CiNEMATOMEDIA
SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
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Date & Location
26 OCTOBER 2025, 15:00 - 17:00
Bonn, Brüdergasse 16-18, 53111 Bonn, Germany
A Celebration of Amateur Filmmakers
This event is dedicated to showcasing the creativity and passion of local and international amateur filmmakers. These talented individuals have produced a diverse array of films that delve into significant themes surrounding democracy and freedom of speech.
What is thE CINEMATOMEDIA project?
Most young people, no matter their country, watch films and series as a natural part of their lives, while at the same time growing up in a world where democratic ideals are under pressure. CINEMATOMEDIA uses this passion for cinema to build the capacity of youth workers to foster democratic values, empathy, and critical thinking through film watching and filmmaking. By combining screenings, discussions, seminars, and youth-led short films, the project promotes dialogue, cooperation, and democratic empowerment across Europe and the Middle East.
Event Highlights
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Film Screenings: A selection of recent films that explore various aspects of democracy and the importance of free expression.
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Panel Discussions: Engaging conversations with filmmakers and experts on the impact of film in promoting democratic values
Themes Explored
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Democracy: Films that address the principles of democratic governance and civic engagement.
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Freedom of Speech: Works that highlight the importance of free expression and the challenges faced by those who advocate for it.
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Social Justice: Stories that reflect the struggles for equality and the fight against oppression.
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Community Voices: Films that amplify the perspectives of underrepresented groups in society.
Join Us
We invite you to participate in this celebration of creativity and social consciousness. Together, let's honor the power of film as a medium for change and dialogue in our communities and beyond.
Films to be screened
"Between Two Homes"
Creator: Toqa Abdelmageed
Synopsis: Amid an ongoing war, two Palestinian refugees from Gaza arrive in Egypt, carrying with them the weight of destruction and personal losses that the war has mercilessly carved into their lives.
Each woman struggles to find her way in an unfamiliar society, while the war continues to chase them in every detail of their new reality. This documentary captures their exhausting journey of seeking safety in a world determined to uproot them.
"We Helped Back Then"
Creators: Hazuki Fukuda, Louis Wiers, Guillermo Arce Stumpf, & Charlotte Mousnier
Actors: Ahmad Othman, Yunus Schmidt, & Suzanna Treumann
Synopsis: After October 7th, a German man begins to question his government’s unconditional solidarity with Israel. He meets a mysterious Palestinian art galerist who invites him to a magical art exhibition. Through their conversations about the paintings, the German man slowly unlearns his distorted view of Palestinian history.
As truths unfold, he begins to see through Germany’s celebrated memory culture—the claim of having "masterfully learned from the Nazi past"— revealed as an image campaign built on a toxic relationship with Israel, at the cost of Palestinian lives…
A provoking poetry film that raises the question: Will humanity ever learn “Never again for everyone" ?
"Next Top Employee"
Synopsis: Next Top Employee is a dark corporate satire set in a sterile office turned reality show stage, where four finalists—arrogant Anna, passionate rookie Aris, experienced but fragile Eleni, and the indifferent Stratos—face their final tasks in a cut-throat competition for employment. Under the cold supervision of a lifeless HR figure, they are tested not just on their efficiency, but on their ability to survive under pressure.
When Stratos abruptly clocks out at 6:00 PM and Anna fails the first task, the finale becomes a tense head-to-head between Aris and Eleni. Despite their bond, Eleni, overwhelmed by anxiety, betrays Aris by anonymously leaking a screenshot. Aris is fired. Eleni is crowned the winner—only to receive, amidst confetti and corporate applause, a €100 voucher.
As she unwraps the prize with dead eyes, the absurdity of her victory becomes painfully clear.
The system always wins.
"Truth Needs a Voice"
Creators: Guillermo Arce Stumpf, Charlotte Mousnier, Hazuki Fukuda, & Louis Wiers
Synopsis: Anna is a quiet student who is about to discover a somber truth. The soaring heat of summer on her back and a dubious onslaught from the media pushes her to ask hard questions about the climate. Yet she will find uncomfortable answers. Moved to action by her reveal, she finds her purpose in taking action against the deniers.
A story told with many languages more than words, Truth Needs a Voice is a haunting reminder of the current environmental crisis and a provoking piece to reflect, question and perhaps, as with Anna, spur us to action.