URGENT UPDATE: The Oldenburg Film Festival, running from September 10-14, 2025, has just unveiled its lineup featuring five unmissable films that promise to captivate audiences with their originality and emotional depth. This year’s selections range from a darkly humorous Irish drama to a gripping Mexican thriller, showcasing the festival’s commitment to unconventional indie cinema.
Among the standout features, the Irish drama Horseshoe tells the poignant story of four siblings returning to their childhood home after their father’s death. As they grapple with unresolved tensions and family secrets, they discover that their father’s ghost is not ready to let them move on. The film transforms the family estate into a pressure cooker of grief and grudges, making it a compelling watch for those seeking both dark humor and emotional resonance.
Moving to the global stage, Under the Burning Sun by Yun Xie follows Mowanza, a young woman facing an unwanted pregnancy in a country where abortion is illegal. Armed with only a car and a bottle of water, she embarks on a dangerous journey into the desert towards a neighboring state where the procedure is legal. This microbudget gem channels feminist outrage into a haunting narrative that is resonating with audiences.
Returning to the festival this year is Jerome Vandewattyne, the 2023 Audacity Award winner for The Belgian Wave. His new film, Summer Hit Machine, is a satirical take on the music industry, focusing on a band trapped in a studio by their eccentric label boss. As the recording session spirals out of control, the film explores the fragility of reality and the chaos of creative pursuits.
Also making waves is Ben Leonberg’s supernatural horror film Good Boy, which offers a unique twist on the haunted house genre. Told entirely from the perspective of a loyal Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Indy, the film highlights the dog’s fight against dark forces threatening his owner. This fresh canine perspective is already generating buzz after its successful showcase at SXSW.
Lastly, the thriller Cocodrilos by J. Xavier Velasco, which premiered at the Guadalajara Film Festival, follows Santiago, a photojournalist determined to expose injustice in Veracruz. After his mentor is murdered and the investigation is stifled, Santiago risks everything to bring the truth to light, illustrating the dangerous reality faced by journalists in Mexico.
With its reputation for showcasing the unconventional, the Oldenburg Film Festival is a must-see event for film enthusiasts. As these films promise to challenge norms and evoke deep emotions, audiences are urged to mark their calendars for this year’s festival. Stay tuned for more updates as the festival approaches!
