Dedicated to visionaries and pioneering storytellers across the globe, we are an international action community of practice, working towards systemic change through the power of authentic and meaningful storytelling. Our catalytic home cinema of the commons and commoning film practices intends to co-create a nourishing influential movement for societal cohesion and to enact integral transformation for planetary impact.

 

Established in 2020 in Bern Switzerland ,Ethnokino Association is run by award winning filmmakers, scientists, experts and storytellers across the world. EthnoKino brings globally recognised EthnoKino Film Festival that screens trailblazing and award winning films with an authentically visionary concept. 

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Our aim is to explore and publicize critical scholarly and artistic perspectives of various life views and cosmologies through filmic means and, by doing so, to actively contribute to social cohesion, diversity, inclusivity and emancipation within Swiss society and beyond. We believe that independent and authentic storytelling builds solidarity and engages the audience meaningfully as it broadens minds and horizons. We seek to amplify the power of stories by facilitating funding, collaboration and impactful outreach.

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We support independent and transformative stories to be written, screened and shared to shift behavior and catalyze action. Up until its establishment we have screened more than 250 films and reached out to thousands of audiences. We have given 20 awards of recognition for outstanding filmmakers. We have hosted over 80 valuable guests, including award-winning documentary filmmakers, proclaimed thought leaders and inspiring visionaries. 

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Academically, EthnoKino is hosted by the Institute of Geography’s Media Lab and  Animating the Commons applied research initiative partnering with the University of Oxford and has become an accredited student assistant course at the Walter Benjamin Kolleg between 2020-2024. In 2024, we started a global multimodal mentoring training programme that applies a cinema based pedagogy Doc Impact Lab for Mov(i)ement Fellows through our various innovative Spaces. 

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Expanding our screenings to Berlin, Meiringen, Mexico City, Patagonia, Marrakech, New Delhi, Cappadocia and istanbul EthnoKino takes its community and fellows to a global journey , as an ever growing network of Partners and Community forming its current association.

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Our major sponsors are the Burgergemeinde, City of Bern and the Canton of Bern.

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Vision Statement:

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Our vision is to create a globally celebrated ethnographic film festival that transcends borders and cultures, fostering a deep understanding of humanity's rich diversity through the power of visual storytelling. Originating in Bern, Switzerland, and now resonating across the world in cities as vibrant and varied, our festival serves as a dynamic platform for filmmakers, anthropologists, and audiences to engage with the lived experiences of communities from every corner of the globe.

 

We envision a festival that not only showcases the finest in ethnographic cinema but also acts as a catalyst for dialogue, reflection, and social change. By bringing together voices from disparate regions and backgrounds, we aim to challenge stereotypes, highlight underrepresented narratives, and spark a global conversation on the shared challenges and triumphs of our collective human journey.

 

Our festival aspires to be more than a showcase; it is a mov(i)ement—a celebration of cultural diversity, a space for critical inquiry, and a bridge connecting the local and the global. Through our expansion to iconic and culturally significant locations, we seek to honor the uniqueness of each place while creating a shared global experience. In doing so, we hope to inspire a new generation of filmmakers and audiences to explore, understand, and appreciate the intricate tapestry of human life.

 

In every city, from the historic streets of Marrakech to the bustling energy of New Delhi, from the remote beauty of Patagonia to the ancient landscapes of Cappadocia, our festival will continue to push the boundaries of ethnographic filmmaking. We are committed to nurturing creative innovation, promoting ethical storytelling, and ensuring that every film we present offers a profound insight into the human condition.

 

Our vision is to become a beacon for ethnographic cinema worldwide, a festival that not only entertains but educates, inspires, and unites people through the universal language of film.