On Sunday, November 2, the 59th Hof International Film Festival 2025 (HIFF) with the HoF OnDemand platform “plus7streamdays” came to an end.
The summary is clearly positive: the festival, with 153 films and five XR experiences, once again served as a central platform for cinematic art, professional dialogue, and encounters – and demonstrated impressively how creative exchange between film professionals from all over the world and the audience can succeed.
Last year’s closing of the Scala cinema in Hof created altered conditions that were seized as an opportunity, true to this year’s motto “The Place to Grow.” Thanks to outstanding support, three new venues were used as pop-up cinemas in Hof town center — Arts Avenue, Haus der Musik, and Neustädter Turnhalle. Technical partner zweiB transformed the spaces into high-quality cinema rooms in no time. The Central Kino, with its six screens, remained the main cinema as usual and, together with the festival center at the Bürgergesellschaft, formed the heart of the film days itinerary.
Through the HoF streaming channel 24/7 with numerous live broadcasts and accompanying social media formats, the festival activities were broadcast to the wider public. They strengthen the visibility of projects and topics from film professionals, also through the availability in the HIFF Library on YouTube. Almost 200 volunteers were on duty to help create the special atmosphere of the film days together with the core team. They all contributed—from organization and guest services to technical operations—to the smooth success of the film days.
Stability despite less seating capacity
With around 15.500 tickets sold in six days, the film days are on the same level as in year before, despite 280 fewer seats per screening slot.
HoF on Demand scores around 7.200 plays, a 3% increase, with a notable improvement among the accredited trade audience. Also pleasing is the number of roughly 820 accredited guests, including professionals and filmmakers and press, who came to the Hof International Film Festival.
Meeting point for the industry
The HoF PLUS framework program, with talks, industry dialogues, and other formats, again made the HIFF an important meeting point for the film industry, where professionals, filmmakers, and media representatives came together to network and discuss projects. The Bürgergesellschaft (BG) transformed into a lively festival hub on all days. There, the XR experiences also took place with strong audience participation.
A highlight was certainly the Masterclass with director Julia von Heinz, moderated by Lukas Röder, director and artistic associate at Munich’s film school HFF. Julia von Heinz was also this year’s homage recipient. In the dynamic format “7-Minutes Pitch” up-and-coming talents could present their works concisely and pointedly to industry professionals. There was also creative exchange during the Blue Hour at the Hof' Institution Galeriehaus.
After the awarding of the German Cinema New Talent Award and the Award of the City of Hof, State Parliament President Ilse Aigner welcomed many guests in the foyer of the Freiheitshalle (Hall of Freedom), Hof. The FFF -Film FernsehenFonds Bayern welcomed the industry to the traditional Friday brunch. The five current scholarship holders of the Nuremberg Screenwriting Scholarship then presented their material to the script to the specialist public and interested festival visitors.
This year the Film Commission of the Film FernsehenFonds Bayern invited people to a special tour: Together with accredited attendees, we traveled to Mödlareuth. The town, repeatedly described as "Little Berlin," stands like hardly any other place for German-German history: divided by wall and barbed wire. Together, the participants discovered the “Hidden Gem,” which is important not only for collective memory culture but also as an inspiring backdrop for future film projects.
Sustainability and awareness
The entire festival team is working to make the Hof International Film Festival more sustainable step by step - culturally, ecologically, and socially. Sustainability accompanies the festival already in many production steps, from catering and mobility to inclusion and accessibility (rickshaw service, e-scooters).
In the festival center, the so-called Klappomat playfully demonstrated how audio description and subtitles make films accessible for people with visual or hearing impairments. HoF on Demand and the HoF Streaming Channel continue to be an accessible option for everyone who cannot come to Hof.
For the first time, the festival also opened the doors of film culture to a younger audience. Selected festival films were given suitable age ratings so that young people could attend the screenings. For the first time, there was an Awareness Team that was reachable for all visitors throughout the festival. The team was there to mediate and assist in possible conflicts or uncomfortable situations.
Soccer
The high-class traditional game between FC Filmwelt (Hof) and FC Hofer Filmtage (filmmakers) ended with 8:6 for FC Filmwelt.
Facts summarized:
The upcoming dates
The Hof International Film Festival is active throughout the year. This includes, on the one hand, the HIFF Rendezvous film series in Hof and Hannover, moderation of festival films at cinema screenings, and the communication of premieres, film releases, and other creative activities of the HoF family. The following dates are already set:
Your Hof International Film Festival Team
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