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17th Cologne Cinema Nights: A Compact and Affordable Film Festival

The 17th edition of Cologne Cinema Nights is set to take place from May 21 to 25, 2025, at various locations in the city. This year's event promises a tightly packed film program, offering a diverse selection of documentaries and feature films from various cinemas, film festivals, and cultural institutions.

One of the highlights of this year's event is the screening of "Timestamp," a documentary by Kateryna Hornostaj. The film, which premiered at this year's Berlinale, offers a poignant portrayal of children attending school in Ukraine amidst war, interspersed with air raid sirens and moments of silence. The film relies on pure observation and has no interviews, but the music often underscores the hope present in the film.

Another noteworthy film is "Pride & Stubbornness" by Gerd Kroske, which will be presented for the first time on our website. This film also premiered at this year's Berlinale and features interviews and observations of DDR workers who were affected by layoffs in the early 90s, unearthed from video tapes from the former Leipzig pirate station KANAL X.

In a unique collaboration, the French Cultural Institute will present "Histoire du Souleymane" at the 17th Cologne Cinema Nights. This film, which has already won over a dozen international awards, including two European Film Awards, tells the story of a Guinean bicycle deliveryman preparing for his asylum interview.

The 17th Cologne Cinema Nights have moved their date from late June/early July to late May to avoid major events like the World Cup, European Championship, and Christopher Street Day. The organisers have also made a commitment to offering their film program at a more than fair price.

In addition to these films, the 17th Cologne Cinema Nights will showcase seven current Ukrainian documentary and feature films as part of the event. The full film program spans over four days, with screenings taking place at various locations in Cologne.

For those interested in African cinema, the Afrika Film Festival Köln will present "Histoire du Souleymane" during their festival, which takes place from September 18 to 28.

Don't miss out on this exciting lineup of films at the 17th Cologne Cinema Nights. Whether you're a film enthusiast or simply looking for a unique cultural experience, there's something for everyone at this year's event.