The 42nd FILMFEST MÃœNCHEN has once again proven why it is considered the most important platform for German filmmaking. Between 27 June and 6 July 2025, more than 91,000 visitors flocked to around 600 film screenings and events in Munich - a record result that above all reflects the high level of curiosity and openness of the audience.
For the first time, the official attendance figures also included at least 16,000 participants in the numerous film industry networking events. These events, which have significantly shaped the festival over the years, show how closely FILMFEST is interwoven with the German and international film industry.
Artistic directors Christoph Gröner and Julia Weigl emphasise the special significance of the festival: "Film challenges us, changes our perspectives, makes us think. And entertains, of course. Thank you for an outstanding festival week." With this focus on respectful dialogue between the audience and filmmakers, the festival succeeds in presenting new discoveries time and time again.
The festival also brought together numerous big names from the film industry: panels, workshops and receptions took place at the Beergarden Convention in the Amerikahaus festival centre and at other locations. Institutions such as FFF Bayern, Bavaria Film, Constantin Film, Wild Bunch, Netflix, Disney and Amazon hosted their own events and showcased the diversity of the industry.
Stars such as Gillian Anderson, Stellan Skarsgård and Jay Duplass walked the turquoise Isar Carpet and provided highlights on the red carpet. Standing ovations in the Deutsches Theater and numerous premiere parties provided the setting for an intense communal experience for film fans.
The crowning finale was the award ceremony in the five competitions CineCoPro, CineMasters, CineVision, CineRebels and CineKindl as well as the honouring of the FIPRESCI Prize, the Young Jury Award and the three Audience Awards. The New German Cinema Awards were presented on Friday evening - a sign of support for up-and-coming talent and innovation in German cinema.
The 42nd FILMFEST MÃœNCHEN has not only created numbers, but above all many new perspectives - a strong signal for the future of film and a successful festival of diverse stories.