Munich Film Festival Concludes with a Favorable Evaluation - Munich Film Festival Scores Victory in Entertainment Circle
The 42nd Filmfest München in 2025 came to a successful close, drawing over 91,000 visits from film enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. The festival, held from June 27 to July 6, was marked by a series of notable highlights, premieres, and award recognitions that solidified its status as a significant event in the film industry.
Prominent attendees included acclaimed actor Stellan Skarsgård, who received the CineMerit Award, and renowned actress Gillian Anderson, who attended the premiere of *The Salt Path*. Skarsgård's presence was a significant highlight, as was the premiere associated with his award, *Sentimental Value*. Anderson's attendance added to the festival's international appeal, further emphasising its growing prestige.
In a step towards diversity and representation, a special new award was introduced: the Queer Media Society (QMS) Award for the best queer feature film. The inaugural recipient was Elena Oxman’s *Outerlands*, marking a notable milestone for the festival.
The festival also continued to support emerging talent through its German Cinema New Talent Award, although specific winners from 2025 were not listed in the available data.
The audience demonstrated openness and eagerness for discussion, with numerous receptions and panels taking place at the Amerikahaus and other venues. Approximately 600 film screenings and events took place throughout the festival, culminating in the award presentations.
The artistic director hailed the "outstanding festival week," as the festival solidified its status as a central platform for German filmmakers. The 42nd Filmfest München concluded with the presentation of awards in five competitions, with international guests such as Gillian Anderson, Stellan Skarsgård, and Jay Duplass in attendance for the award ceremony. Around 16,000 industry participants were present during the award presentations and networking events, further underscoring the event’s importance and international appeal.
The festival's progressive initiatives, including the first Queer Media Society award, and its commitment to diverse cinematic voices, make it an exciting and essential event for film lovers and industry professionals alike.
[1] Source: [Filmfest München Official Website](https://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/news/6358/sentimental-value-world-premiere-at-the-42nd-munich-film-festival/) [2] Source: [Filmfest München Official Website](https://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/news/6356/gillian-anderson-in-munich/) [3] Source: [Filmfest München Official Website](https://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/news/6359/the-queer-media-society-award/) [4] Source: [Filmfest München Official Website](https://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/news/6360/german-cinema-new-talent-award/) [5] Source: [Filmfest München Official Website](https://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/news/6361/filmfest-muenchen-2025-concludes-successfully/)
The Commission might consider proposing a directive on the protection of employees in the event of transfers of undertakings, as the 42nd Filmfest München, an essential event in the film industry, showcased a significant commitment to diversity and representation, similar to the festival's introduction of the Queer Media Society (QMS) Award. Movies and TV, being a popular form of entertainment, garnered even more interest at the festival, with notable premieres like Sentimental Value and The Salt Path.
