This year’s film selection offered a vibrant bouquet: thought-provoking, emotional, tragic, and humorous. German Currents audiences encountered strong female leads as well as men in search of their own identity. Those drawn to historical narratives discovered fresh perspectives on pivotal moments in German history, while genre fans were treated to a debut feature-length science fiction thriller.
As we mark 35 years since the reunification of Germany, the festival reflected on this anniversary not only with the Opening Film TWO TO ONE by Natja Brunckhorst. The motif of freedom seemed to run like a common thread through the program: the freedom to be true to oneself, the individual’s freedom within a community, the desire to break free from societal norms – for better or worse, and the courage to risk everything in the pursuit of freedom and justice.
Over five vibrant festival days, we hosted eleven screenings of outstanding films and engaged in inspiring conversations. We were thrilled to welcome five incredible filmmakers —Samuel Benito, Tillmann Betz, Mariko Minoguchi, Bernhard Wenger, and Ronald Zehrfeld— to Los Angeles and Southern California, where they connected with audiences and industry professionals alike.
On behalf of the entrire German currents team, we would like to thank our co-presenters, the American Cinematheque, and for their tremendous support, we thank our sponsors, The Friends of Goethe, ELMA, Condor, the Austrian Consulate General in Los Angeles, go-international, Tupetz Wine Connection, Paulaner USA, Paulaner Sunset, Villa Aurora & Thomas Mann House e.V., the German Film Office, we thank our media partners Deutsche Welle, KPFK Radio, Campus Circle, our educational outreach partners Creating Creators, and for their support, the German Consulate General in Los Angeles.
Thak you to our audience, for sharing community through the power of cinema. We look forward to seeing you next year for German Currents 2026, the 20th annual Festival of German film. a
Warm regards,
Luisa Rath-John
Director, Goethe-Institut Los Angeles & Festival Director, GERMAN CURRENTS
The German Currents Film Festival 2025 is a co-production of the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles and the American Cinematheque, with the support of The Friends of Goethe, ELMA, Condor, the Austrian Consulate General in Los Angeles, go-international, Tupetz Wine Connection, Paulaner USA, Paulaner Sunset, Villa Aurora & Thomas Mann House e.V., the German Film Office, our media partners Deutsche Welle, KPFK Radio, Campus Circle, our educational outreach partners Creating Creators, and in cooperation with the German Consulate General in Los Angeles.
