Film Restored 2025

Under the motto “Action”, Film Restored 2025 throws a spotlight on agency and fast action in film and film history, and on the swift work of those who rescue film material. From 22 to 26 October, the film heritage festival is celebrating its tenth year. Attendees of the festival can look forward to digital restorations, workshops, talks and discussions. Films made in thirteen countries will be shown, from as early as the 1910s and up until 2000. The Prize of the Association of German Cinematheques will also be presented during the festival.

– with a dash of cult appeal and a pinch of subversion

When you think of the combination of “action” and film, the genre of the same name quickly comes to mind. The genre’s signature fistfights and sword fights, spectacular stunts, and fast-paced movements, visuals, and editing will certainly be on display at Film Restored. Yet the films in the festival go far beyond the boundaries of the oft-cited Hollywood action genre: such as the long-lost and newly restored *Adventure on the Night Express* (Germany, 1925), in which Harry Piel captivates audiences with daredevil stunts on a speeding train. Or the equally influential and cult classics “A Touch of Zen” (TWN, 1970) and “Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain” (HK, 1983), which thrill audiences with their excitingly choreographed fights. In the Mexican film *La mujer murciélago* (1968), the eponymous “Batwoman” wrestles and dives her way through a dangerous conspiracy—a pulp classic that will be screened as a special event in the Kinemathek’s auditorium. To wrap things up, a Hollywood action icon will round out the festival: Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest” (USA 1959). 

... and cinematic “calls to action”

But “action” is much more than just a genre. That’s why the festival doesn’t stop there, but invites us to rethink “action” in film in an entirely new way. Consider films such as *Mein Feind* (Germany, 1993), which addresses violence against women and women’s violent fantasies; *Lieber Herr Doktor* (Switzerland, 1977) about abortion, “The Heart of the Matter” (USA, 1994) on the taboo subject of women and AIDS, or “Witches & Faggots, Dykes & Poofters” (Australia, 1980) about police assaults on participants in the first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney. These documentaries follow activists or are themselves acts of activism. They aim to spark discussion, action, and change—and in some cases, they succeed in doing so even at the political level.

... and Acts of Resistance

The film examples presented so far already demonstrate that a struggle for agency and opportunities for action runs through the festival entries. Time and again, film history defines “action” as an act of resistance within a limited scope of action. This resistance manifests itself at the festival in various extremes. On the one hand, there are the residents of a brutally run nursing home in *Home Sweet Home* (BEL/FRA 1973), who are seeking a complete breakdown. On the other hand, there are characters like the outcast teacher in the visually stunning *Hakkâri'de Bir Mevsim* (TR 1982) or the prisoner presumed dead in *Happy Day* (GR 1976)—characters whose actions consist of not giving up and persevering. Thus, in film history, action is sometimes very quiet and calm.

– Preservation and Remembrance

Preservation is not a passive process, but a very active one. Collecting, examining, cataloging, safeguarding, repairing, restoring, and making materials accessible again and anew—all of this is what an archive entails. And it is the prerequisite for being able to screen the films at this festival. Special attention is given to contributions such as Anke Wilkening’s workshop report on the documentary film *Women in Berlin* (GDR 1982), whose director, Chetna Vora, smuggled the rough cut into her home in an unprecedented rescue operation and preserved it in the form of a video copy that has survived to this day. Chantal Partamian presents “Katsakh,” an archive of small-format documentary films. This initiative aims not only to collect and preserve the previously suppressed history and culture of the Eastern Mediterranean region, but also to use them in a collaborative and artistic way to create space for new perspectives on the past and the future. Memory as action!

This year, for the 26th time, repertory cinemas and film culture initiatives will be awarded the Prize of the Association of German Cinematheques. Repertory cinemas are experts in getting across the many facets of “action” in film – and are themselves important players in making film heritage visible. The supporting program for the association’s award inspires cinemas to screen new restorations linked to the theme of action. The Honorary Prize of the Association of German Cinematheques in 2025 will be awarded to the philosopher and film scholar Heide Schlüpmann.

Sinema Transtopia
Lindower Str. 20/22
13347 Berlin

Deutsche Kinemathek
Mauerstraße 79
10117 Berlin

All the information at a glance: Download the 2025 festival program here in a practical PDF.

→ Film Restored program 2025

Until 31 Jan 2026, you can watch additional films on the topic of “Action” online via “Selects”, the Kinemathek’s streaming service. Free of charge and without registration or accreditation!
 

→ Go to streaming

Accreditation was possible until 10 Oct. Film tickets can be purchased directly at the venues: at Sinema Transtopia on site or via the online ticket shop, and at the Deutsche Kinemathek at the box office.

Do you have any questions? The Film Restored team will be happy to answer them at filmrestored [at] deutsche-kinemathek.de (filmrestored[at]deutsche-kinemathek[dot]de)