Movies & Discussions

For those about to write -- let them come to Berlin! Think of us as a writers' room on the Iron Curtain. We help you turn ideas into Beat Sheets, and Beat Sheets into Scripts. Whatever your level -- we help you to raise your game. We also do a lot of table reads. And provide constructive feedback. And talk about books and films and shows we love -- and draw inspiration for our own projects from them. We workshop works-in-progress. We give you the tools -- you find your flow. Broadly speaking, we have ways to make you write!

Französisch sprechen und anwenden mal anders! Wir entdecken die französisch Sprache und Kultur mit den Augen französischer Literaten. Ideal für frankophile Leute mit Hang zur beaux-arts. Texten sind vorhanden

**Film Night – It Is Not The Homosexual Who is Perverse, But the Society in Which He Lives** For **LGBTQIA+** **[Free with registration](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/village-film/w18-2026)** **Totally F\*\*\*ed Up** directed by **Gregg Araki** **USA**, 1993 – 78 min **In English with French Subtitles** Across fifteen jagged episodes, **TOTALLY F\*\*\*ED UP** plunges headlong into the lives of a group of queer, disaffected Los Angeles teenagers who form a kind of makeshift family as they navigate desire and heartbreak, societal and familial rejection, and the alienation of growing up gay in an era of relentless moralizing. 🔵 **[Kostenlos mit Anmeldung](https://wearevillage.org/shop/village-film/w18-2026/)** **Totally F\*\*\*ed Up** Regie: **Gregg Araki** **USA**, 1993 – 78 Min. **Englisch mit französischen Untertiteln** In fünfzehn kantigen Episoden stürzt sich **TOTALLY F\*\*\*ED UP** kopfüber in das Leben einer Gruppe queerer, entfremdeter Teenager aus Los Angeles, die eine Art improvisierte Familie bilden, während sie sich durch Begehren und Herzschmerz, gesellschaftliche und familiäre Zurückweisung sowie die Entfremdung des schwulen Erwachsenwerdens in einer Ära unablässiger Moralisierung bewegen.

Der Stammtisch beginnt um 19:00 Uhr der **Vortrag um 19:30**. **Wissenschaft und Publikationen - Eine Spurensuche** Wissenschaftler:innen veröffentlichen ihre Ergebnisse in Fachzeitschriften, Büchern und anderen Formaten. Dabei hinterlassen sie Spuren, die einiges über das Wissenschaftssystem verraten: Zum Beispiel zu welchen Themen besonders viel geforscht wird oder wer häufig zusammenarbeitet. Die Spurensuche hat jedoch auch unbeabsichtigte Konsequenzen für das Wissenschaftssystem. **Dorothea Strecker** ist wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Als Teil des Lehrstuhls Information Management forscht sie zu Open Access. **Format** Das Edutainment-Format "Skeptics in the Pub" kommt ursprünglich aus dem UK und verbindet unterhaltsame wissenschaftliche Vorträge mit Diskussion und Socializing in entspannter Atmosphäre. Seit einigen Jahren gibt es auch im deutschsprachigen Raum regelmäßige Veranstaltungsreihen u.a. in Köln, Wien und jetzt auch in Berlin.

Need a mid-week pick-me-up? Join us for **Sip Happens!** this week at Electric Social, where good beer and great games come together for a fun and fantastic social night! Whether you're a board game pro or just looking for a chill night out and a fun way to socialize, there's something for everyone. Grab a beer (or cider, or wine, or even a tea!), **pick (or bring) a game,** and meet some new friends as we roll dice, play cards, and laugh the night away. From classics like Catan and Scrabble to party favorites like Cards Against Humanity, we’ve got it all. Coming straight from work? No problem...the kitchen serves awesome food as well! 😉 So, round up your mates or come solo—either way, you’ll leave with new friends and fun memories. Cheers to making midweek nights something to look forward to! 🍺🎉 We always have several organisers there (male and female), so come say hello to us! We care to make sure that everyones enjoys themselves and we have **no tolerance for bad behaviour or creepiness.** **Follow us on Insta:** @siphappens.berlin **Join us on Telegram:** t.me/siphappens_berlin **👉 Other important notes:** \- 🍸 The locations we visit are bars and clubs\, they are businesses and we are able to keep these events free ONLY if people buy drinks\. Please respect the locations and the event by making purchases \- 🦹‍♂️ Remember to keep an eye on your belongings and prioritize your own well\-being\. We are not responsible for any lost items or personal issues\. \- 📷 By attending our events\, you consent to being photographed or filmed\. Photos and videos taken during the events may be shared on our social media\. If you do not wish to appear in the photos or if you appear in a photo that we post that you would like removed\, please send us a private message as soon as possible on Instagram \(@siphappens\.berlin\)

Raus aus der Sprachlosigkeit und rein ins Gespräch – das soll die neue Reihe „Sprechen und Zuhören“ den Menschen im Stadtteil ermöglichen. Das Thema des Abends ist Zivilcourage im Alltag: Zwischen Wegschauen und Hinschauen im Kiez. Wie geht es mir damit? Manchmal werden im Alltag Situationen erlebt, die einen nicht mehr loslassen und nach Handeln fragen. Ob im Bus, auf der Straße oder im Hausflur: Was löst das Handeln des Gegenübers aus? Was hätte man tun können? Wie hätte man sich sonst verhalten können? Diese Veranstaltung lädt dazu ein, in kleiner Runde über Erlebtes, Gehörtes, zum Thema als solches ins Gespräch zu kommen – ehrlich, offen und ohne Bewertung. Anmeldung: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xG5ju2PuHq Wir freuen uns auf Euch! *** Die Veranstaltung findet in Kooperation mit dem Stadtteilzentrum Schöneberg und der Bezirksstelle für Koordination und Beteiligung statt. Das Dialogformat „Sprechen und Zuhören“ wurde von Mehr Demokratie e.V. entwickelt und wird inzwischen deutschlandweit durchgeführt. English version below *** Breaking the silence and getting the conversation started – that is what the new ‘Speaking and Listening’ series aims to enable for people in the neighbourhood. The theme of the evening is moral courage – looking away or looking on? Sometimes, in everyday life, we encounter situations that stay with us and call for action. Whether on the bus, in the street or in the hallway: what does the other person’s behaviour trigger? What could one have done? How else might one have behaved? This event invites participants to engage in small-group discussions about experiences and things heard, and to talk about the topic itself – honestly, openly and without judgement. Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xG5ju2PuHq We look forward to seeing you there! *** The event is taking place in cooperation with the Schöneberg Stadtteilzentrum and the District Office for Coordination and Participation. The ‘Speaking and Listening’ dialogue format was developed by Mehr Demokratie e.V. and is now being run across Germany.

Curious what we do? Check our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/filmmakersandmovienerds/) ♥️ Would you like to meet some like-minded filmmakers? Start a project? Or do you need help with a movie you are currently working on? Are you new in the city and you'd like to meet people tinkering with movies? **Then you should join us!** We meet every Sunday. It’s important to us that we get to know each other in person. To create a community of connected people, work, learn and grow together. For film making you need a crew of reliable people with a positive can-do-attitude. This is the place to find them. Together, we will talk about these topics: * What you are currently working on * What you need help with * What would you like to help with * What you you would like to learn This is event is great for: * filmmakers * movie nerds * writers * camera operators * editors * actors * sound recorders * composers * gaffers * producers We are limiting the amount of people, so we can have a structured introduction and discussion. After that we get together loosely with some drinks and chats. And then we mostly go for dinner with a couple of us. **Important information**: *To sustain and grow this amazing community, we started a member contribution that is due every month. The money we collect is used solely for the purpose of the community. Of course you can come once or twice without contributing to check us out!*

**🎬 Screenwriters' Meetup Invitation 🎬** This meetup is for anyone passionate about storytelling—whether you’re a screenwriter, filmmaker, producer, or someone with a great idea looking for the right collaborators. Whether you’re just starting out or deep into your screenplay, this is the perfect space to create, collaborate, and refine your work. This Sunday (May 3) at 15:00, we’re back at Workish for our next Screenwriting Focus Group—and this time it’s all about getting creative. We’re doing a creative writing session. In the first part, we’ll just jump in and improvise—write a scene, a short text, sketch a story idea… whatever feels right to you. Then we’ll share what we’ve created, read it out loud, and talk about it together. It’s all about trying things out, getting inspired, and seeing where the ideas take us. Would be great to see you there.

**Overview** This two day workshop is open to filmmakers, writers, and creative souls alike - Join us as we discover the amazing word of Fiction! **Workshop Description** *"Whatever You Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not"* [https://workshops.filmarche.de/event/260502_charactersanddialog](https://workshops.filmarche.de/event/260502_charactersanddialog "https://workshops.filmarche.de/event/260502_charactersanddialog") This two-day workshop will explore two essential elements of great fiction: character and dialogue. Together, we’ll first consider (and challenge) some ideas of more traditional storytelling; this is so we can then look at other, more unexpected ways to craft a vivid and undeniable narrative. We’ll discuss a range of techniques for creating characters who’re worthy of audience investment—characters who continually grow more known yet also more mysterious: * What exactly makes a character “interesting” to audiences? * What distinguishes a character arc that’s confusing from one that’s compelling? * What’re common pitfalls or out-of-date formulas for creating characters? * How can you elevate character development from basic level existence to magnetic presence? We’ll also focus on dialogue—one of the most evocative as well as most difficult-to-wield tools in a writer’s toolbox. So we want to demystify why it challenges so many writers. In class we’ll read examples of contemporary fiction writers—like George Saunders, Joy Williams, and Richard Price—who’ve cracked the dialogue code in uniquely spellbinding ways. And we’ll apply some of their techniques to our own creative work. Besides serving as a method for character development, dialogue can also act as a powerful force by which to create conflict, escalate tension, and galvanize a plot’s pacing. Together, we’ll break down some of dialogue’s seemingly more elusive principles, including: * What distinct challenges does dialogue present to writers? * What qualities do we tend to find in or use to describe the better kinds of dialogue? * How do we organically and clearly distinguish different characters’ voices from each other? * What’re some techniques to avoid writing dialogue that sounds one-dimensional or perfunctory? By the end of this workshop, you’ll come away with a greater grasp of how to craft exciting characters, write engaging dialogue, and overcome several unique challenges in storytelling. **Workshop Location and Dates** This event takes place over the course of two days (Saturday May 2nd from 10:00 - 18:00, Sunday May 3rd from 10:00 - 18:00) at the filmArche campus in Berlin Neukölln. **About the Instructor** Alexander Lumans is a fiction writer based in Berlin. He’s been awarded fellowships to The Arctic Circle Residency in 2015 and 2025, a 2018 U.S. National Endowment for the Arts Grant in Fiction, and the Philip Roth Residency at Bucknell University. His writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Electric Literature’s Recommended Reading, Guernica, PolarLit, Off Assignment, American Short Fiction, and others. And he’s won fiction contest prizes from The Sycamore Review, The Yalobusha Review, and Gulf Coast. He received his MFA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He currently teaches for the Berlin Writers’ Workshop. And he’s currently at work on a novel set in the contemporary High Arctic of Svalbard, Norway. ### **\*To Register for the Event/Purchase a Ticket** PLEASE READ! Tickets cost between 80 - 120 euros. In order to register and pay for the event, you must visit this website and register there: [https://workshops.filmarche.de/event/260502_charactersanddialog](https://workshops.filmarche.de/event/260502_charactersanddialog "https://workshops.filmarche.de/event/260502_charactersanddialog") Please click the link above to register and send your proof of payment to the email provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Minority Report is a weekly stand-up comedy show about identity, culture, and the expat experience. Are you a minority in Europe? Did something weird, awkward, or low-key offensive happen to you this week? This is the space to vent your feelings about it. Every week, comedians Bryan Lee and Moe Singleton take the stage to unpack life as outsiders, offering their unique commentary on topics like race, masculinity, relationships, and life between cultures. Add weekly special guest comedians and “question time” with the audience, and you’ve got Berlin’s most unhinged comedy experience. 🎟️ Want to warm up before the show? Check out our comedy workshop – a beginner-friendly stand-up class with Bryan and Moe, hosted just before the show.

RSVP on Luma: [https://luma.com/ou3ks02q?utm_source=Meetup](https://luma.com/8jyxp83f?utm_source=Meetup) Silent Reading / Creating Club is a gathering for people who enjoy focusing together in public. Bring a book, a notebook, a sketchpad, knitting needles, whatever you’d like to spend a quiet hour doing. All projects and all participants are welcome. We’re building a community of readers and creators who value depth, presence, and shared silence. The reading and creating isn't the real highlight, though, it’s in the people who return and make it feel like a familiar room. (Please RSVP “yes” only if you can make it, so we can save a seat for you and others on the waitlist.) Our Meeting Point is the **W66 Café**. There’s no entrance fee, but please order at least one item from the café and don’t bring outside food or drinks 🙂 No assignments, expectations, or pressure. Just a shared hour of intentional silence, followed by the opportunity for good conversation. 🕰 Our Agenda **10:30 – 11:00** Arrivals, ordering drinks/food, light social time **11:00 – 12:00** The Great Quiet Hour (Read. Write. Sketch. Code. Think. Sit.) **12:00 – 12:30** Optional socializing: share what you were reading or creating, or simply continue in quiet focus. ## 🏡 House Guidelines To keep this space calm and welcoming for everyone: • Silence during the focus hour (no calls or conversations) • Put cellphones on silent mode • If using technology, please avoid meetings or audio (headphones please!) • Arrive before 11:00 if possible to minimize disruptions

Book a ticket [HERE](https://www.epiccomedyberlin.com/weekly-shows?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=dark-thoughts-meetup-berlin-sales&utm_content=listing-main-v1&target=weekly-shows&show=dark-thoughts&city=berlin) A Berlin comedy show where Berlin's top stand up comedians take your suggestions and generate hilarious sets on the spot! ★★★★★ DOORS 10:45 PM SHOW STARTS 11 PM ★★★★★ ★★★★★ENGLISH-SPEAKING★★★★★ Finally, something Netflix can't match! The Darkest Thoughts Comedy Berlin show offers you the audience a chance to get immediate comedy based on any topic you can think of. This interactive comedy show opens with a short and funny conversation with the host about what themes interest you today. Then there is a short break where you get another drink and write down whatever you want us to improvise about in the second part related to the themes we discussed. Then a lineup of the best Berlin comedians will come in and improvise standup comedy on the spot with your notes! It's gonna be funny, interesting comedy show generated straight from your thoughts! This is a donation-based show (Recommended donation 10-15 Euro) so entry is free but we recommend you reserve your seat as seating is limited (reservations valid until 15 minutes before the show starts.) So reserve now and let the Darkest Thoughts Comedy show pluck some funny directly from your mind!

This week we are discussing **Deborah Levy:** August Blue. We look forward to seeing you! If you have book suggestions, would like to vote on our next reads, or join us for additional activities, please ask someone at the meeting to add you to our WhatsApp group. Just a heads up: **The cafe only accepts card payments for amounts over €10**, so you may want to bring some cash for smaller orders. **Also, if you're unable to attend, please update your RSVP so that someone from the waiting list can take your spot.**

Join us as we get together to see your choice of two VERY different movies – one sweet and wholesome – the other a terrifying folklore horror! Option 1 is the fun whodunnit-action-comedy-mystery led by Hugh Jackman, THE SHEEP DETECTIVES! Option 2 is the top-reviewed supernatural-horror-thriller starring Adam Scott, HOKUM! Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: THE SHEEP DETECTIVES: Every night a shepherd reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand. When he is found dead, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it. The film is directed by Kyle Balda and take a look at this ensemble cast: Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau and Emma Thompson and the voices of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O'Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein and Rhys Darby. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyZI5oM6hWk HOKUM: In this film, a horror writer visits an Irish inn to scatter his parents' ashes, unaware the property is said to be haunted by a witch. It is written/directed by Damian McCarthy stars Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh and Austin Amelio. Hokum premiered to rave reviews at this year’s SXSW Festival and is being release by Neon. It is earning a stellar 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which calls it, “A classic haunted house story enriched with atmospheric folklore and perfectly-timed shocks!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVCIK_MPyhc PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing of both films and will meet inside the theater lobby about 20 minutes before showtime. If the showtimes work out, we’ll try to get both groups together for a bite before the shows! Complete details and showtime will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Join us for a Fun Friday event as we get together to see the long-awaited sequel to the 2006 original, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2! Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci all return for this follow-up that finds the former assistant is now a rival! Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follow’s Miranda Priestly's struggle against Emily Charlton, her former assistant turned rival executive, as they compete for advertising revenue amidst declining print media. The film is directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna (who wrote/directed the 2006 original). It stars returning cast members Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci along with newcomers Justin Theroux and Kenneth Branagh. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9HXmMnUEdE PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 30 minutes before showtime. Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but early arrival is advised. Be sure to mention you’re with the Movie Group for admission/concession discounts. And make this a true Fun Friday by joining us after the show for the best part of the night – food and drinks at the nearby Rusty Bucket! Complete details, including showtime, will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Should be a fun one, Dan

Join us as we get together to see the BAFTA-winning British biographical dark-comedy/drama, I SWEAR! The film is based on the true-life story of a Scottish man diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at an early age. Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPITON: This true-life story follows a Scottish man diagnosed with Tourette's at 15. Targeted as 'insane' by his peers, he struggled with a condition few had witnessed. In search of his life’s purpose, he began campaigning for better understanding and acceptance of the condition of Tourette's as an adult. The film is written/directed/produced by Kirk Jones and stars Robert Aramayo, Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson and Peter Mullan. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeWqQN3snCU BUZZ & ACCLAIM: I Swear currently has an incredible 100% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which says: “A deft balance of prickly and sweet that's bound together by Robert Aramayo's knockout performance, I Swear doesn't sugarcoat the challenges of Tourette syndrome while delivering an uplifting tale of resilience.” Others call it, “"funny, fierce and full of heart!” The film was released earlier in the UK making it eligible for this year’s BAFTA’s where it won Best Casting and Best Lead Actor for Robert Aramayo. The film and Robert Aramayo's performance will be eligible for next year’s Oscars! PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the bar area about 30 minutes before showtime! Once details are confirmed, advance ticket purchase is advised! Details will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Should be a good one, Dan

A very unusual choice for his group... Unknown Number: High School Catfish is an American [true crime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_crime "True crime") documentary film directed by [Skye Borgman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skye_Borgman "Skye Borgman") and released to [streaming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_media "Streaming media") on [Netflix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix "Netflix") on August 29, 2025. The documentary explores the events and investigation into an unknown person [cyberbully](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberbullying "Cyberbullying") and [harassing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harassment "Harassment") teenagers in [Beal City, Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beal_City,_Michigan "Beal City, Michigan") using an unknown number via insults and sexual claims. It also explores the increasingly great impact of the harassment on the community, the eventual reveal of the culprit, and the trial that followed. IMPORTANT INFO: I strongly suggest not reading anything about it online before seeing it. It's best viewed with no previous knowledge. This documentary contains crude terminology and deals with cyberbullying, which may be a trigger for some folks. PLEASE NOTE - WE ARE STARTING AT 6:30, WHICH IS THIRTY MINUTES EARLIER THAN USUAL. Unfortunately, it is only available on Netflix. If you would like to attend but do not have Netflix, say so and maybe we can figure something out.

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. For this event, our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:20am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1 (in the back of the building), indicated in the attached map. On-site parking in the adjacent lot and street parking is available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please try to update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. Our Partner Agency for this event is Lutheran Social Services! A huge THANK YOU to all of YOU for volunteering at this (and any of our previous) CMG Gives Back events! Should be another good/fun/meaningful time together, Dan

**Optional movie afterwards**

Tickets are now on sale!🥳We also will have lunch before. At the Rusty Bucket in Easton which is posted separately. 😊 Park in the East Garage.The restaurant is across the street then we can walk back together to the movie! 🥳