Songea, Tanzania. The young lawyer John Mbano in on a mission. His great-grandfather Songea Mbano, a leader of the Ngoni people, was executed by the German colonial army. His head was taken to Germany for racist research. The family is haunted by this pain to this day. John and his wife Cesilia embark on a life-changing journey. Their research and resilience culminate in a courageous decision—to travel to Berlin in search of their ancestorʼs remains. There, they join forces with activists challenging Germanyʼs culture of denial. What follows is a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks. Not even the historic visit of Germanyʼs Federal President to Johnʼs hometown heralds the return of their beloved ancestor. Yet, the Mbano family refuses to relent... “The Empty Grave” offers a personal angle amidst the global discourse on repatriation. Beyond the debates lies the poignant tale of violated lives and the struggle for a future disentangled from a painful past.

Olivia Popp, a member of the festival's international programming team, will introduce the film in English.