Consensual criteria that shape the final program selection of the section Feature Film are the political, social and cultural relevance of the topics as well as the cinematic treatment of the submitted contributions. Next to more classical forms of presentation, the Dokfest is open for the introduction of innovative formats, which show alleged boundaries of the genre, the might and the power of manipulation of images. Furthermore low or no budget productions, works by up-and-coming artists as well as new projects of well-known filmmakers at the Kassel Dokfest receive special attention during the selection process: because accompanying documentary works-in-progress continually is as important to us as offering a platform for the perspectives of bold and extraordinary projects.
A viewing committee, consisting of four people with different professional backgrounds (since 2009), is responsible for the selection of this section. Next to their interest in the political and cultural happenings of the world and their curiosity towards courageous and unconventional (life) stories, this group of four is unified in a cinematic obsession for documentary film in all its topical and aesthetic forms as well as their pleasure in passionate discussion about the best documentary films for the Kassel film festival.
Obviously, the selection is only able to show a part of the increasing abundance of documentary work every year, trying to none-the-less cover a broad spectrum of topics and forms and reaching an equally broad audience during the festival days.
Selection committee 2026: Paula Berger, Senem Aytaç, Joachim Kurz, Sita Scherer, Dennis Vetter
Cooperation: Sarah Adam, Stefanie Gaus, Anja Klauck, Cosima Lange, Christine Rogi
If ‘care’ is to be understood as an attitude of responsibility and a practice of caring, it encompasses not only traditional care work, but also concern for our world – which is heating up in both senses of the word – for democratic achievements and for the widely held appreciation of diversity. This year’s program brings together 35 films that reflect on and further explore all these aspects.
We take a look at conflict zones such as Ukraine/Russia and Palestine/Israel. We have the opportunity to accompany people as they cope with crises, take on responsibility, explore their own origins and discover the complexity of life within these contexts. In doing so, the program also provides a perspective on Germany’s approach to both conflicts. The films in the program that focus on image analysis raise extremely thought-provoking questions about weapons. Who produced these images, and for what purpose? This also relates to German history – the program highlights the consequences of the slow process of coming to terms with the German colonial era and the European intertwining of economic relations and colonialism. Looking back, including at European dictatorships, serves both as a warning and an expression of collective concern. Solidarity is also a collective endeavor in our patriarchal world, where women not only perform the bulk of care work but are also left vulnerable. In yet other films, people look after close relatives, thereby saving them from invisibility. The program re-explores romantic love in our digital world, whilst queer friendships form a strong and vital bond. Art, music and humor emerge as key pillars of resilience in our diverse portraits, and theatre demonstrates how inclusion is lived out as a matter of course. Several films explore how and what we do for a living, the balance this brings, and what work might mean in the context of climate change. The prospect of a dystopian future is countered by the active efforts of a few individuals.
What the films show is that, to build resilience, we need relationships; we must pay attention and take responsibility. That is why we are all the more looking forward to the shared experience of watching and discussing the films together in Kassel’s lovely cinemas.