Doxumentale
  • Program
  • Dx'Hub
  • Dx'Pitch
  • Dx'Kids
  • Magazine
Tickets
  • EN
  • |
  • DE
  • EN
  • |
  • DE
Filmstill XY Chelsea

© Film still XY Chelsea

Film

What does it mean to be a whistleblower?

XY Chelsea is a documentary about the US-whistleblower Chelsea Manning, who sacrificed her freedom by leaking over 750,000 classified government documents in a controversial 16 years ago.

democracy
journalism
freedomofthepress
humanrights
society
Jana Sepehr
05.03.2026

It’s been 16 years since Chelsea Manning, a young Junior Intelligence Analyst of the US Army, sacrificed her freedom by leaking over 750,000 classified government documents in a controversial but undeniably courageous fight for government transparency.

What does it mean to be a whistleblower? What does it take to risk everything to ensure the people have a right to information? How does one rebuild a life after all of that?

As Chelsea Manning put it herself:

“I prefer a painful truth over
any blissful memory.” 


We, in collaboration with Disruption Network Lab and Sputnik Kino, are excited to invite you to a screening and discussion of XY CHELSEA (OV) on Monday, 16 March, 7:00 PM, at Sputnik Kino.

The documentary accompanies Manning as she leaves prison and begins a new life, while simultaneously dealing with the far-reaching consequences of her past. The film follows her fight for survival and dignity and her transition from prisoner to free woman. 

“Films like XY Chelsea help us to understand that important societal changes are driven by individuals who have the courage to take risks. These actions touch us emotionally and empower us”, says Tatiana Bazzichelli, Founder and Artistic Director of Disruption Network Lab. 

“We can all relate to courageous individuals like Chelsea Manning, who changed their lives to create a better society. Their actions have a deep, inspirational effect, providing a deeper understanding of wrongdoing and global injustice.”

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Tatiana Bazzichelli and Anna Ramskogler-Witt, Founder and Artistic Director of Doxumentale. 

To get more information and tickets click here.

Doxumentale, Disruption Network Lab, and Sputnik Kino co-present:

XY CHELSEA (OV) + Q&A
Monday, 16 March, 7:00 PM, Sputnik

USA 2019 | Documentary | Director: Tim Travers Hawkins

XY CHELSEA tells the historic story of whistleblower Chelsea Manning, whose 35-year sentence in an all-male maximum security prison was commuted by President Obama in 2017. XY CHELSEA is the journey of her fight for survival and dignity, and her transition from prisoner to a free woman.

Click here for Trailer, Tickets and more

Jana Sepehr

Jana Sepehr is a freelance journalist for Die Zeit, Der Spiegel and ZDF, among others. She accompanies the Dokumentale as editor-in-chief of the program magazine and supports the D'Salon as curator.

More posts by this author  

Categories

Book
D'Hub
D'Lounge
D'Salon
Festival
Film
Interview
Podcast
VX

Hashtags

  • society
  • freedomofthepress
  • art
  • democracy
  • youth
  • environment
  • humanrights
  • journalism
  • berlin
  • culture

Recent Articles

05.06.2026

Doxumentale 2026 winners have been announced

"Redlight to Limelight" wins this year’s Doxumentale Award for Best Documentary Film, "Trade Secret" and "Miss Jobson" got a special mention – and the best part is, you can still watch them till Sunday.

04.06.2026

Summer Nights: Your Guide to This Weekend's Open-Air Screenings

There is something truly special about cinema under the open sky: the quiet buzz before the film begins, a cold drink in hand, and Berlin's summer atmosphere all around you. As the city moves into its most beautiful months, open-air screenings are the perfect way to welcome the season.

31.05.2026

Dance is Universal, and Yet so Personal

The documentary "Omega wants to Dance" follows people across Asia, Europe, North and Latin America and showing how movement reveals identity, belonging, and social change within different cultural contexts – and asks: what truly moves us?

RSS-Feeds

  • Recent posts
Stories of Freedom
Film

Stories of Freedom: Explore the Program

16.10.2025

The Stories of Freedom programme is here! Explore films, talks, and installations about courage, resistance, and freedom on 14 November in Berlin.

D'Hub

Festival Diary Day 3

13.10.2024

Read more about our highlights from the third day of Doxumentale. And plan yourself an amazing fourth festival day with our tips!

Festival

The Stories Behind the Headlines

11.06.2025

How do we confront fear, disinformation, and extremist manipulation? Director Havana Marking shares the story behind a bold and timely investigation into the fragile state of democracy.

20% Discount
on a Ticket of Your Choice

Sign up for our festival newsletter now and get 20% off a ticket of your choice. Stay up to date with the latest festival news, background stories, exclusive discounts and last-minute tips.

You will receive a confirmation email. By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy.

Almost there! Please confirm your subscription via the link in the email we just sent you.

Supported by
Supported by Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg
  • Program
  • Dx'Hub
  • Dx'Pitch
  • Dx'Kids
  • Magazine
  • Categories
  • Tags
  • Authors
  • Search
  • Tickets
  • Partner
  • FAQ
  • Archive
  • Contact
  • Team
  • Jobs
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Imprint
  • Cookie-Settings
...