This November, Kinofest officially returns to Ho Chi Minh City!

To what extent are we truly free to shape our own lives? What happens when personal desires collide with family expectations, rigid dogmas, or social norms? And how can individuals listen, understand, and forge genuine connections across the vast distances that separate us?

Under our overarching narrative of freedom, coming-of-age, and the longing for connection, the program traces the journeys of individuals standing at crucial crossroads. From historical struggles for autonomy and the quiet friction within precarious work environments to the emotional turmoil of youth and the cost of artistic integrity, these stories explore the delicate balance between conformity, resistance, and human vulnerability.

Discover the 8 films featured in this year’s official program:

1. Oh, This Unspeakable Void (Ach, Diese Lücke, Diese Entsetzliche Lücke), 2026 – Director: Simon Verhoeven.
2. In Good Faith (Gotteskinder), 2024 – Director: Frauke Lodders.
3. Rose, 2026 – Director: Markus Schleinzer.
4. I Understand Your Displeasure (Ich Verstehe Ihren Unmut), 2026 – Director: Kilian Armando Friedrich.
5. The Last Whale Singer (Der Letzte Walsänger), 2025 – Directors: Reza Memari, Pavel Hruboš.
6. Luisa, 2025 – Director: Julia Roesler.
7. Silent Friend (Stille Freundin), 2025 – Director: Ildikó Enyedi.
8. Yellow Letters (Gelbe Briefe), 2026 – Director: Ilker Çatak.

(All films will be screened in their original language with English and Vietnamese subtitles.)

More details on venues, screening schedules, and ticketing in HCMC will be updated on Goethe-Institut Ho Chi Minh City Facebook page.