Many of 2025’s Best Films Are Playing at the 14 Films Festival in Berlin
by Alex Billington
November 25, 2025
Source: 14 Films
Want to catch some of the best films of the year? ‘Tis the season! The esteemed Around the World in 14 Films Festival kicks off in the city of Berlin this weekend. Once again, their 2025 line-up features many of the best films of the year – curated from film festivals around the world that took place earlier in 2025. Around the World in 14 Films is celebrating its 19th year – and it remains the best film festival in Berlin, taking the crown from Berlinale as they continue to show an even better selection, with better Q&As, and a better experience at some of the coziest cinemas around town with plenty of seats for everyone. The opening night premiere on Friday, November 28th this year is Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, which I still believe was the real winner of the Palme d’or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival back in May (my full review). Along with bringing this film to Berlin, the festival is showing a handful of other favorites and a shining selection of other indie gems from around the world – just as their name indicates. I’m always back at this fest every December, ready to catch up with a few films I missed from 2025 festivals and rewatching others.
What do I suggest watching? If you live in Berlin or you’re in the area from November 28th to December 6th, I recommend watching any of the movies playing – whatever catches your eye. Within the 2025 line-up:
Silent Friend – Ohhh I absolutely adore this film – an enlightening triptych story set across three different timelines about studying trees and whether they can communicate with us. It’s gorgeous – a must watch.
Resurrection – Bi Gan’s mesmerizing journey into cinema history is another must see on the big screen.
A Useful Ghost – A hilarious dark comedy from Thailand about a ghost possessing a vacuum cleaner (yes really) and causing all kinds of trouble with a family. A Thai indie gem discovery from Cannes.
A Poet – Another hilarious indie gem discovery from Cannes – this is about an aging poet from the country of Colombia who tries to mentor a young woman he meets but learns even more about disappointment.
Calle Malaga – A beautiful story about a Spanish woman living in her nice apartment in Tangier, Morocco. When her daughter comes to sell the apartment, she fights back and shows us her beautiful neighborhood.
No Other Choice – Park Chan-wook’s wild dark comedy about a guy desperately trying to find a new job.
Magellan – Lav Diaz’s stunning story about how much of an asshole the explorer Magellan really was.
Nouvelle Vague – Richard Linklater’s first French film is a clever, kooky French New Wave re-imagining from the inside out – showing us (in classic B&W) how Jean-Luc Godard made Breathless in 1960. It’s fun.
It Was Just An Accident – Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s award-winning new film is worth watching.
Dracula – This zany new meta comedy made by one-of-a-kind Romanian filmmaker Radu Jude is not really about Dracula, it’s making fun of AI and Dracula and everything else going on within pop culture now.
The Little Sister – A charming coming-of-age French film about a young lesbian experiencing first love.
Sentimental Value – As I already said earlier in the post, this is one of my favorite films of 2025 that will probably remain in my Top 10 by the end of the year. Featuring especially warm and tender filmmaking.
For more info on screenings, tickets, and more – visit their official website at 14films.de or follow them on IG @aroundtheworldin14films or on Facebook. I’m happy to bring attention to this charming little festival in Berlin because it really is one of the best places to watch all of these exceptional films. While there are a few other 2025 gems I’d like to see at the fest this year (e.g. The Testament of Ann Lee, Hamnet, 100 Nights of Hero) this year’s line-up is pretty strong anyway. And there’s always something to watch and discover even if you’ve never heard of it before – which is part of the magic of a great film festival like this one. Most films are shown with English subtitles in the original format. Anyone can go! Tickets are available at fair prices (12€) for the general public. I’ll be watching a few films next week, just for my own enjoyment. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to view some of the best new cinema of 2025 with vibrant cinephile audiences.
 |