DOK.fest 2026
Deutsches Theater München and DOK.fest Munich present
This event is in the past.
Deutsches Theater Meets DOK.fest
Two Munich cultural institutions whose influence extends far beyond the city limits. The Deutsches Theater and DOK.fest Munich have been joining forces—and have been doing so successfully for many years now. We are delighted to once again partner with and open this very special festival. For this occasion, our theater auditorium will once again be transformed into the city’s largest cinema for a short time. Our courtyard and foyer provide the perfect setting for the film premieres that will be screened and celebrated here. We are literally rolling out the red carpet for documentary film! The festival’s grand opening ceremony, hosted by its new director Adele Kohout and Thomas Linsmayer, managing director of the Deutsches Theater, will take place on May 6. Following the ceremony, the film Ingeborg Bachmann – Jemand der ich einmal war will be screened. Additional film premieres will follow through May 10.
A View of the World
Over 100 current international documentaries at DOK.fest offer new perspectives on our world. Going beyond daily news coverage, they tell stories of people, relationships, and the realities of life in a wide variety of regions. “The films in this year’s festival program address many […] themes, telling stories of loneliness and connection, of interpersonal relationships, of experiences that span generations, and exploring the impact of political developments on our coexistence,” says Artistic Director Adele Kohout.
Opening Film
DOK.fest will open with the film *Ingeborg Bachmann – Someone I Once Was*, which will also celebrate its world premiere. Regina Schilling’s hybrid film combines fictional scenes with documentary elements. The multi-award-winning actress Sandra Hüller portrays the writer Ingeborg Bachmann (1926–1973). “‘The truth is bearable for human beings,’ a well-known quote by Bachmann, could serve as the theme for our festival this year. For this artistically valuable and socially relevant documentary film allows us to take a closer look, both at our world and at one another,” Kohout continued.
Festival opening with the opening film
INGEBORG BACHMANN – JEMAND, DER EINMAL ICH WAR
Germany, Austria, 2026, Regina Schilling, 96 min.
Sandra Hüller portrays Ingeborg Bachmann on an imaginary day in Rome. Regina Schilling’s hybrid film weaves together reenactments, archival footage, and Bachmann’s own writings into a portrait that offers a refreshing new perspective on the author and positions her writings as a reference point in current debates on gender relations and power.
© Herbert List Magnum Photos OSTKREUZ Archiv
More movies
DAS GEWICHT DER WELT (THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD)
Germany, 2026, Florian Heinzen-Ziob, 93 min., German, English with German subtitles
Models, calculations, samples: the facts about climate change are on the table, but politicians refuse to acknowledge them. Faced with this dilemma, three scientists decide to leave the laboratory and become activists. Maria, Sebastian, and Nana use their knowledge to maintain integrity between emotion and reason.
© DOK.fest München 2026
FINDING CONNECTION
Germany, 2026, Florian Karner, 80 min., German, English with English subtitles
Four people find emotional closeness in conversations with AI chatbots because their real-life relationships have grown fragile. But after an update in 2024, the platforms change, avatars no longer allow for close intimacy, and the bonds begin to crumble. A film about what we are ultimately looking for in deep relationships.
© DOK.fest München 2026
HELENE WEIGEL – REVOLUTIONÄRIN IM RAMPENLICHT
Germany, Austria 2026, Maria Wischnewski, 102 min., German, English with English subtitles
Who was Helene Weigel? Using impressive archive material, the film follows the convinced communist, acting icon, and free spirit from her early days in theater to her escape from the Nazi regime to the founding and management of the Berliner Ensemble. The result is a powerful portrait that finally puts the “woman behind Brecht” in the spotlight.
© DOK.fest München 2026
WHISTLEBLOWER
Germany, 2025, Marc Bauder, 90 min., German, English, French with German subtitles
A great-nephew of Lumumba exposes corruption in the Congo. US drone pilot reveals that innocent people are systematically being killed in attacks. Marc Bauder profiles people who expose widespread injustices—accompanied by Panama Papers authors Frederik Obermaier and Bastian Obermayer, as well as whistleblower advocate Delphine Halgand-Mishra.
© DOK.fest München 2026
I FOLLOW RIVERS
Norway, 2026, Barbora Hollan, 90, English, Norwegian with English subtitles
Mariann Sæther, professional kayaker, refuses to suppress her sporting drive and settle purely into familial bliss. Instead, she sets out to achieve her twenty-year dream of paddling the Aldeyjarfoss waterfall. A dichotomy of family and sport is ever-present in this epic yet human portrayal of a proud sportswoman.
© DOK.fest München 2026
DOK.fest Munich and the Deutsches Theater present as part of the Long Night of Music:
WACKEN
Germany, 2026, Cordula Kablitz-Post, 87 min., German, English with English subtitles
Mud, power outages, heavy rain – and yet Wacken draws crowds every year. For over three decades, Wacken Open Air has stood for friendship, perseverance, and a tight-knit community. With metal legends such as Kreator, Doro Pesch, and Motörhead, Wacken turns into an exceptional event – and a home away from home for fans from all over the world.
© Beetz Brothers film production GmbH
Following the film screening, there will be a live concert featuring musicians from recent years at Wacken Open Air.
NUISANCE BEAR
USA, Canada, UK 202, Jack Weisman, Gabriela Osio Vanden, 90 min, English and Inuktitut with English subtitles
A polar bear is forced to navigate a human world of tourists, wildlife officers, and hunters as its ancient migration collides with modern life. When a sacred predator is branded a nuisance, it becomes unclear who truly belongs in this shared landscape.
© DOK.fest München 2026
HER RACE TO SPACE
Germany, France, French Guiana, USA, Switzerland, 2025, Lena Leonhardt, 90 minutes, German, English, French, Italian with English subtitles
Five years ago, Hélène Huby founded The Exploration Company—a startup based in Planegg near Munich that builds space capsules for space stations and is giving Elon Musk’s SpaceX a run for its money. Portrait of an extraordinary entrepreneur who proves that cooperation and humanity go further than power play.
© DOK.fest München 2026
Documentary Films from Around the World
For the 41st time, DOK.fest Munich is bringing stories from all over the world to the big screen. And not just in our theater, but at a wide variety of venues throughout the city. Once again this year, the program features over 100 documentary films. Going beyond daily news coverage, they tell stories of people, relationships, and the realities of life in a diverse range of regions. “The films in this year’s festival program address many themes, telling stories of loneliness and connection, of interpersonal relationships, of experiences that resonate across generations, and exploring the impact of political developments on our coexistence,” says Artistic Director Adele Kohout.
Fotos © Ronny Heine, Mirja Kofler, Dominik Petzold, DOK.fest München