Filmtage Warm Up: A Variety of Events in Hof

The excitement is building: the 60th Hof International Film Festival opens on October 20. But there is already plenty to experience in Hof in the days leading up to the festival. With the Filmtage Warm Up, the Hof International Film Festival and its partners invite audiences to get into the festival spirit.

October 14: “Democracy Is Not a Streaming Service” – The 11th European Forum

The programme kicks off on October 14 at 5:30 p.m. with the event “Democracy Is Not a Streaming Service” at Hof University of Applied Sciences. As part of the 11th European Forum, experts will explore different aspects of democratic participation through a series of short presentations. Under the guiding question “Democracy Is Not a Streaming Service: How Can We Take Action Ourselves?”, perspectives from politics, academia, contemporary history, the Church, culture and civil society will come together.

Following the presentations, a moderated discussion featuring a panel and audience participation will begin at 6:35 p.m. Thorsten Schaumann, Artistic Director of the Hof International Film Festival, will contribute perspectives from the worlds of art and culture.

Admission is free. Registration is required here.

October 17: Post-Punk and Dark Wave at HofTex Cultural Centre

On October 17, the focus shifts to music. In collaboration with the cultural association Vanishing Walls, the Hof International Film Festival is hosting a concert at the HofTex Cultural Centre in Hof. Starting at 7:30 p.m., Berlin-based band DIE VERLIERER and Leipzig-based COFFIN RIOT will take to the stage.

DIE VERLIERER will bring their post-punk sound to Hof, while COFFIN RIOT will create a dark musical atmosphere with their dark wave sound.

Tickets for the concert are available here.

October 18: Go Behind the Scenes on the Filmtage Tour

Where does the festival actually take place? On October 18, Thorsten Schaumann and his team will offer insights into the key venues of the Hof International Film Festival during the Filmtage Tour. The meeting point is at 11 a.m. at the entrance to the Festsaal at the Freiheitshalle in Hof.

October 19: A Dramatic Reading on Radicalisation and Civil Courage

On the eve of the festival’s opening, the stage at the Bürgergesellschaft – which serves as the festival hub during the event – will host an intense theatrical experience. Starting at 7:30 p.m., actors Florian Stetter and Samuel Spieß will present the dramatic reading Ich, die Finsternis (I, the Darkness), based on the novel by Carsten Degenhardt. At its heart is an intense conflict that raises questions about radicalisation and civil courage.

October 19: WARM UP NIGHT TALK – Kick Off the Festival Together

After the dramatic reading, the atmosphere at the Bürgergesellschaft will turn more informal with the WARM UP NIGHT TALK, starting at 9 p.m. People from across the Hof International Film Festival community will come together in a relaxed setting to chat, reconnect with familiar faces and get into the spirit of the festival days ahead.