FilmFest Hamburg Welcomes Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache
21. July 2026
The acclaimed directing duo behind Intouchables, Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, will be welcomed to FilmFest Hamburg. Renowned for crafting deeply human stories that combine humor, emotional depth and keen social observation, they will present the German premiere of their new film Just an Illusion. As part of the Explorer Konferenz on 1 October, they will also take part in a moderated fireside chat about crafting stories that connect with millions.
Few directing duos have cracked intelligent and successful comedy the way Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache have. With films such as Intouchables, which attracted more than 30 million cinema-goers in France and the DACH region alone, and C’est la vie!, they have achieved international box-office success. Premiering their new film Just an Illusion at this year’s FilmFest Hamburg, the writers-directors sit down for a fireside chat on what actually makes comedy work: finding the theme underneath the humor, building scenes that earn their laughs, and the timing and pace that separate a punchline from a moment. A rare, insightful conversation with two of French cinema’s sharpest minds.
Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache: “We’re very happy to be part of FilmFest Hamburg this year with our new film Just an Illusion and look forward to exchanging ideas with the international film industry, inspiring encounters, and sharing our experience of cinema at the Explorer Konferenz 2026.”
Just an Illusion Celebrates Its German Premiere in Hamburg
With Just an Illusion, FilmFest Hamburg presents the latest work by the award-winning directing duo, who once again demonstrate their remarkable ability to weave together entertaining, humorous and socially resonant storytelling. Vincent is almost 13 and growing up in a Paris suburb in the mid-1980s. Caught between an older brother who barely notices him and parents locked in constant arguments, he often feels adrift. No longer a child but not yet an adult, Vincent navigates life’s biggest questions: identity, friendship, family, first love – and why adults themselves never seem to know what they’re doing.
Explorer Konferenz: Redefining Production
As part of the FilmFest Hamburg Industry Days, the Explorer Konferenz will focus on the theme “Redefining Production”. Alongside a special emphasis on comedy, the programme explores new organisational and business models for production companies, as well as creative and economic innovation with a particular focus on Asian markets. The one-day conference is curated by Fabian Massah (Producer, Endorphine Production / Head of FilmFest Hamburg Industry Days), Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine (Producer / Advisor, Legal & International Affairs, Paris), and producer Heejung Oh (SeeSaw Pictures, Seoul). The Explorer Konferenz is complemented by the Explorer Impuls series, curated by Hamburg-based producer Ali Hakim and now expanding into a year-round programme.
FilmFest Hamburg: A Hub for the International Film Industry
The FilmFest Hamburg Industry Days (28 September – 1 October 2026) have established themselves as a key platform for filmmakers, producers, distributors, festival programmers, and other professionals from across the international film industry. Its core formats include the Explorer Konferenz, European Work in Progress (EWIP), the International Film Distribution Summit (IFDS), and the Made in Germany showcase. The Industry Days are further complemented by a range of professional development initiatives, including #Atelier, presented in cooperation with the Semaine de la Critique at the Cannes Film Festival and the FIRST STEPS talent initiative, as well as Futura Cinema, Nordic NEST, and ENCOURAGE Film Talents, a programme dedicated to emerging filmmakers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Across four days, the programme brings together pitch sessions, panel discussions, talks, and networking events, creating a bridge between artistic ambition and the realities of the film business.
