Dokumentale'25

We are looking forward to an exciting + insightful festival that offers new connections and eye-opening moments through documentaries, non-fiction books, VR experiences, and live podcasts. Subscribe to our newsletter + stay updated — and get your Super Early Bird Pass!
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Films

We will be showing all films in the original language with English subtitles. A few films that will be shown in German are labelled accordingly. Some screenings will be followed by discussions with directors, protagonists, or experts. The corresponding films are labeled with "Q+A".

9-Month Contract

Jun 12 / 8:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 16 / 6:30 PM / Sputnik Kino
Nine months of pregnancy for $14,000. Trapped in an endless cycle of pregnancies, Zhana rents out her body, driven by her fear of poverty and her desire to secure her daughter’s future. This film tells a story of maternal love in a system that profits from desperation.

A Sisters’ Tale

Jun 18 / 9:00 PM / Freiluftkino Neue Zukunft
Jun 20 / 8:30 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
Nasreen reclaims her voice as a woman and a singer—defying Iran’s ban on female performers. Over seven years, her sister Leila films her journey from silenced housewife to empowered artist inspiring women across Iran and beyond.

Abortion Dream Team

Jun 14 / 2:45 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 16 / 6:30 PM / Sputnik Kino
Jun 19 / 6:00 PM / Kant Kino
Four women, a dangerous fight. In Poland, where abortion is illegal, the Abortion Dream Team is helping hundreds of women every day—loudly, fearlessly, and visibly. One member faces prison, another struggles with the emotional toll. How long can they keep going?

The Accidental President

Jun 15 / 6:15 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 19 / 8:30 PM / Nomadenkino
When her husband is arrested, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya steps into the fight against Belarus' authoritarian regime, demanding freedom for her country. Officially, her opponent wins the election— but was it fair? Tsikhanouskaya becomes a powerful symbol of democratic change.

The Age of Water

Jun 19 / 6:00 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
Jun 21 / 9:00 PM / Sputnik Kino
Jun 22 / 8:30 PM / Zeiss-Großplanetarium
After a series of mysterious illnesses and deaths, a community in Mexico discovers that their water is radioactive. At the center of the story are six mothers on a quest for justice who suspect that there is a connection between the contamination and the death of three girls.

Animal Pride

Jun 14 / 12:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 19 / 6:00 PM / Zeiss-Großplanetarium
Orcas, penguins, and even slugs—nature's diversity is far queerer than you might think. Connel Bradwell takes us on a journey through the animal kingdom, sharing nature’s coming-out stories with humour, love, and a fresh perspective on queerness in the wild.

Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story

Jun 18 / 6:00 PM / The Yaam
Jun 20 / 6:00 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino

Black Limbo

Jun 17 / 7:30 PM / City Kino Wedding
Jun 21 / 6:00 PM / Kant Kino
Jun 22 / 8:30 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
Spain’s dark colonial past resurfaces as the family of Acacio Mañe, Equatorial Guinea’s independence leader, demands justice. Silenced crimes, hidden archives, and a decades-long fight for truth reveal a history Spain has repeatedly tried to forget.

Blue Road - The Edna O’Brien Story

Jun 17 / 7:00 PM / Tresor Globus
Jun 18 / 8:30 PM / Kant Kino
At age 93, legendary Irish writer Edna O’Brien looks back at infamous London parties, her own provocative brand of feminism, and the liberated lifestyle that put a target on her back. An intimate portrait of a woman who forever changed Irish literature and society.

Changing Sides

Jun 18 / 6:00 PM / Kant Kino
Jun 19 / 8:00 PM / Skatehalle
Thomas ‘Eichi’ Eichstädt coaches a soccer team of young refugees while facing his own dark past as a former right-wing extremist. A powerful story of second chances, the courage to change, and the hope that can bridge even the deepest divides.

The Coriolis Effect

Jun 16 / 9:30 PM / Freiluftkino Insel
Jun 20 / 8:30 PM / Zeiss-Großplanetarium
A vision of an ecological democracy, where all living beings coexist in harmony. With breathtaking music and stunning nature footage, director Petr Lom makes the Earth itself the protagonist, telling the story of a new dawn.

Creativo Paradiso: A Creative Renaissance

Jun 17 / 8:30 PM / Kant Kino
Jun 18 / 9:30 PM / Freiluftkino Insel
What sparks true creativity? Lilith Stangenberg and Blixa Bargeld take a deep dive with icons like Björk, Ridley Scott, and Marina Abramović—uncovering secrets, igniting inspiration, and breaking creative boundaries!

Curtains

Jun 15 / 9:45 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 20 / 9:00 PM / Sputnik Kino
Sandra Hüller lends her voice to a woman who has escaped an abusive relationship in a system that prefers to look the other way. This film uncovers the power structures behind the facade, exposing the state's failure to truly protect women.

Death is an Asshole

Jun 12 / 9:30 PM / Freiluftkino Insel
Jun 22 / 6:00 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
From DJ to undertaker: Eric and his team are breaking the taboos of death and mourning. They support the bereaved with empathy and openness—but will they be able to cope when loss strikes close to their own hearts?

The Dialogue Police

Jun 16 / 6:00 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
Jun 20 / 6:30 PM / Sputnik Kino
Jun 22 / 6:00 PM / Kant Kino
Amid the chaos of escalating protests, a small Swedish police unit steps into the fray with an unusual mission: they want to talk. Armed with words and patience, they work tirelessly to protect democracy.

Facing War

Jun 19 / 8:30 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
Jun 22 / 6:30 PM / Sputnik Kino
In his final year as NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg faces war, crises, and rising tensions. This film gains rare access to Stoltenberg, offering a gripping portrait of a leader holding Europe together in times of global upheaval.

Flamingos: Life after the Meteorite

Jun 13 / 4:15 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 20 / 7:30 PM / City Kino Wedding
A flamingo’s most delicate journey—managing to find the right mate, the right place, and the right time to start a family. Covering a period of nine years, this stunning film blends humour, breathtaking visuals, and powerful storytelling to reveal the fragile beauty of the flamingo’s existence.

Funk YU

Jun 14 / 9:30 PM / Freiluftkino Insel
Jun 17 / 7:00 PM / Freiluftkino Rosengarten
Jun 21 / 7:00 PM / Dragonerareal
A heartfelt vinyl odyssey through the former Yugoslavia—a journey full of music, memories, and people who have never forgotten the funk. Between record crates and DJ sets, a road movie unfolds bridging past and present.

Further and Further

Jun 19 / 6:30 PM / Sputnik Kino
Jun 21 / 6:00 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
At 94, physics professor Vladimir Fridkin lives in Moscow, where he is torn between authoritarian Russia and his Western values. The film follows his final attempt to reunite with his family in Ukraine—an emotional story of separation, hope, and resilience.

Home Game

Jun 12 / 8:30 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 18 / 7:30 PM / City Kino Wedding
Forced to flee Yugoslavia as a child, director Lidija Zelović delivers a powerful wake-up call. In her new home, the Netherlands, she recognizes eerie echoes of the social and political forces that once tore her homeland apart.

How to Build a Library

Jun 15 / 1:15 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 21 / 8:30 PM / Kant Kino
Two Kenyan women are determined to transform a library, built in 1931 and once reserved exclusively for white people, into a vibrant cultural hub. With courage and resolve, they overcome financial hurdles while confronting the shadows of colonial history.

How to Build a Truth Engine

Jun 16 / 8:30 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
Jun 17 / 6:00 PM / Kant Kino
Jun 18 / 8:30 PM / Zeiss-Großplanetarium
How do we know what’s true? An interdisciplinary team reveals how fake news, conspiracies, and propaganda distort our reality. A gripping film about the power of truth – and those who fight for it in a world full of deception.

In Waves and War

Jun 17 / 9:00 PM / Sputnik Kino
Jun 18 / 8:30 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
Plagued by PTSD, survivor’s guilt, traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, and depression, three former Navy SEALs turn to an experimental hallucinogenic drug treatment on their desperate quest for healing.

It Happened on our Ground

Jun 16 / 8:30 PM / Kant Kino
Jun 17 / 8:30 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
Three generations of women—grandmother, mother, and daughter—live on a beautiful estate with a dark legacy. Once a concentration camp, it was owned by Hitler's first foreign minister, an SS officer and patriarch. A poignant story of guilt, responsibility, and confronting the past.

Little Syria

Jun 13 / 8:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 16 / 7:30 PM / City Kino Wedding
Jun 19 / 8:30 PM / Kant Kino
In Berlin, Reem, Mohammed, and Yasser—three Syrian refugees—struggle with the trauma of displacement. Together, they ask what remains of the Syrian revolution and how they can move forwards when the past is still shaping their every step.

Ms. President

Jun 13 / 5:15 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 16 / 9:00 PM / Sputnik Kino
Fünf Jahre lang führte Zuzana Čaputová ein gespaltenes Land – und gewährte Kameras einen Blick hinter die Kulissen. Dieses intime Porträt der ehemaligen slowakischen Präsidentin zeigt – zwischen Krisen, Bürgerdialogen und stillen Momenten – was echte Führung bedeutet und was sie kostet.

Night Is Not Eternal

Jun 14 / 4:30 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 18 / 6:30 PM / Sputnik Kino
Jun 19 / 7:30 PM / City Kino Wedding
For seven years, filmmaker Nanfu Wang follows Cuban activist Rosa María Payá in her relentless fight for democracy, human rights, and free elections. A powerful portrait of an unyielding fight from exile, transcending all borders.

Ouvidor

Jun 15 / 9:30 PM / Freiluftkino Insel
Jun 20 / 6:00 PM / Kater Blau
In São Paulo, over 120 creatives in the occupied Ouvidor House squat are fighting against commercialization and eviction. As art collides with resistance, an unbridled struggle ensues between survival, profit, and independence.

Sabbath Queen

Jun 14 / 8:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 16 / 9:45 PM / Freiluftkino Kreuzberg
A thirty-eighth generation rabbi, drag queen rebel, and queer father: Rabbi Amichai breaks with tradition. The film captures Amichai’s search for a new, inclusive Judaism. A provocative, loving portrait of someone who shatters boundaries and brings people together.

Sally

Jun 15 / 5:45 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 17 / 6:00 PM / Zeiss-Großplanetarium
Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space. But behind her success was a secret love and a silent struggle. Now, her partner Tam O’Shaughnessy shares their untold story of courage in the face of hopelessness.

She Rises Up

Jun 18 / 6:00 PM / Zeiss-Großplanetarium
Jun 19 / 6:00 PM / Kunsthaus Dahlem
Three determined women take matters into their own hands when they set up their own businesses in Peru, Sri Lanka, and Senegal, shaping their futures with bravery. This documentary powerfully captures how local entrepreneurship creates livelihoods and brings about lasting change.

Silent Men

Jun 14 / 1:30 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 19 / 9:00 PM / Sputnik Kino
Director Duncan Cowles sets out to break the silence—his own included. On a quest to find men willing to speak openly about their feelings and mental health, he embarks on an emotional journey that challenges societal norms and opens up conversations.

Third Act

Jun 18 / 9:00 PM / Sputnik Kino
Jun 17 / 6:00 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
Jun 22 / 8:30 PM / Kant Kino
A father, a son, a story that remained untold for so long. Tadashi Nakamura sheds light on the Parkinson's disease of his father Robert A. Nakamura, a key figure in Asian-American film culture.

Undercover: Exposing the Far Right

Jun 15 / 2:30 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 20 / 8:30 PM / Kant Kino
Jun 17 / 6:30 PM / Publix
What seems like a thriller is in fact reality: with a camera hidden in his shirt button, journalist Harry Shukman spends months putting his life at risk to gain access to the heart of far-right networks.

Ways to Traverse a Territory

Jun 18 / 6:00 PM / Kunsthaus Dahlem
Jun 22 / 6:00 PM / Zeiss-Großplanetarium
In the misty mountains, the memory of an encounter with an Indigenous Tzotzil family awakens. Amid sheep and shifting landscapes, this story develops into an exploration of identity, nature, and belonging.

Where Dragons Live

Jun 12 / 4:30 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 20 / 6:00 PM / Kant Kino
What remains when our parents are gone? Four siblings clear out their childhood home, surrounded by memories, forgotten objects, and unasked questions. As they sort through the past, they begin to question family roles and renegotiate their shared history.

Wild Coast Warriors

Jun 17 / 8:30 PM / Zeiss-Großplanetarium
Jun 18 / 6:00 PM / b-ware! Ladenkino
Jun 22 / 9:00 PM / Sputnik Kino
On South Africa’s west coast, Shell’s reckless greed threatens to destroy not just the sea but also the livelihoods of the AmaMpondo. But they resist—tirelessly and determined, before the courts and on the streets. Their fight for their environment is a fight for survival.

Writing Hawa

Jun 15 / 5:30 PM / Atelier Gardens
Jun 16 / 6:00 PM / Kant Kino
When the Taliban regain power in 2021, Hawa’s dream of liberation for herself and her family shatters. A documentary love letter from Afghan director Najiba Noori to her mother, Hawa. A film about three generations of women fighting for their freedom.

Books

Discover our curated book selection! Browse, buy your favorite books, and enjoy live readings by the authors at our Festival Center!
Is ecstasy a basic human need? Racha Kirakosian explores our drive for trance, rapture, and transcendence. From ancient rituals to techno raves, she shows that ecstasy isn’t just a wild escape, it is a mirror of who we are.
What if the key to groundbreaking change lies in creating together? This exploration of co-creation reveals how collaboration, justice, and innovation fuel true collective intelligence in fields like tech and health.
What remains after 130 years of cinema? Burning images. Untold stories. And an archive that holds it all. This journey through German film history surprises at every turn—visual, moving, and full of goosebump moments. Cinema was never just film.

Die Kinderdolmetscherin

Jun 14 / 1:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
Sleepless nights, tantrums, and endless advice? A shift in perspective can work wonders. Discover everyday strategies that bring more understanding, less stress, and a deeper, more loving connection between parent and child.

The Dreamtime: A Novel

Jun 15 / 3:45 PM / Atelier Gardens
A gripping, deeply personal work blurring the boundaries between reality and nightmare. Four intertwined stories reveal the horrors of war through the eyes of a sociopath, a guilt-ridden doctor, a woman living through airstrikes, and a forensic expert fighting for her marriage.

Ich sehe was, was du nicht siehst, und das ist Kunst

Jun 12 / 6:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
What do melting clocks, soft cheese, bird droppings, and tabletops have to do with art? More than you’d think! Behind many masterpieces are surprising facts and bizarre stories—told here with wit and insight, making art fun, weird, and wonderfully human.
With over 222 thought-provoking questions, this book invites you to spark real conversations that go far beyond small talk. Whether in everyday life, on a date, or with family, good questions help to build trust, create closeness, and offer gentle solutions to loneliness.

Terrible Humans

Jun 14 / 6:45 PM / Atelier Gardens
Behind closed doors, warlords, kleptocrats, and corporate giants make decisions that shape the world. In the shadows, brave investigators trace money trails and uncover hidden networks. A gripping examination of power and corruption, and the people who dare to expose them.

Unversehrt. Frauen und Schmerz

Jun 13 / 8:15 PM / Atelier Gardens
A man is given painkillers. A woman? Something to soothe her nerves. Women’s pain is dismissed, ignored, minimized—despite the fact that women suffer more, are hurt more often, and live with chronic pain. It's time to change this—time to turn pain into power.

Podcasts

Immerse yourself in the world of podcasts at our Podcast Lounge and listen to live recordings at our Festival Center at Atelier Gardens. Each podcast delves into fascinating topics that connect with our documentaries and other programme highlights. Sit back, relax, and discover new perspectives through engaging conversations!

Autonomie + Algorithmen

Jun 14 / 3:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
As AI increasingly encroaches on our lives, how much control do we really have? Dr Christiane Attig and Prof Benjamin Paaßen reveal how AI is shaping our autonomy and how we can navigate these invisible power structures.

Behind Science

Jun 15 / 8:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
The True Science Podcast about coincidences, breakthroughs, and scandals. Discover the emotional, often controversial stories of people who changed the world through science.

Deutsch aber Schwarz

Jun 14 / 5:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
A podcast about identity, culture, and personal growth. Together with Jil-Henriane, guests from diverse cultural backgrounds share their experiences in Germany, major challenges, and inspiring stories.

Feuer & Brot

Jun 15 / 11:30 AM / Atelier Gardens
Here’s to friendship! Alice and Maxi, best friends for years, come together to talk about everything that is close to their hearts. From social media trends to film clichés, masculinity and conspiracy theories. Always exciting and always honest!
Ready for a future worth looking forward to? The Good Impact Podcast brings you uplifting stories, smart solutions, and inspiring voices. From community to climate to the economy—tune in and discover how good ideas can change the game!

Gyncast

Jun 13 / 4:45 PM / Atelier Gardens
Periods, pregnancy, anatomy—no taboos, no clichés! Head physician Prof. Mandy Mangler and journalists Esther Kogelboom (Tagesspiegel) and Anna Kemper (ZEIT Magazin) take a deep dive into the fascinating world of gynaecology. Scientifically sound, no tired tropes, and truly empowering.

Lila Podcast

Jun 14 / 5:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
Bold, honest, feminist. This podcast unpacks stereotypes, inequalities, and hidden power structures. Discrimination and violence aren’t just exposed—they’re dismantled with real strategies for change.

PAPAS – Der Podcast

Jun 13 / 8:15 PM / Atelier Gardens
The last thing Hannes and Niclas wanted was to make a dad podcast—but that’s now exactly what they’re doing. From mental load to everyday chaos and real emotions, this is a mini therapy session for anyone caught in the family whirlwind. Honest and relatable, with heart and humor.

Radio Spätkauf

Jun 14 / 8:45 PM / Atelier Gardens
Love and hate Berlin? This sharp, witty podcast dives into the city’s politics, culture, and chaos—with humor and insight. From scandals to urban quirks, it’s your smart, entertaining guide to Berlin’s past, present, and wild future. Tune in!

Virtual Experience

Dive into new worlds and discover our Virtual Realities! You can explore all VR experiences at our Festival Center at Atelier Gardens—drop by and dive in!

Ancestral Secret

Jun 12 – 12 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 13 – 13 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 14 – 14 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 15 – 15 / Atelier Gardens
Step into the spellbinding world of Peru’s Q’ero people, where ancient rituals, mountain spirits, and cosmic wisdom come to life. A virtual adventure that is as soulful as it is mind-bending.

Ganga

Jun 12 – 12 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 13 – 13 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 14 – 14 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 15 – 15 / Atelier Gardens
In Varanasi, two sisters are fighting to save the Ganges by recycling plastic waste. Immerse yourself in this powerful experience, which reveals how women are protecting our rivers, wildlife, and planet. A journey of hope pushing back against plastic pollution.

Jack & Flo

Jun 12 – 12 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 13 – 13 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 14 – 14 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 15 – 15 / Atelier Gardens
Jack’s peaceful life on a remote island changes when a great white pelican becomes stranded. A heartwarming tale of unexpected friendship begins, revealing the power of connection, even in solitude.

Nana Lou

Jun 12 – 12 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 13 – 13 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 14 – 14 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 15 – 15 / Atelier Gardens
You are a guiding spirit helping Nana Lou to navigate her memories, offering her comfort, and actively shaping her farewell. A poignant journey through life, memory, and light.

Soul Paint

Jun 12 – 12 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 13 – 13 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 14 – 14 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 15 – 15 / Atelier Gardens
Embark on a journey of self-discovery and explore how your emotions connect to your body by using 3D drawing to express what you feel. What shape, color, or mood do your feelings take? Experience your inner world like never before in this immersive, creative adventure.

The Guardians of Jade Mountain

Jun 12 – 12 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 13 – 13 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 14 – 14 / Atelier Gardens
Jun 15 – 15 / Atelier Gardens
Taiwan, under Japanese occupation. Based on the true story of the unlikely friendship between Chief Aliman of the Bunun (an Indigenous Taiwanese clan) and Japanese anthropologist Ushinosuke Mori, this is an immersive experience revolving around respect, identity, and fate.

D'Salon

Dive into books and movies with us! We warmly invite you to attend our D’Salon talks, taking place each day, where you can engage in lively discussions with authors, film-makers, and experts. Let the latest non-fiction spark your imagination and then watch the accompanying film. Join in and share your ideas in a casual setting, exploring new viewpoints with us over wine and appetizers.

Fuckup Night Berlin

Jun 14 / 7:00 PM / Atelier Gardens
Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn! Join us for powerful stories of professional downfalls, inspiring discussions, and the courage to fail.

D'Lounge

We invite you to experience selected films at special locations. Come along and experience exciting films in a special atmosphere - from the Berlin club scene to the Berlinische Galerie, everything is included!

Blue Road

Jun 17 / 7:00 PM / Tresor Globus
Tresor, Berlin’s legendary techno club, is a landmark in the history of electronic music. A literary journey into the past.

Any Other Way

Jun 18 / 6:00 PM / The Yaam
Since 1994, YAAM has been a vital hub for Berlin’s subculture.

Ways to Traverse a Territory

Jun 18 / 6:00 PM / Kunsthaus Dahlem
A post-war modernist gem near Grunewald.

She Rises Up

Jun 19 - 19 / Kunsthaus Dahlem
“…an eye-opening, moving and empowering documentary about women from different countries who start a business to help their communities escape poverty.” NYC Gur

The Accidental President

Jun 19 / 8:30 PM / Nomadenkino
Nomadenkino turns Berlin’s courtyards, rooftops, and hidden corners into open-air cinemas.

Ouvidor

Jun 20 / 6:00 PM / Kater Blau
Kater Blau, a legendary riverside club, offers outdoor space and quirky corners.

Our Event Passes

Super Early Bird Festival

Regular: 65,00 €

Reduced: 58,00 €

Enjoy unlimited access to all public events and available streams (until June 31). Plus, receive a Dokumentale T-Shirts.

Super Early Bird Select 5+5

Regular: 34,00 €

Reduced: 28,00 €

Attend 5 events and stream 5 films of your choice (until June 31).

Super Early Bird Family Select 5+5 Pass

1 Adult + 1 Kid: 50,00 €

1 Adult + 2 Kids: 65,00 €

For grown-ups and little explorers – your festival favorites, their kids' picks, all in one pass!

Early Bird Accreditation

Regular: 72,00 €

Reduced: 54,00 €

AG DOK: 52,00 €

Join our industry program from June 12 - 15, 2025. Plus, enjoy access to 10 selected events from our festival lineup throughout the festival.

All prices quoted are total prices including VAT.
* Reduced price for students, volunteers, trainees, unemployed people, disability ID card holders and interns.
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