Ahead of this week’s opening, the 45th Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) places a dedicated spotlight on contemporary German filmmaking. Focus on New German Cinema: Extreme Tension, presented in collaboration with German Films, is a special series showcasing six standout features from emerging directors who are reshaping the landscape of modern European cinema.
“German cinema has long been celebrated for its inventive craft and intellectual rigour, but this new generation of filmmakers is distinguished by the unique perspectives and lived experiences they’re bringing to their work,” says Curtis Woloschuk, VIFF Director of Programming. “The thematically complex titles in Extreme Tension grapple with personal and systemic friction in ways that are perceptive and provocative. We are thrilled to partner with German Films to give these extraordinary new voices a prominent stage in Vancouver.”
Simone Baumaann, Managing Director of German Films, adds: “Alongside Toronto, Vancouver is the most important festival in Canada and, for us, a key platform to present German cinema to a young and diverse audience, interested in European cinema. At the same time, Vancouver has a strong infrastructure in the film and media industries and, with its educational institutions, is an important place for the next generation of international filmmakers. VIFF’s decision to focus on debut films and new voices from Germany with the program ‘Focus On New German Cinema: Extreme Tension’ makes this year’s selection especially exciting and forward-looking.”
The series features works that are psychologically complex, visually striking, and deeply socially engaged, including;
- The Ballad From Wednesday to Thursday by Christoph Otto (North American Premiere) | Filmmaker in attendance
- Dear Future Self by Ella Cieslinski and Nina Wesemann (International Premiere) | Filmmaker in attendance
- I Understand Your Displeasure by Kilian Armando Friedrich (Canadian Premiere)
- Prosecution by Faraz Shariat (Canadian Premiere)
- Sometimes, I Imagine Them All at a Party by Daniela Magnani Hüller (North American Premiere) | Filmmaker in attendance
- Trial of Hein by Kai Stänicke (Canadian Premiere) | Filmmaker in attendance
VIFF’s Industry program welcomes Berlin-based editor Evelyn Rackto present the masterclass Editing as Discovery: Narrative, Instinct, and the Unpredictable. Rack’s credits include Mascha Schilinski’s Sound of Falling, which won the Prix du Jury at Cannes 2025, and Mohsen Gharaei’s drama Moragheb (Falling House), which premiered in the Orizzonti section of the 2026 Venice Film Festival. Rack will also serve as a juror for VIFF’s inaugural Work-in-Progress Section.
Other acclaimed titles amongst the 26 German productions or co-productions in this year’s VIFF lineup include the acclaimed; ?lker Çatak’s Yellow Letters, Visar Morina’s Shame and Money, Sandra Wollner’s Everytime. Additionally, multi award-winning German actress Sara Hüller stars in two VIFF presentations; Pawe? Pawlikowski’s Fatherland, which won Best Director at Cannes, as well as the Canadian premiere of Markus Schleinzer’s Rose, which earned her the Berlinale’s Silver Bear for Best Performance.
The 45th Vancouver International Film Festival runs October 1-11, 2026 at various cinemas around Vancouver. For complete FOCUS programming details, and to purchase passes and tickets visit viff.org