HSBC German Film Festival 2026: A Celebration of New Cinema and Swiss Icon Armin Mueller-Stahl

The 2026 HSBC German Film Festival is set to captivate audiences from May 6th to May 27th, bringing a diverse lineup of films to Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova, and Luna Palace Cinemas across Australia. This year’s festival not only showcases compelling new German cinema but also pays tribute to the celebrated Swiss actor and director, Armin Mueller-Stahl.

Festival Dates and Locations

• Canberra: May 6–27, Palace Electric
• Brisbane: May 6–27, Palace James St, Palace Barracks
• Adelaide: May 6–27, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
• Perth: May 7–27, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX & Palace Raine Square
• Sydney: May 7–27, Palace Norton Street, Palace Central, Palace Moore Park
• Byron Bay and Ballina: May 7–27, Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
• Melbourne: May 8–27, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Church St, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, The Astor Theatre, Pentridge Cinema, Palace Penny Lane
• Ballarat: May 8–27, Palace Regent Ballarat

Tickets will be available for purchase in early April.

Highlights of the 2026 Program

The festival’s initial program highlights demonstrate a commitment to both established filmmakers and emerging talents, promising a rich cinematic experience.

Centrepiece Film: Amrum

Fatih Akin’s Amrum will serve as the festival’s centrepiece. Set in 1945, the film follows 12-year-old Nanning as he navigates life on the island of Amrum during the final days of World War II. Starring Laura Tonke, Diane Kruger, and Matthias Schweighöfer, alongside newcomer Jasper Billerbeck, the film is based on the real-life story of co-writer Hark Bohm.

Special Presentation: Sound of Falling (In die Sonne schauen)

Mascha Schilinski’s Sound of Falling (In die Sonne schauen), a Cannes Film Festival Jury Award winner, will be presented as a special highlight. This poetic and sensory epic, Germany’s entry for the 2026 Academy Awards, follows four generations of women on a farm in northern Germany.

From Switzerland: Hello Betty (Hallo Betty)

Representing Switzerland, Hello Betty (Hallo Betty) is a warm and funny period piece set in 1956. The film tells the story of Emmi Creola, a copywriter who creates a fictional housewife, Betty Bossi, to advance her career in a male-dominated workplace, only to see her creation become a Swiss culinary icon. It explores themes of female ambition, identity, and the contrast between public image and private life.

Kino for Kids

Families are catered for with the Kino for Kids sidebar, presented by the Goethe-Institut Australia. Highlights include:

• The Secret Floor (Das geheime Stockwerk): An Austrian time-travel adventure.
• School of Magical Animals: The fourth installment in the popular franchise.
• Barry & Me (Mein Freund Barry): A live-action adventure inspired by the St. Bernard rescue dog.
• Pumuckl’s Huge Mix-Up (Pumuckl und das große Missverständnis): A charming live-action and animation combination featuring the legendary Munich goblin.
• Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave (Ab morgen bin ich mutig): A tender coming-of-age story.

Celebrating Armin Mueller-Stahl

The 2026 festival will honor Armin Mueller-Stahl with a retrospective of his career, recognizing his versatile performances in both German and international productions.

Full program details and tickets will go on sale in early April. For more information, visit the festival website.