Three people on an industrial site at night, one pointing energetically, others standing quietly, concrete ruins in the background, scene looks tense.

Festival

Film Restored – The Film Heritage Festival

22.–26.10.25

This year we celebrate 10 years of the film heritage festival! The focus of this anniversary edition: agency and fast action.

 

“Action”

  • Contact

    filmrestored [at] deutsche-kinemathek.de (filmrestored[at]deutsche-kinemathek[dot]de)

This year, under the motto “Action”, the tenth edition of the Film Restored festival throws a spotlight on agency and fast action in film, film history, and the work of those who rescue film material. In its 10th year, this anniversary edition of the festival from 22 to 26 October 2025 will present digital restorations, workshops, lectures and discussion events for joint viewing and exchange.

The deadline for submissions ended on 15 May 2025. The full program with information on how to participate in the festival will be published at the beginning of September.

 

Film Restored is an annual festival that shows restored films grouped around an alternating theme from different countries, periods and contexts. This film heritage festival brings different perspectives into dialogue. The aim is not just to attend screenings together but also to talk about them. Discussions, workshop talks and lectures shed light on how films were historically received or marginalized and how they can inform us today.

Action...

...in film

The action film is a genre unto itself that has taken on numerous forms and crossovers, from war epic to thriller to superhero film. They all share a great deal of physical action, and the images themselves, or the way in which they are edited, convey high speed. This year’s festival aims to bring together diverse – including alternative and subversive – interpretations of the genre.

Film Restored 2025 also goes a step further to include submissions of films produced under particularly dynamic conditions: films shot at high speed due to financial restrictions. Or films involving stories of turbulent production conditions.

...in society

The story of action and film is not only that of action in films or during filming, but also of what action a film can generate. Historically, films have often been used as a “call to action” — as a political, social or commercial mobilization of viewers. It has often been an attempt to establish new ways of thinking and behaviour in times of uncertainty and controversial interpretations. In this way, the festival aims to shed light on propaganda, educational and advertising films. It will also include films made with an investigative aim or which seek to change public awareness and action. Films produced by the state or institutions, as well as in the context of social activism and political movements, are of interest. In addition, we invite films that were not aimed at any specific mobilization but that caused a social reaction in the form of protest, scandal, and so on.

...in archives

Contrary to popular belief, film preservation requires a lot of action. Among other things, the festival addresses case studies where action had to be taken particularly quickly to save the continued existence of the films or where a neglected collection received new attention. The festival will also examine the following questions: Which new approaches can be used to reactivate historical films for different public spheres? How can different stakeholders contribute and collaborate toward the preservation and the visibility of films?

The deadline for submissions ended on 15 May 2025. 

Submissions (new film restorations, workshop reports, workshops, panel discussions and academic lectures) were invited from the area of: 
 

- Action films
- War films
- Slapstick comedies
- Early films that play with elements of movement and dynamism
- Films of any genre that use action and speed in relevant moments (editing, chases, fight scenes, stunts, etc.)
- Violence in film
- Action and gender
- Films that were shot or produced at high speed
- Films where shooting and production conditions were turbulent (logistical challenges, etc.)
- Propaganda, educational and advertising films aimed at encouraging specific behaviour and action
- Films by activist groups and political movements
- Protest films
- Investigative films, revelatory films
- Films that caused social reactions (scandals, protests etc.)
- Films and collections that required particularly quick action to preserve their continued existence
- Previously or temporarily neglected stocks that were or should be reconsidered
- Innovative approaches to mobilize historical films for today’s audiences, even beyond cinema screenings
 

A decision will be made by early July and the programme will be published at the beginning of September. A limited budget for fees and travel expenses is available.

Funded by

  • Stiftung Deutsche Kinemathek is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.