#oF Next - cinema for the young generation

With #oF Next, the 59th International Hofer Film Days open the doors to film culture for a young audience: Our goal is to bring cinema closer to especially under-18s and to offer access to current, socially relevant topics through feature films—directly, approachable, and on a level with young people.

The films in the overall program of the 59th International Hofer Film Days carry an age rating of 18+ for safety reasons, unless they have undergone an FSK (Voluntary Self-Control) examination. In order for under-18s to be able to see films during the festival, a separate age rating is required since many productions do not have a German FSK rating. In Bavaria, this task is handled by the Bavarian Film Rating Committee (BMGA). The independent body issues provisional festival clearances, enabling the age-appropriate presentation of films. A selection of our program has been rated with a festival clearance by the BMGA and approved for screening within our #oF Next section by the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labour and Social Affairs – Upper State Youth Authority.

#oF Next presents cinema that goes straight to the heart. Here, personal stories take center stage, spark curiosity, invite empathy, and show how democracy works in everyday life. The films tell of courage, friendship, solidarity, and the small and large moments in the lives of young people.

In addition to these screenings, which are part of the regular program, #oF Next also offers special screenings for schools, youth organizations, and groups. After screenings, moderated discussions answer questions and invite participants to share their ideas. This creates a genuine dialogue that is pedagogically guided and leaves ample room for new thoughts.

We would like to thank everyone who made this program possible—especially the BMGA, the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labour and Social Affairs – Upper State Youth Authority—and the funding initiative of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth within the framework of the Federal Program “Democracy Lives!”

In the #oF Next section, seven screenings can be discovered, each consisting of a short film and a feature film:

Rated 12 and up: 

1. LES PETITS MONSTRES, directed by Pablo Léridon, France, Language: France with English Subtitles, 13 Min.) 
   WHEN WE WERE SISTERS, directed by Lisa Brühlmann, Switzerland, Greece, language: Swiss German, English, Greek with English Subtitles, 100 min
   
2. SWIMMING IN MONEY OR HOW WE WENT DOWN TOGETHER, Directed by Paul Hordych, Germany, language: German with English Subtitles, 14 min
   END OF THE CIRCLE, directed by Mareike Danisch, Germany, language: German with English subtitles, 98 min.
   
3. TURTLE & ALBION, directed by Fitore Muzaqi, Germany, language: German with English subtitles, 18 min.
   SUNNY, directed by Silke Engler, Germany, language: German/English with English subtitles, 94 min.
   
4. JACARÉ, Rdirected by Victor Quintanilha, Brazil, language: Portuguese with English subtitles, 17 min.
   TOGETHER APART, directed by Alexander Conrads, Germany, language: German, 94 min.
   
5. LOU, directed by Tara Maurel, France, language: French with English subtitles, 18 min.
   LUISA,directed by Julia Roesler, Germany, language: German, 94 min.
   
6. PACK RAT, Regie: Lucy Suess, Neuseeland, Sprache: Engl. mit engl. UT., 17 Min.
   SOME LIKE IT FALSE, directed by Stanislaw Mucha, People's Republic of China/Germany, language: Chinese with English and German subtitles, 89 min. Rated 16 and up.

Rated 16 and up

ROUNDABOUT, directed by Zoe Schmidt, Austria, language: German with English subtitles, 12 min.
CYBERPUNK ROMANCE, directed by Joschka Douma, Germany, language: German with English subtitles, 98 min.