True stories, comedy, drama in German film fest

This year’s national HSBC German Film Festival is coming to the Palace Regent Ballarat from 8 May.

Featuring true stories, comedy and new drama from German filmmakers and actors, the festival runs through to 27 May.

Opening the program is Berlin Hero, the final film of director Wolfgang Becker, who died shortly after filming it.

It is described as a bittersweet tragicomedy that explores collective memory.

Three films in the festival arrive direct from the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival, or Berlinale, including the winner of this year’s Berlinale Audience Award, Prosecution.

Prosecution follows a young German-Korean state prosecutor who experiences a racist attack and takes the case to court.

Also from the Berlinale comes Home Stories, set in provincial eastern Germany. The inter-generational story follows 16-year-old Lea, who auditions for a TV talent show, experiences an identity crisis and must decide who she is and what home story she can create from her family’s history.

Lastly, based on a bestselling novel and true story, Austrian film Four Minus Three comes direct to the Palace Regent from the Berlinale. The drama is about a professional entertainer forced to face an unspeakable loss.

The overall, much broader program has a focus on German, Austrian and Swiss films direct from Europe, with tickets on sale and more information available at germanfilmfestival.com.au