Ringing in the New Year, German Gems returns to the Castro, San Francisco’s citadel of cinema, for a final celebration of new German films. The jam-packed day will start with a documentary about nuclear power plants in Germany, followed by a panel discussion with international speakers.

Several of the films on the program are by young, promising filmmakers: No Way Home, about two lost souls in their sixties who find each other and a new beginning; Above Us Only Sky is probing deep into the heart and mind of a young woman who is desperately trying to hold on to a broken life; and Westwind, last summer’s best German love story. The festival will close on a provocative note with Taboo – The Soul is a Stranger in Earth, a film about the forbidden love between poet Georg Trakl and his sister.

For festival passes and happy hour tickets, as well as a complete schedule of screenings, visit this link.

Saturday, January 14th @ Castro Theater, 419 Castro, SF | Sunday, January 15 @ Arena Theater, 214 Main, Point Arena | $7-$50