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.
Over the next week, we’ll be sharing the first highlights of our programme right here.
Subscribe to our newsletter + stay tuned for the full line-up — 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".

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the midst of Kenya’s drought, 13-year-old Grace and her family struggle to survive. When a storm destroys their home, the only thing that remains is her unwavering positivity. A film about the power of laughter in the face of adversity and one girl’s fight to hold onto her dreams.

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!

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.
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!

The True Science Podcast about coincidences, breakthroughs, and scandals. Discover the emotional, often controversial stories of people who changed the world through science.

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.

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.
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!

Step into the spellbinding world of Peru’s Q’ero people, where ancient rituals, mountain spirits, and cosmic wisdom come alive. A virtual adventure that’s as soulful as it is mind-bending.

On a lonely cliff-island, Jack's peaceful life changes when a great white pelican is stranded. A heartwarming tale of unexpected friendship begins, showing the power of connection in solitude.

As a guiding spirit, you accompany Nana Lou through memories, offer comfort, and actively shape her farewell – a poignant journey between life, memory, and light.
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.

Fuck Up 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.
Our Event Passes
Super Early Bird Festival
Regular: 65,00 €
Reduced: 58,00 €
Enjoy unlimited access to all public events and available streams. Plus, receive one of our amazing 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.
All prices quoted are total prices including VAT.
* Reduced price for students, volunteers, trainees, unemployed people, disability ID card holders and interns.