Mut zur Utopie

In light of multiple crises, devastating wars, authoritarian systems, rapid technological developments, worsening climate catastrophe and rampant environmental destruction, how do we view our social coexistence on this planet? What answers do we want to give? What stories do we want to tell? What ideas do we want to pursue? Who belongs to the ‘we’ and who is marginalised? How can we combat exclusion and exploitation?

This year's theme, ‘The Courage to Imagine Utopia’, invites us to explore these questions in a selection of very different films from recent years. The works presented contain imaginative speculation and visions of the future, as well as small, quiet moments of solidarity, optimism and hope. Many of the characters and people portrayed find themselves in difficult circumstances, but all the contributions are imbued with an encouraging ‘nevertheless,’ a defiant ‘now more than ever.’

17 October 2025 11:00 Opening VIDEO ART EXHIBITION: SCENES FROM TRIAL AND ERROR by Tekla Aslanishvili

Location: Nassauischer Kunstverein

14 November 2025, 7 p.m. MEMORY OF PRINCESS MUMBI

Location: Caligari FilmBühne

15 November 2025, 5 p.m. ARTIST TALK

Location: Nassauischer Kunstverein

15 November 2025, 6 p.m. Opening of the photo exhibition UNDERNEATH THE CALM STREETS OF IRAN by Forough Alaei

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

15 November 2025, 7 p.m. KAKTUSFRÜCHTE

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

16 November 2025, 8 p.m. UTOPIA VS. DYSTOPIA with Bernd Brehmer

Location: Crypt of the Marktkirche

17 November 2025, 5 p.m. RED FOREST

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

18 November 2025, 5 p.m. IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT THE NEED TO WRITE HISTORY ARISES

Location: Crypt of the Marktkirche

18 November 2025, 7:30 p.m. HOLDING LIAT

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

19 November 2025, 5:30 p.m. ANCESTRAL VISIONS OF THE FUTURE

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

20 November 2025, 5:00 p.m. LAZY GIRLS

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

20 November 2025, 7:30 p.m. OUR TIME WILL COME

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

21 November 2025, 5:00 p.m. SUÇUARANA

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

21 November 2025, 7 p.m. SORRY, BABY

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

21 November 2025, 7:30 p.m. READING: BIOTOPIA by Sascha Reh

Location: Literaturhaus Villa Clementine

22 November 2025, 3 p.m. Panel discussion on the main theme with art historian and art theorist Sebastian Mühl (Utopias of Contemporary Art, 2020) and some of the filmmakers

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

22 November 2025, 5 p.m. SHORT FILM PROGRAMME ON THE THEME

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

23 November 2025, 12 noon NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND

Location: Murnau Film Theatre

For years, exground filmfest has been one of the largest and most important film festivals in Hesse – with a very positive response far beyond the state's borders. Between 1990 and 2024, audience numbers rose by almost 650% to around 15,000. Every year, exground filmfest is not only an important attraction for film enthusiasts from near and far for ten days in November, but also an important discussion forum for around 250 accredited journalists, trade visitors and guests from the film industry – in other words, for important multipliers from within the industry and beyond.

In 2025, the festival will take place for the 38th time – reason enough to take a look back and review the most important developments since the founding of exground filmfest.