Opening day celebrations and red-carpet premieres for the 30th anniversary of America’s leading festival of contemporary German cinema, happening March 19-23, 2026, in San Francisco and Berkeley.

Thursday, March 19: The Castro Theatre, San Francisco

10:30 AM: 22 Lengths (by invitation only) 102 min. + Q&A
3:00 PM: Bad Painter 80 min.
6:00 PM: Köln 75 112 min. + Opening Ceremony & Q&A

San Francisco Premiere
Directed by Ido Fluk
Starring Mala Emde, John Magaro, Michael Chernus, Alexander Scheer, Ulrich Tukur, Jördis Triebel

Based on a true story, Köln 75 reveals the hidden history behind Keith Jarrett’s legendary, 1975 improvised concert, which became the best-selling solo jazz album in history. The film follows teenage promoter Vera Brandes (Mala Emde) as she tirelessly organizes the event and convinces a reluctant Jarrett (John Magaro) to perform despite pulling out after the Bösendorfer Imperial Grand piano he was promised was nowhere to be found. (112 min. Germany / 2025. German with English subtitles)