Fuchs.
Screenings take place in Cinema 1 and The Screening Room. Tickets are free and available at the KinoFest booth near Cinema 1 one hour before each show.
This festival gives local audiences rare access to acclaimed German storytelling and a direct platform for Filipino filmmakers to connect publicly with viewers and each other — bridging cultures through film right here in Metro Manila.
