HIVE was initiated in January 2021 with the motivation to introduce new perspectives into the cultural and social environment of the city and to facilitate cultural exchange and build a community of filmmakers, artists, and audiences from different backgrounds and parts of the world.

HIVE has evolved significantly since its inception. The first edition, held at Apartment Project in August 2021, featured a diverse range of film selections and audiovisual performances, drawing a substantial audience. Building on this success, the second edition in September 2022 moved to a larger venue at Flutgraben, allowing for greater attendance and collaboration with industry professionals for curation.

By the third edition in September 2023, also held at Flutgraben, HIVE further expanded its offerings with new elements and a thematic approach. This growth attracted an even larger audience. Over these three editions, HIVE has consistently prioritized underrepresented voices in the global cinematic landscape, fostering meaningful engagement through in-person and remote Q&A sessions with directors.

Our aim is to create a sense of belonging and togetherness within new communities, adding to the diversity of Berlin. We want to facilitate cultural exchange and build a community of filmmakers, artists, and audiences from different backgrounds around the world. Our goal is to provide opportunities for artists and audiences to connect, encouraging collaboration and inspiring innovative projects in a creative environment.

The festival's choice of themes is equally purposeful and comprehensive. HIVE consciously avoids leaning towards a specific genre or recurring themes. This allows us to engage in discussions about current events while enhancing our inclusivity. Each year, we have three fixed selections, which focus on specific groups and emotions, enabling us to create a different journey annually. Starting from the 3rd Edition, we introduced a new theme every year. Last year's theme was "Unbound." We organized two screenings (one curated by us and one curated by a special guest), a workshop and a performance, all tailored to the theme of the year.

A key feature of HIVE is our multidisciplinary approach. We aim to incorporate diverse methods of visual and audio storytelling into our program to broaden our reach and experiment with various formats. Through short film selections, Q&A sessions, panels, workshops, and visual performances, we encourage open and respectful discussions on topics like diversity, racism, sexism, feminism, and more. This approach helps us provide a deeper understanding of the world we live in.