On January 27 and 28, 2026, our Augen auf [Eyes open] Cinema Day will take place to remember the victims of National Socialism. First held in 2025, the cinema day will make stops in Berlin, Dresden, Erfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Rostock and Stuttgart in 2026.
Films can have an enormous impact on society, providing low-threshold, emotional access to complex subjects and themes. This is why feature films invite us to take an in-depth look at the history of National Socialism.
The Augen auf-Kinotag consists of a top-class school cinema program on two mornings on 27 and 28 January and an evening program open to the general public on 27 January. Films will be shown that deal with Nazi history and the Holocaust in different ways. This cinema format deliberately creates a link to the here and now as well as the lives of young people and creates a meeting place that touches and inspires reflection.
Teachers are offered accompanying teaching materials, a handout and further training on how to teach about National Socialism and the Holocaust through film.
The idea for the Augen auf [Eyes open] Cinema Day on January 27 came about as a result of the marked rise in the suppression and denial of history in politics and society. Another factor was the results of the MEMO youth study in 2023: this revealed that although teenagers and young adults wish to be taught the facts about the Nazi era as well as learning about the historical sites and the present-day relevance of the period, half of the 16 to 25-year-olds surveyed were not able to correctly name the period of Nazi rule. These gaps in factual knowledge about National Socialism prompted us to think about how we could adopt a new approach to educational work.
Dr. Andrea Despot, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation EVZ: “Anyone who critically examines the disenfranchisement, persecution and extermination perpetrated by the National Socialists is more aware of discrimination today. Teaching history boosts solidarity and democracy. Young people want to understand and learn, not just be entertained. We need interactive and participatory initiatives for history education – both inside and outside of school.”
The Augen auf [Eyes open] Cinema Day was conceived and is being realized by the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Futureand the agency Jetzt & Morgen. VISION KINO, Network for Film and Media Competence, in cooperation with SchulKinoWochen provided educational support for the Cinema Day.