Dokville 2025: Opposing populism, championing free speech
In the heart of Stuttgart, Germany, the House of Documentary Film (HDF) is preparing for another instalment of the Dokville Documentary Film Congress. This unique European institution, dedicated to promoting, presenting, and collecting documentary films, is set to host its annual event from an impressive lineup of partners, including MFG, ARTE, SWR, the Federal Agency for Civic Education/bpb, the Film Commission Region Stuttgart, and the ZKM Karlsruhe.
The event, organized by Haus des Dokumentarfilms (HDF), brings together industry professionals, film and cinema enthusiasts, and culturally interested individuals for a three-day gathering of lectures, documentary films, and discussions. This year's main theme is "Right-wing extremism in Germany - documentary positions," aiming to provide a platform for constructive conversations about the challenges facing media professionals in the face of the strengthening of right-wing extremist, authoritarian, and anti-democratic forces.
Manfred Hattendorf, chairman of HDF, emphasizes the importance of using classic means of serious journalism, good research, and a persistent documentary gaze in the fight against right-wing conspiracy theories and narratives. Eric Friedler, managing director and program director at HDF, states that Dokville is a place of learning and values open words, listening, and civil discourse.
Keynote speakers, panelists, and guests at the event include Michel Friedman, Thomas Strobl (CDU), Cem Özdemir, Stephan Kramer, Peter Müller, Kai Gniffke, and Campino. Sigrun Köhler and Wiltrud Baier, known as "Böller and Brot," will give insight into their working methods and showcase their documentaries "Gravel Like Hay" and "Who's Afraid of Sybille Berg."
Topics under discussion at the event range from the "Nazi cartel" and cocaine trafficking to the constitution, the state of democracy, press freedom, streaming, and media libraries. Interior Minister Strobl will have a conversation with Campino under the title "Punk meets politics."
The location of the congress has been the Hospitalhof since 2022. The speed-dating event for filmmakers, funded by MFG, has already been fully booked. The HDF offers a comprehensive online platform, film screenings, master classes, workshops, and annual specialist conferences like DOKVILLE and the Roman Brodmann Colloquium.
The first Dokville congress took place in 2005, and since 2017, it has been held in Stuttgart. Dokville does not tolerate populist sound bites or authoritarian voices, according to Friedler. The event features films and narrative documentary forms to open a debate room and discuss the state of democracy and commitment to a democratic society.
For more information about the Dokville Documentary Film Congress 2023, we encourage you to visit the official website, follow film-related social media channels or news outlets, reach out to film industry networks, or contact local film organizations in Stuttgart.
- General-news: This year's main theme at the Dokville Documentary Film Congress, an event hosted by Haus des Dokumentarfilms (HDF) in Stuttgart, Germany, is "Right-wing extremism in Germany - documentary positions."
- Politics: Keynote speakers, panelists, and guests at the event include Thomas Strobl (CDU), Cem Özdemir, and Campino, who will have a conversation under the title "Punk meets politics."
