Goethe-Institut Los Angeles

01/15/2025

01/08/2025

Watch the fan-favorite opening film of our German Currents Film Festival 2023 again!
FRANKY FIVE STAR
screening at the DIGITAL GYM SAN DIEGO

Birgit Möller's film FRANKY FIVE STAR is presented as part of GERMAN CURRENTS KINO San Diego, a partnership between the Goethe-Institut, emago media, and the Digital Gym Cinema.

SHOWTIMES:
Friday, January 10th @ 7:00 PM
Sunday, January 12th @ 3:00 PM
Digital Gym - Media Arts Center San Diego
German/English/Finnish with English Subtitles
Admission: $5

FRANKY FIVE STAR
Germany/Finland (2023) 114 min. DCP Projection. German/English/Finnish with English Subtitles
Director: Birgit Möller, Screenplay: Knut Mierswe, Birgit Möller, Cinematography: JJ-P Passi, Cast: Lena Urzendowsky, Oona Airola, Paul Pötsch, Cino Djavid, Sven Hoenig, Gerti Drassl, Sophie Killer, Cito Andresen, Producer: Jamila Wenske, Production Company: Achtung Panda!

More info: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/los/ver.cfm?event_id=26311777

Digital Gym - Media Arts Center San Diego German Currents Film Festival German Currents San Diego German Film Office German Films German Consulate General Los Angeles GABA Film Initiative

01/07/2025

OPEN CALL FOR CULTURAL WORKERS & CREATIVES!

The Goethe-Institut Los Angeles is currently seeking Los Angeles-based cultural workers, creatives, artists, artisans, curators, performers, choreographers, musicians, filmmakers, and others to develop, manage, and realize cultural programs that focus on and uplift the Westlake/MacArthur Park neighborhood and surrounding communities.

The selected cultural workers and creatives will receive institutional and financial support from the Goethe-Institut and members of the selection committee, including access to the space, guidance in preparation for the exhibition/installation/performance or other programs, and additional promotional support through the Goethe-Institut's network.

Guidelines:
• Proposals should focus on cultural projects and themes that are innovative, challenging, engaging, and relevant to the Westlake/MacArthur Park community.
• Extra consideration will be given to artists and curators who live or work in Westlake/MacArthur Park or surrounding areas.
• Extra consideration will be given to proposals that demonstrate a greater understanding of and focus on the unique history, dynamics, heritage, and distinctiveness of the Westlake/MacArthur Park neighborhood and surrounding areas.
• Extra consideration will be given to proposals that include work from artists who qualify as under-recognized (no gallery representation and no solo exhibitions in a major venue within the past five years).
• Strong proposals are flexible and have room for growth. As such, a proposed exhibition that has already been shown elsewhere is less favorable than one in which the artist or curator seeks to build upon previous work.
• The Goethe-Institut strongly encourages project proposals contributing to our ongoing diversity commitment.

For detailed info, guidelines and submission process in English, German and Spanish please see our website:
https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/los/ocm.html

The deadline for applications is January 27th, 2025

Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles German Consulate General Los Angeles Thomas Mann House Villa Aurora - Los Angeles MAK Center for Art and Architecture Creating Creators Meztli Projects dublab Hyperallergic Esotouric's Secret Los Angeles

Goethe-Institut Los Angeles: German courses, German exams, cultural exchange and information at Germany’s globally active cultural institute.

12/30/2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
From your friends at the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles.
Enjoy a brief recap of what kept us busy in 2024 ...
Here's to 2025, let's make it matter!

Goethe-Institut Washington Goethe-Institut San Francisco Goethe-Institut Chicago Goethe-Institut New York Goethe-Institut Boston Goethe-Institut Montreal Goethe-Institut Toronto Goethe-Institut Mexiko Villa Aurora - Los Angeles Thomas Mann House German Film Office German Currents Film Festival Goethe-Institut American Cinematheque German Consulate General Los Angeles German Films

Gardena Cinema Goethe International Charter Egyptian Theatre Homies Unidos
Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Creating Creators Paulaner Sunset Condor Airlines
The Academy ELMA - European Languages & Movies in America GABA Film Initiative Annett Scheffel dublab Das Wetter - Magazin für Text und Musik
Khue Pham Radikale Töchter Koreatown Youth and Community Center
Melina Cruz Jaja Vidal Radiotron Stage of the Arts, Inc Allegra Padilla
MHz Choice Digital Gym Cinema SEEfest Michelle Müntefering Monika Grütters Thomas Hacker MAK Center Heart of Los Angeles Meztli Projects Inner-City Arts
Sascha Blank

12/23/2024

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

THANK YOU! DANKE!
We express our heartfelt gratitude to our friends, partners, and patrons for making 2024 another extraordinary year for the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles. As the year draws to a close, we extend warm wishes for a joyous holiday season and a fantastic start to the New Year!

We hope to welcome you to many of our programs and events in 2025!

Your Goethe-Institut Los Angeles team,
- Luisa Rath-John, Daniel Chaffey, Simone Maier, Stefan Kloo

12/20/2024

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Pro-tip! Beuys at the Broad!
Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature

This exhibition celebrates German artist Joseph Beuys and his transformative vision for an equitable and sustainable world. His advocacy for direct democracy and environmental activism—including his role as a co-founder of the German Green Party—are highlighted through his 'multiples,' editioned objects created to circulate his ideas on social change. Beuys’s art reminds us of our power to shape a more just future.

Experience Beuys’s legacy through March 23
Secure your free tickets via The Broad (link in our bio)

The Broad

12/09/2024

Dec. 15/16/18, 2024 Academy Museum of Motion Pictures + German Film Office bring 3 newly restored films from the Deutsche Kinemathek archive to LA as part of
“Present Past: A Celebration of Film Preservation”
- The Academy Museum’s second celebration of newly preserved and restored films presents work from the Academy Film Archive as well as other archives, studios, distributors, foundations, and independent filmmakers from around the globe.

The program includes three German films from the Deutsche Kinemathek archives. "Jesus – Der Film" (1985), directed by and starring Michael Brynntrup, is a cinematic burlesque that comprises 35 stories from the New Testament in retellings or entirely new interpretations by 22 filmmakers from East and West Germany. "Ain’t Nothing Without You" (1985) is a screwball comedy in which filmmaker Martha and perpetual student Alfred are drawn together, giving director Pia Frankenberg a platform for exposing the emotional and ideological ensnarements of big-city yuppies. In "The Germans and their Men" (1989), Helke Sander puts government officials and media representatives, as well as everyday men on the street, in a real pickle as she confronts them with the realities of historical and future male violence.

With filmmakers Michael Brynntrup and Pia Frankenberg, and Deutsche Kinemathek curator Annika Haupts in attendance.


TICKET DISCOUNT! The Academy Museum generously offers our followers a discount on ticket purchases for the three German film screenings on December 15, 16, and 18. To redeem, enter the code GERMANFILM at checkout.

Info + Tickets: https://www.academymuseum.org/en/programs/series/present-past-a-celebration-of-film-preservation2024

German Film Office German Currents Film Festival Goethe-Institut Los Angeles American Cinematheque German Consulate General Los Angeles German Films German Film Office

12/04/2024

Sun, 12/08/2024, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
FAMILY MATINEE + Holiday Craft Workshop + Toy Drive

Join us on Sunday, December 8th from 11am - 2pm for a day of film, creativity, and holiday fun. As part of a special family matinee screening of Katja Benrath's festival favorite, ROCCA CHANGES THE WORLD, our young guests are also invited to participate in a holiday craft workshop for kids. Presented with the support of the German Film Office.

Admission to the screening and craft workshop is free with RSVP:
https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/los/ver.cfm?event_id=26210068

In the true holiday spirit, our partners from Homies Unidos will also accept donations of new, unwrapped toys suitable for children between 1 and 15 years old as part of their annual Season of Giving Christmas toy drive.

Parents, please note: This workshop is designed to be a safe and enjoyable environment for kids of all skill levels. All materials will be provided free of charge. Skilled instructors will be present to guide and assist. Craft alongside friends and make new ones.

German Consulate General Los Angeles Goethe International Charter School Germans in LA Goethe-Institut Goethe-Institut Washington German Film Office German Films

12/03/2024

DOUBLE EXPOSURE
How to survive the 21st Century - An explorative discussion

Thursday, 12/05/2024,7:00 PM
Goethe-Institut LA Project Space

Liberal democracy is built on abstract concepts like freedom, equality, solidarity – and does not deliver. What other words, more concrete and connected to lived experience, could create a different democratic experience? A different democratic system built on ideas like love, friendship, violence, beauty, kindness, anger, hope? In these times of division: How can we use language for a renewed sense of togetherness?

Moderated by Annett Scheffel, this explorative discussion brings together a diverse group of stakeholders who continuously question supposed certainties and lead in transformative processes.

Together with you, the audience, we intend to explore a new vocabulary for democracy in the 21st century and find common understandings for the basics of our shared existence on planet Earth.

Join us for an open discussion, share your thoughts, and see where it takes us!

More Info and RSVP: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/los/ver.cfm?event_id=26232145

Pauletta Pierce Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Thomas Mann House Villa Aurora - Los Angeles German Consulate General Los Angeles The Crenshaw Dairy Mart Annett Scheffel Georg Diez Goethe-Institut Chicago Goethe-Institut Washington Goethe-Institut San Francisco

12/02/2024

Advent Calendar 2024
The Goethe-Institut's digital Advent calendar is back! Join us on a journey through December. A new door with exciting content opens every day.

An especially exciting feature: every four days there’s an article on the topic of 'Christmas through the eyes of..'. Discover the Christmas season from the perspective of typical objects that characterize Christmas in Germany. On top of that, a competition with fantastic prizes awaits you!

11/27/2024

Film Screening:
Sun, 12/08/2024, 4:45 PM, GARDENA CINEMA
THE MURDERERS ARE AMONG US

Join us and our partners from the Gardena Cinema to celebrate the theater's 78th Anniversary with a triple feature screening of Film Noir classics - Robert Siodmak's THE KILLERS, Wolfgang Staudte's THE MURDERERS ARE AMONG US, and Charles Vidor's GILDA, all from 1946, the year of the theater's Grand Opening. As a special treat, Friends of Gardena Cinema will also serve FREE birthday cake to all in attendance, while the slices last!

FREE ADMISSION to ALL 3 films for Friends of Gardena Cinema members.
Annual Memberships ($25) available at the Gardena Cinema Box Office.

Free parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the Gardena Cinema on the north side.

Info & Tickets: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/los/ver.cfm?event_id=26227291

THE MURDERERS ARE AMONG US (DIE MÖRDER SIND UNTER UNS)
Germany (1946), 81 min. B&W, In German with English Subtitles
Writer-Director: Wolfgang Staudte
Filmed among the ruins of a recently defeated Berlin, Wolfgang Staudte’s The Murderers Are among Us was the first film made in Germany after WWII. Produced by the newly-founded DEFA Studio (with support from the Soviet allies), Staudte’s film successfully blends elements of German expressionism and Italian neorealism, creating an anti-fascist Film Noir set in the rubble.

Gardena Cinema is the last family-operated single-screen stand-alone vintage neighborhood movie theater in southwest Los Angeles. Built in 1946 and operated by the Kim family since 1976, Gardena Cinema has been part of making memories for the South Bay Los Angeles community for decades. With a capacity of over 800 total seats, many families have shared some quality time together under our roof. Your donation will help Friends of Gardena Cinema ensure that Gardena Cinema remains a community-based venue that continues to support exhibition of films and movies, whether new and current or older revival titles, long and short format, and especially those created by filmmakers living in the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Help Friends of Gardena Cinema achieve its goal of making Gardena Cinema the leading South Bay place to make memories and socialize with like-minded people who love movies, music, and the arts.

This screening is co-presented by the Goethe-Institut and the DEFA Film Library at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

DEFA Film Library German Currents Film Festival Goethe-Institut Los Angeles German Consulate General Los Angeles German Film Office German Film
Gardena Cinema

11/25/2024

SAVE THE DATE!

Thu, 12/05/2024, 7:00 PM, Goethe-Institut LA Project Space
DOUBLE EXPOSURE:
HOW TO SURVIVE THE 21st CENTURY
An explorative discussion

How can we as individuals, institutions, or communities develop strategies to cope with current challenges in what seems to be an ever-more-divided society?
What strengthens us, gives us hope and optimism? What is the current state of solidarity? And do we still have the same vocabulary/language to develop shared solutions?

Moderated by Annett Scheffel, this explorative discussion brings together a diverse group of stakeholders who continuously question supposed certainties and lead in transformative processes. Together with you, the audience, we intend to explore new approaches to ongoing challenges and find a common understanding of the basics of our shared existence on planet Earth.

Join us for
an open discussion, share your thoughts, and see where it takes us!

More info + RSVP to follow soon. Stay tuned!
https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/los/ver.cfm?event_id=26232145

Goethe-Institut Thomas Mann House American Council on Germany Villa Aurora - Los Angeles Goethe-Institut Washington German Consulate General Los Angeles
Goethe-Institut Chicago

11/15/2024

FILM + DISCUSSION
Wed, 11/20/2024,7:00 PM
Goethe-Institut Los Angeles

Join us on Wednesday, November 20th, @ 7:00 PM at the Goethe-Institut for a special screening of the Film HARALD NAEGELI - The Zurich Sprayer, followed by a discussion with Filmmaker and Villa Aurora Fellow Nathalie David and West Coast Graffiti Art pioneer Hector "HEX" Rios.

This screening is part of the long-standing cooperation with the Villa Aurora, where Villa Aurora Fellows showcase their projects (past, present, and future) at the Goethe-Institut.

Admission is free with RSVP. Capacity is limited.
RSVP holders will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Light refreshments provided.

Info RSVP: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/los/ver.cfm?event_id=26182495

Harald Naegeli
Villa Aurora - Los Angeles Hex Tgo
Thomas Mann House German Consulate General Los Angeles German Films German Film Office Goethe-Institut Washington Goethe-Institut New York

11/10/2024

Tue, 11/19/2024 Film + Discussion
SKID ROW MARATHON

Presented by the German American Business Association (GABA), this special screening in HDR by Barco of the award-winning documentary “Skid Row Marathon,” is followed by an intimate discussion with Director Mark Hayes, Producer Gabi Hayes, Superior Court Judge Craig Mitchell, and the Composer of the film's score, Kim Planert.

In cooperation with the Goethe-Institut, $15.00 tickets are available to non-GABA members by using the Promo code GOETHE2024.

Skid Row Marathon tells the inspiring story of a criminal court judge who starts a running club on LA’s notorious skid row, training a diverse group of addicts and criminals to run marathons. This life-changing initiative follows four runners as they rise from the mean streets of LA to compete in marathons worldwide, continually battling homelessness and addiction. Their journey is one of hope, friendship, and dignity.

Networking Reception: Connect with fellow attendees before the screening and enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments.

Documentary Screening: Experience the powerful story of Skid Row Marathon.

Q&A Session: Engage with the filmmakers, Mark Hayes and Gabi Hayes, Superior Court Judge Craig Mitchell, and the Film Music Composer Kim Planert in an intimate discussion.

Location:
Glen Glenn Studios, 900 Seward St
Los Angeles, CA 90038

For more info and tickets please visit:
https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/los/ver.cfm?event_id=26166010

Gaba Socal German Consulate General Los Angeles Skid Row Marathon
Kim Planert Goethe-Institut Barco German Films German Film Office

Tue, 11/19/2024

11/07/2024

GERMAN CURRENTS KINO San Diego:
BEYOND THE BLUE BORDER ( Jenseits der blauen Grenze)
screening at the Digital Gym Cinema

Sarah Neumann's film BEYOND THE BLUE BORDER is presented as part of GERMAN CURRENTS KINO San Diego, a partnership between the Goethe-Institut, emago media, and the Digital Gym Cinema.

SHOWTIMES:
Friday, November 8th @ 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 10th @ 3:00 PM

More info, trailer and ticket link:
https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/los/ver.cfm?event_id=26166277

Wood Water Films German Films German Film Office German Consulate General Los Angeles Goethe-Institut

11/04/2024

Frisch vom Plattenteller - our November Popcast is now in our GEGENÜBER Magazine!
New tunes from Germany - listen in.

Isolation Berlin | Vertigo Berlin
Andreya Casablanca | Mansions & Millions
Ebow | Garip Werkstätten
G.Rag & die Landlergschwister | Gutfeeling Records
Salomea | Papercup Records

Author: Angie Portmann
Speaker (English): David Creedon
Speaker Female Voice-Overs (English): Louise Hollamby Kühr

Listen to Popcast on Spotify Deezer Apple Music Stitcher or head on over to: goethe.de/gegenuber/popcast


BR - Bayerischer Rundfunk Goethe-Institut Goethe-Institut Washington Goethe-Institut Montreal

10/28/2024

A heartfelt THANK YOU to General Secretary of the Goethe-Institut Johannes Ebert for his visit to Los Angeles!
From a stroll through MacArthur Park guided by local legend Carmelo Alvarez to an insightful discussion with curator Melina Cruz Bautista on the “Down Union” exhibition in our Neighborhood Interpretive Center program, Johannes Ebert engaged deeply with our eclectic city. His whirlwind visit was complemented by a tour of the Thomas Mann House, where he met with staff and fellows and concluded in an engaging exchange at the Goethe-Institut with Professor Nicholas J. Cull from USC Annenberg.

Throughout his stay, the team at the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles had opportunity for intensive conversations, and we are thankful to the Chief Steward of the 151 Goethe-Institutes worldwide for taking the time to visit us, for his attentive listening, thoughtful reflections, and a confirmed sense of purpose for our work in Los Angeles. Danke dafür!
Our sincere thanks to everyone who made this visit so special.

Goethe-Institut Thomas Mann House Carmelo Alvarez USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism Villa Aurora - Los Angeles Goethe-Institut San Francisco Goethe-Institut New York Goethe-Institut Boston Goethe-Institut Chicago Goethe-Institut Washington

10/23/2024

GERMAN CURRENTS FILM FESTIVAL LOS ANGELES 2024
You had to be there...

German Currents Film Festival Goethe-Institut American Cinematheque Condor Airlines German Consulate General Los Angeles German Film Office German Films Villa Aurora - Los Angeles Thomas Mann House Paulaner ELMA - European Languages & Movies in America Creating Creators GABA Film Initiative Goethe-Institut Boston Goethe-Institut Chicago Goethe-Institut Washington Goethe-Institut New York Sabin Tambrea Henriette Confurius Willi Geitmann Wood Water Films Salzgeber DCM Family - Filme Soleen Yusef Devid Striesow Komplizen Film Warner Bros. Pictures Achtung Panda JIP Film und Verleih Campus Circle