This year’s 11mm – International Football Film Festival will open with the documentary A Summer in Italy – World Cup 1990, an atmospheric cinematic look back at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, still regarded as one of the most defining tournaments in football history. Directors Nadja Kölling and Vanessa Goll will be present in person to introduce the film at the opening screening.

The festival team is also delighted to welcome Hermann Gerland as a special guest. The longtime assistant coach to Louis van Gaal, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Jupp Heynckes and Hansi Flick is widely regarded as one of the great experts on German football. In conversation, he will reflect on Germany’s World Cup triumph and share personal insights from his many years at the highest level of the game.

The evening will be hosted by Meili Scheidemann (ZDF), with musical accompaniment by Dirk Rave.