FRACTO
Experimental Film EncounterMay 23 —25, 2025
Berlin, Kunsthaus ACUDFRACTO is an annual film festival that has been held in Berlin since 2017, dedicated to advancing the appreciation and significance of avant-garde and experimental filmmaking. Organized by the non-profit association FRACTO e.V., the festival primarily takes place at Kunsthaus ACUD, an independent art center established in 1991 in East Berlin. As the only city festival of its kind and one of the few in Europe, FRACTO aims to elevate the visibility and importance of avant-garde and experimental film practices.
The festival features two distinct sections: historical and contemporary, which together provide a comprehensive overview of the experimental film landscape while introducing fresh perspectives and voices. Serving as a vital discourse platform often overlooked in mainstream film distribution and reception, FRACTO has become a reference point for those interested in the unique qualities of the medium, artistic expression, and the experiences that avant-garde cinema offers. At its essence, FRACTO enhances Berlin's dynamic cultural environment, fostering openness and creative momentum.
Over the years, the festival has showcased an average of 60 international experimental films across 12 programs, including numerous world, European, and German premieres. Notable focuses have included works by Jean Painlevè, Paolo Gioli, Stan Brakhage, Claudine Eizykman, Peter Tscherkassky, the Finnish Artists’ Moving Images Scene, Emmanuel Lefrant, and Milena Gierke, alongside a diverse selection of international films that reflect the contemporary landscape of experimental filmmaking.
FRACTO provides artists and filmmakers with opportunities to submit their works through an international call for submissions. With a commitment to transparent, high-quality film selections and thoughtfully curated events, the festival has gained recognition both in Berlin and on the international stage. The curatorial approach and programming of FRACTO allow experimental works to find their place in time and space, fostering a sense of community and providing a platform for these films to reach audiences.