Black and white picture with a woman from the movie Varité

Classics of the Silent Film Era

In the open air, in the heart of Berlin.

This year's program

UFA FILM NIGHTS: Silent Movie Magic in the Heart of Berlin

A cherished fixture in Berlin’s cultural calendar, the UFA Film Nights entered their 15th edition this year. From August 27 to August 29, 2025, Bertelsmann and UFA presented open-air screenings of cinematic masterpieces from Weimar cinema on three evenings, against the spectacular backdrop of the museum buildings and accompanied by live music.

Since 2011, on three evenings in August, visitors have been surprised, delighted and enchanted by silent milestones from the early days of cinematography.

The interplay of music and film in what is perhaps the city’s most beautiful temporary open air cinema is a highlight of Berlin’s cultural summer every time.

Featured movies

Variety

August 27, 2025

On the first evening, the audience is invited to step inside the legendary Wintergarten—the famed Berlin variety theater of the 1920s. VARIETY (VARIETÈ) (1925) was partially filmed in the renowned theater itself. The UFA Film Nights presented the digitally restored version provided by the F.W. Murnau Foundation. It was accompanied by live music from the UFA Syncopators: Küspert & Kollegen, performing a newly composed score by Werner Küspert and Richard Siedhoff, which had its world premiere at the event. read more

Knight of the Rose

August 28, 2025

On the second evening, the program features the cinematic adaptation of Richard Strauss’s opera KNIGHT OF THE ROSE (DER ROSENKAVALIER) (1925), directed by Robert Wiene. Strauss himself arranged a purely instrumental version of his opera score for the film, also composing several new sections. The screening will be accompanied by the Metropolis Orchester Berlin (conducted by Burkhard Götze), playing Strauss' composition, which was restored by Tom Kemp. read more

The Convict from Istanbul

August 29, 2025

The UFA Film Nights 2025 will conclude with Gustav Ucicky’s THE CONVICT FROM ISTANBUL (DER STRÄFLING AUS STAMBUL). The digitally restored version of the film, prepared by the F.W. Murnau Foundation with support from Bertelsmann, will celebrate its world premiere at the UFA Film Nights 2025. Grammy-nominated composer and multi-instrumentalist PC Nackt will perform his specially commissioned score live. read more

Our Partners

Our Media Partners