Goethe-Institut Malaysia, in collaboration with Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) International Screens and the Malaysian German Society, has announced the return of KinoFest Malaysia 2026, bringing a diverse selection of contemporary German cinema to audiences in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
KinoFest offers audiences the chance to discover the richness and diversity of German filmmaking, while creating space for cultural exchange and dialogue through the shared experience of cinema. The 2026 edition features a carefully curated programme with films for different audiences, from family-friendly productions to critically acclaimed and award-winning works.
Spanning themes of family, friendship, identity, coming of age, resilience and the complexities of everyday life, the programme offers a multifaceted glimpse into contemporary Germany and the stories that shape its society. Through different genres, perspectives and cinematic voices, KinoFest invites Malaysian audiences to connect with experiences that may be culturally specific, yet resonate across borders.
Following its Kuala Lumpur programme at GSC Mid Valley from 22 to 25 October, KinoFest will continue in Penang from 20 to 22 November at the Malaysian German Society, extending the festival’s celebration of German cinema beyond the capital.
In Kuala Lumpur, the festival opens with The Secret Floor (Das geheime Stockwerk), a film centred on a child’s encounter with a hidden world. Also featured is Yellow Letters, winner of the Golden Bear for Best Film at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). Wayang Budiman will curate post-screening discussions for selected titles.
In Penang, the festival opens with Amrum on 20 November. Told through the eyes of a child, the film explores survival, memory and historical change.
Through its collaboration with GSC International Screens and the Malaysian German Society, KinoFest continues to strengthen the connection between German filmmakers and Malaysian audiences, bringing German-language and German-produced cinema to the big screen and encouraging a wider appreciation of European film.
You can find the list of movies and more details here https://cinema.com.my/filmfestivals/kinofestgff2026