40th Black International Cinema Berlin 2025 Anniversary Edition

Under the direction and production of Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith / Fountainhead® Tanz Théâtre, in association with The Collegium - Forum & Television Programme Berlin, ‘Footprints in the Sand?’ ExhibitionBerlin and Cultural Zephyr e.V., the festival will present a diverse programme of films, art and discussions dedicated to the themes of peace, humanity and mutual understanding from 21 to 23 November 2025 at the Marlene Dietrich Cinema in Berlin's Schöneberg Town Hall.

The festival is part of CrossKultur 2025 and is being held in cooperation with ALEX – Offener Kanal Berlin. Since its inception, Black International Cinema Berlin has stood for the consistent charitable commitment of its entire team, which is dedicated to promoting respect, inclusion and creativity.


With this year's motto, Peace! Now! Always! Please! the festival calls for consideration, empathy and peace – values that are more relevant than ever in an increasingly challenging world.


The 40th anniversary invites audiences, filmmakers and art lovers to celebrate, reflect and discover new perspectives together.

Black International Cinema Berlin 2025 – a place of encounter, inspiration and hope.

Black International Cinema Berlin has its origins in West Berlin in the 1980s. In 1986, Fountainhead® Tanz Théâtre produced and directed Europe's first historic three-week Black Cultural Festival. Launched by Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith, the festival was created in response to social challenges and with the aim of creating space for the voices, perspectives and experiences of Black people, who often received little attention in the public eye.

Originally conceived as an interdisciplinary cultural event and forum for film art, exchange and artistic diversity, the festival remains interdisciplinary and intercultural to this day, promoting dialogue between different communities, forms of expression and realities of life. At the same time, it sees itself as a platform for transnational cultural diplomacy, focusing on encounter, listening and mutual appreciation. The continuous work of the team – driven by idealism, commitment and a sense of responsibility – has established Black International Cinema Berlin as an integral part of Berlin's cultural landscape and continues to shape its attitude to this day: art as a bridge, encounter as a foundation.


Programme:
Festival Program – 40. Black International Cinema Berlin 2025 – "Footprints in the Sand?" ExhibitionBerlin 2025