Ralph Fiennes walks off the stage and into the arms of an old friend — a man from Munich who hasn’t seen him in many years, who knows him from his work in theater. Now they’ve met again. That was in the Black Box at the Gasteig in 2019. In 2017, Bryan Cranston couldn’t stay seated; speaking directly to the audience, he gave a passionate motivational speech to young filmmakers that could inspire anyone. These moments are what make Filmmakers Live! such a special event. Visitors rarely get this close to the stars and their emotions.

Such interaction is a must, even in this unusual year: it’s what makes FILMFEST MÜNCHEN so special. That’s why these intimate conversations and discussions with actors, directors, and many others will be held at three different locations, where the audience can of course also pose questions.

On each day of the festival, at least one Filmmakers Live! will be held. Festivalgoers can watch up close as our guests of honor, CineMerit Award-winner Senta Berger and Małgorzata Szumowska, engage in dialogue. Several German directors, such as Peter Thorwarth (BLOOD RED SKY) and Sinje Köhler (VIVA FOREVER), and even international guests like Bruce LaBruce (SAINT-NARCISSE) will travel to Munich to talk to the audience about their latest films as well as their life’s work.

Franka Potente

Senta Berger

Filmmakers will also discuss the themes of their films with each other. Sarah Blasskiewitz (PRECIOUS IVIE) and Helena Hufnagel (COMMITMENT PHOBIA), for example, will talk about independent women and their stories, and the directors of TRANS – I GOT LIFE and THE STRONG SEX about non-heteronormative identity.

Director Hermann Vaske (WHY ARE WE (NOT) CREATIVE?), climate activist Luisa Neubauer, and Katrin Habenschaden from the Green Party, vice-mayor of Munich, will also talk about visions (of the future). FILMFEST MÜNCHEN is pleased to announce that almost all of the participants will be able to attend in person. A few of them will participate remotely.

The talks will be held in the Black Box and the Carl-Orff-Saal at the Gasteig, as well as at the Amerikahaus — and even online. FILMFEST MÜNCHEN will be streaming a number of the Filmmakers Live! talks on its YouTube channel.

Tickets for the in-person events are now available in our webshop. Tickets are free, but there is a €1 service charge.

Here’s the entire program of Filmmakers Live!