Wer sich für den Reichtum der künstlerischen und intellektuellen Möglichkeiten des Kinos interessiert, findet nirgendwo bessere Möglichkeiten als bei einem Filmfestival. Das LICHTER Filmfest in Frankfurt/Main ist dabei ein besonderer Fall, denn es verbindet einen umfassenden Blick auf das Weltkino mit Debatten über das deutsche Kino, und das alles in einer familiären Atmosphäre. Ein Festival ist für Filmkritiker*innen tatsächlich ein Fest, aber auch eine besondere Herausforderung: Hier werden in dichter Folge Filme gezeigt, man kann direkt Vergleiche ziehen und sich über die Situation des Kinos und seiner Zukunft Gedanken machen. Oft ist nur wenig Zeit, um das Gesehene zwischen zwei Vorführungen zu reflektieren und zu hinterfragen – oder gar einen Text zu schreiben.

Der Workshop Filmkritik ermöglicht erste Schritte auf diesem Weg. Gemeinsam mit dem Filmkritiker Bert Rebhandl (Berlin) und der Filmkritikerin Carolin Weidner (Köln) eignen sich die Teilnehmer*innen des Workshops das grundlegende Handwerk der Filmkritik an und erproben es mit eigenen Texten, die täglich auf dem Kritiker*innenblog auf den Online-Kanälen von LICHTER veröffentlicht werden. Neben dem konkreten Schreiben werden auch andere Formen behandelt: Video-Kritik, Podcast, Influencing. Die Rolle der digitalen Netzwerke neben den traditionellen Medien soll reflektiert werden.

Der Workshop nimmt den Filmbesuch beim 19. LICHTER Filmfest als Grundlage für gemeinsame Reflexionen: Was kann Filmkritik heute sein? Was ist ein guter Text? Wie schreibt man professionell und originell – und das unter Zeitdruck? Dabei wird es ganz praktisch und in vertiefender Form auch um das Handwerk und die intellektuellen Fundamente von Filmkritik gehen. Und auch um die Frage, ob andere Formen der Veröffentlichung (Blogs, Tubes, Podcasts, Instagram, TikTok, Letterboxd) eine adäquate Ergänzung zu den traditionellen Medien darstellen können, oder ob sie sogar schon wichtiger sind als Zeitungen und Magazine.

Der Workshop Filmkritik wird vom 28. April bis 02. Mai 2026 als Präsenzveranstaltung stattfinden. Selbstverständlich erhalten die Teilnehmenden des Workshops Festivalpässe und somit freien Eintritt zu fast allen LICHTER-Veranstaltungen.

Einen Eindruck von den Kritiken aus den letzten Jahren gibt es auf dem Kritikerblog und auf Letterboxd.

Profis Plaudern Praxis (PPP) has been organized since 2010 in cooperation with the Hessian Film and Media Academy (hFMA). It is part of the DokfestEducation section of Kasseler Dokfest, which serves as a platform for the continued education of film and media professionals. Within the framework of a changing annual theme, PPP invites professionals from the fields of production, directing, consulting, and distribution to support emerging talents in finding the right approach to their artistic projects.

This year’s theme, "Focusing on Diversity: Paths to a More Inclusive Film Culture", aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of diversity in film and media production, in film content, and in its presentation. 
Diversity encompasses various aspects such as ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and cultural backgrounds. A diverse film industry and culture can help tell stories that better reflect the reality of our society. Promoting diversity leads to increased visibility and opportunities for underrepresented groups – both in front of and behind the camera. This often results in more innovative and authentic narratives that enrich audiences. Presenting such works to the public can help break down stereotypes, expand audiences, and create a more inclusive film experience.
 However, there are still many challenges to overcome to build a truly inclusive and diverse film culture, as individuals advocating for diversity frequently encounter numerous personal and structural obstacles.

Four short lectures by this year’s experts offer different perspectives on diversity in film production and culture. A moderated panel discussion contextualizes the topics presented and enables questions from the audience. In one-on-one consultations – held either on-site at Media Education Center North in the KulturBahnhof Kassel or online via Zoom – participants can receive personalized feedback and guidance on their own projects after registering in advance.

PPP’s program is primarily aimed at students from the network of the hFMA and participants of the 16th Hessian University Film Day, but is open to all interested parties.

FREITAG // FRIDAY 21.11. | 11:00 – 17:30 

Medienbildungszentrum Nord at KulturBahnhof Kassel


• 11:00 – 12:30 Presentations of the speakers
• 11:00 Tabea Hosche (German)

• 11:20 Julia Fiechter (German)

• 11:40 Tajo Hurrle (German)

• 12:00 Bartholomew Sammut (English)


• 12:30 – 13:15 Moderated panel discussion 
(German)


• 13:15 – 14:15 Lunch break


• 14:15 – 16:15 One-on-one Consultations
 (German / English)

• Via Zoom

 16:30 – 17:30  One-on-one Consultations
 (German / English)


Speakers and experts for one-on-one conversations

Tabea Hosche

Tabea Hosche is a filmmaker, commissioned producer for public broadcasting, and a journalist focusing on disability and inclusion. She is herself the mother of a daughter with physical and cognitive impairments. She has created three autobiographical documentary films about life with her daughter and the two siblings. Her work has received numerous awards. She studied Modern German Literature and Political Science, completed a journalistic traineeship, and is a graduate of the Master school for Documentary Film.

Between Admiration and Pity – On the Portrayal of People with Disabilities 

Tabea Hosche provides practical advice on how to make documentary films about people with disabilities without resorting to clichés and outdated stereotypes. In her presentation, she will discuss the portrayal of people with disabilities in film and television and, using her autobiographical films about her daughter as examples, she will highlight her own experience of what is important to consider when filming people with various impairments. 

Julia Fiechter

Julia Fiechter, author and creative producer, focuses her work on diversity and BiPoC realities. Born in Zurich, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at ZHAW in 2015. After seven years as a TV director in Zurich and Cologne, she began her Master’s in Film at ZHdK in 2023, specializing in Creative Producing. In 2020/2021, she was also responsible for public relations at the Black Film Festival Zurich.

Diversity in Film – an Unconscious or Artistic Decision?

Julia Fiechter speaks about the conscious responsibility and deliberate choice to bring diversity into storytelling—as well as into casting and crew decisions—in an authentic way, avoiding stereotypes and the reproduction of discrimination. Drawing on examples from her own practice, she illustrates how this approach and perspective can be translated into concrete artistic decisions.

Tajo Hurrle 

Tajo Hurrle (b. 1998) is a non-binary screenwriter and director whose work focuses on queer narratives and young audiences. They direct award-winning short films like “I am Leo” and write for public broadcasters, including the popular children’s series “Schloss Einstein”.

Queer Storytelling – Case Study “Fuck the Cistem“

Tajo Hurrle shares how they approached their short film “Fuck the Cistem”, which explores the discrimination faced by non-binary people. They discuss the decision to tell this story explicitly for a queer audience and the responsibility involved in depicting discrimination within this context. Using examples from writing and filming, they show how this awareness shaped artistic choices.

Bartholomew Sammut

Bartholomew is a Maltese-Australian, non-binary film curator. They began writing & producing short films then worked for SBS TV on the short film program “Eatcarpet”. In 2006 they founded the XPOSED Queer Film Festival Berlin and in 2009 started working for Berlinale Panorama. In 2015 they established the Queer Short Film Fund, an initiative from XPOSED.

Queering Your Program = Sharing the Joy

Emerging from an annual convergence of Queer Programmers, the Teddy Awards catalysed global visibility for queer cinema, fostering inclusive spaces and a transnational film festival network. This legacy endures through the Queer Your Program event, where filmmakers pitch to this vibrant community. In their talk, Bartholomew Sammut shows how film festivals have become pivotal platforms in shaping and advancing the landscape of Queer Film. 
Language of presentation: Englisch // English

Wer sich für den Reichtum der künstlerischen und intellektuellen Möglichkeiten des Kinos interessiert, findet nirgendwo bessere Möglichkeiten als bei einem Filmfestival. Das LICHTER Filmfest in Frankfurt/Main ist dabei ein besonderer Fall, denn es verbindet einen umfassenden Blick auf das Weltkino mit Debatten über das deutsche Kino, und das alles in einer familiären Atmosphäre. Ein Festival ist für Filmkritiker*innen tatsächlich ein Fest, aber auch eine besondere Herausforderung: Hier werden in dichter Folge Filme gezeigt, man kann direkt Vergleiche ziehen und sich über die Situation des Kinos und seiner Zukunft Gedanken machen. Oft ist nur wenig Zeit, um das Gesehene zwischen zwei Vorführungen zu reflektieren und zu hinterfragen – oder gar einen Text zu schreiben.

Der Workshop Filmkritik ermöglicht erste Schritte auf diesem Weg. Gemeinsam mit dem Filmkritiker Bert Rebhandl (Berlin) und der Filmkritikerin Carolin Weidner (Köln) eignen sich die Teilnehmer*innen des Workshops das grundlegende Handwerk der Filmkritik an und erproben es mit eigenen Texten, die täglich auf dem Kritiker*innenblog auf den Online-Kanälen von LICHTER veröffentlicht werden. Neben dem konkreten Schreiben werden auch andere Formen behandelt: Video-Kritik, Podcast, Influencing. Die Rolle der digitalen Netzwerke neben den traditionellen Medien soll reflektiert werden.

Der Workshop nimmt den Filmbesuch beim 18. LICHTER Filmfest als Grundlage für gemeinsame Reflexionen: Was kann Filmkritik heute sein? Was ist ein guter Text? Wie schreibt man professionell und originell – und das unter Zeitdruck? Dabei wird es ganz praktisch und in vertiefender Form auch um das Handwerk und die intellektuellen Fundamente von Filmkritik gehen. Und auch um die Frage, ob andere Formen der Veröffentlichung (Blogs, Tubes, Podcasts, Instagram, TikTok, Letterboxd) eine adäquate Ergänzung zu den traditionellen Medien darstellen können, oder ob sie sogar schon wichtiger sind als Zeitungen und Magazine.

Der Workshop Filmkritik wird vom 21. bis 26. April 2025 als Präsenzveranstaltung stattfinden.

Einen Eindruck der Kritiken aus den letzten Jahren gibt's hier:

• https://lichter-filmfest.de/kritiker-blog
• https://letterboxd.com/lichterfilmfest/films/reviews/

Alle Informationen zu den Teilnahmebedingungen und Bewerbungsunterlagen findet ihr oben im Tab „Teilnahme Infos"

Finding Truth and the Creative Process: Investigative Strategies in Film and Media Production

Interviews with the speakers are available on the Kasseler Dokfest site:

Interviews Profis Plaudern Praxis XVI

An excerpt of reality can be found in every fictional or non-fictional work, and investigative research leads to a credible and differentiated result in film and media production. An intensive examination of the subject, which includes both thematic and formal exploration, is a fundamental part of any artistic development. The processing of a material in a documentary is different from that in a fiction film, an installation, or a podcast. The approaches differ depending on the medium and subject and their respective combinations. What they all have in common is a well-founded preoccupation with the relationship between expressive possibilities and content. What is to be depicted or shown is always in proportion to the way it is shown. Strategies are used with the aim to form artistic truth.

With this year's topic of Profis Plaudern Praxis XVI, we would like to tackle the question of the relationship between the creative process and finding truth and shed light on investigative strategies in film and media production. Established professionals from the fields of production, research, consulting and directing assist young talents in finding the right approach to their artistic project and in assessing what is necessary to produce credible work.

Four short lectures open different perspectives on the balancing act between finding the truth and the creative process in film and media production. Afterwards, individual queries can be addressed in a moderated panel discussion and one-on-one conversations, taking place at the media project center Offener Kanal in Kassel or via Zoom.

The lectures and one-on-one conversations are primarily addressed to students from the network of the Hessian Film and Media Academy (hFMA) and the participants of the 15th Hessian University Film Day. Other interested persons are welcome to join, as well. Language: German. Language one-on one-conversations: German / English.

Since 2010, the series Profis Plaudern Plaudern Praxis has been held in cooperation with the hFMA. The section considers itself as a platform for further education of film and media professionals. In lectures and workshops, experts share profound practical knowledge and discuss new developments in the industry.

Profis Plaudern Praxis XVI takes place as a hybrid event. Interviews will be broadcasted as a DokfestChannel for free at www.kasselerdokfest.de from November 1.

The panel discussion takes place on site at the media project center Offener Kanal, Kulturbahnhof Kassel. The subsequent one-on-one counselling sessions are taking place in two events as Block I on site and Block II online by appointment via Zoom. Projects must be provided beforehand. A short notice participation on site is possible if places are available.

Free registration for one-on-one conversations until November 14 via Anna Bell: bell@kasselerdokfest.de. 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

FRIDAY 15.11. | 11:00 – 17:30
11:00 – 12:30 Presentations of the speakers at the Medienprojektzentrum Offener Kanal in Kassel
11:00 Nicolas Gebbe
11:20 Antje Behr
11:40 Iryna Riabenka
12:00 Khesrau Behroz
12:30 – 13:15 Moderated panel discussion
13:15 – 14:15 Lunch break
14:15 – 16:15 One-on-one conversations on site
16:30 – 17:30 One-on-one conversations via Zoom

Speakers and experts for one-on-one conversations

Nicolas Gebbe

Nicolas Gebbe is a 3D artist, filmmaker, and sound-designer born 1986 in London, currently working in Frankfurt am Main / Germany. 2018 he received his art diploma at Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach with a film major. He focuses on experimental 3D animation and hybrid film formats.

Experiment, play, search, find
A lecture about playfully developing your own visual ideas and implementing them. How do I find my personal, honest expression? Where do experimentation, intuition and concept meet? What role do structure and system play in playful search? An insight into how intuitive experimentation can be the fruitful basis for transporting emotional content and how letting go can give rise to new creative power.

Antje Behr

Antje Behr studied audiovisual media in Berlin and Jerusalem. She is currently a master's student at the Film University Potsdam Babelsberg and lectures at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences. She makes documentaries and reports. Researches, writes, directs, and has a heart for science, psychology, and good food.

The „perfect“ protagonist
The television format of the public broadcasters is characterized by content, visual and structural specifications of the respective broadcasting slot. Authors are encouraged to comply with the sometimes very explicit editorial requests. The research for the "perfect" protagonist usually takes much more time than the actual filming. Where and how do you find these people?

Iryna Riabenka

Iryna Riabenka has worked as a television journalist, investigative reporter and filmmaker for various broadcasters, including SWR, BR and DW. She graduated from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hanover with a Master's degree in television journalism and documentary film. Her directorial debut "The Bright Path" was nominated and awarded at festivals worldwide.

"The Bright Path": Uncovering Truth Through Poetic Documentary
"The Bright Path" is an essay film that shows the fate of Ukrainian journalist Stanislav Aseyev and investigates Russian torture in Donbas. But how to reveal the truth without showing the pictures from the torture prison? The poetic form of documentary storytelling could be the answer. Through powerful, essayistic images and words, the film draws the viewer into a reality that does not need explicit footage to make the cruelty and depth of events tangible.

Khesrau Behroz

Khesrau Behroz is host, author and producer of podcasts that have been listened to millions of times, such as "Cui Bono: WTF happened to Ken Jebsen?", "Legion: Hacking Anonymous" and "SchwarzRotGold: Mesut Özil zu Gast bei Freunden". For his work, he has been awarded the Grimme Online Award, the German Reporter Award, the German Podcast Award and the Award for Pop Culture. He is co-founder and managing director of the Berlin production company Undone.

What it takes to recognize a good story
Khesrau Behroz talks about his work as a producer, author, and host: From the idea to the release, each production of documentary podcasts such as "Cui Bono", "Legion" or "SchwarzRotGold: Mesut Özil zu Gast bei Freunden" takes about a year – in between there are hundreds of decisions about research, dramaturgy, sound design and distribution. Behroz talks about these decisions – and what it takes to recognize a good story.