Dear audience, dear festival team,

Over 200 films in ten days, plus more than 100 international guests. In the coming days, a program awaits us in Wiesbaden that will open up new perspectives, spark debates and invite us to immerse ourselves in the lives of others. Whether up-and-coming regional talents or highlights from major international festivals – the exground filmfest team has curated yet another festival edition with precision and a keen eye.

We are particularly delighted to see an appearance by director Sylvie Hohlbaum’s film KUTTE, which was made with the support of Hessen Film & Medien and will be competing for the audience award in the German Short Film Competition. The fact that the audience has a say here is an expression of the special connection between the festival and its viewers, which has characterised exground filmfest for many years.

Another highlight is the Wiesbaden Special, which will also feature contributions from young filmmakers at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences. This year’s motto for the new festival section, focussing on a different thematic area every year, is “Courageously Utopian”. With this initiative, exground filmfest opens up space for debates about positive visions of the future, sending a particularly important signal at this moment in time.

In addition, the Amnesty International Wiesbaden Film Award will be presented for the second time. With this collaboration, exground filmfest is taking a clear stand for human rights, an open society, diversity and dialogue across cultural and political boundaries.

In 2025, exground filmfest is continuing to create spaces for discussion around films that we as a society urgently need. With its dedicated work, outstanding programs and extraordinary guests, exground filmfest has developed into an internationally recognised festival and become an integral part of Wiesbaden’s cultural calendar.

I wish the festival team exciting festival days and all guests unforgettable cinema experiences.

Anna Schoeppe, Managing Director of Hessen Film & Medien GmbH