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8. September 2026
Responses to the state of the world
Current works by internationally renowned directors, award-winning festival films and new voices: FilmFest Hamburg will be showing 114 films from 64 countries in ten sections from 24 September to 3 October 2026. The festival will open with The Idiot(s) by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert, and close with Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! by Josef Kubota Wladyka.
3. September 2026
Films from Germany
In the “Große Freiheit” section, FilmFest Hamburg is presenting twelve films from contemporary German cinema this year, their directors ranging from new talents to established filmmakers, including Fatih Akin, Wim Wenders, Frauke Finsterwalder and Ann Oren. With The Other Side, Biermann, Der große Zusammenbruch, Children of the Sun and Lies About My Mother, five productions are celebrating their world premieres in Hamburg.
1. September 2026
Through the eyes of others
With Lucas Dhont and Małgorzata Szumowska, FilmFest Hamburg is presenting two formative voices of European cinema as Filmmakers in Focus this year. As different as their cinematic styles may be, they are united by a keen eye for the tension that exists between identity, social expectations and personal relationships. Both will be in Hamburg to present their latest films and a selection of earlier works, offering insights into their creative process during discussions about their work.
25. August 2026
Made in Germany
FilmFest Hamburg Industry Days has announced this year’s programme for its Made in Germany series. From 28 to 30 September 2026, the three-day event will bring together current topics and pressing issues facing the German film and media industry at the Curiohaus, located just around the corner from the festival cinema CinemaxX Dammtor.
24. August 2026
Opening and closing
FilmFest Hamburg eröffnet seine 34. Ausgabe am 24. September mit der Europapremiere von The Idiot(s) von Małgorzata Szumowska und Michał Englert und schließt am 3. Oktober mit Josef Kubota Wladykas Sundance-prämierter Tragikomödie Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!. Im Zentrum beider Filme stehen starke Frauen, die ihren eigenen Weg behaupten, gegen männliche Selbstüberschätzung, Verlust und die Erwartungen ihres Umfelds.
20. August 2026
Explorer Konferenz 2026
On 1 October 2026, the Explorer Konferenz will once again bring together international experts from the creative industries, finance and innovation as part of the FilmFest Hamburg Industry Days. Now in its seventh edition, the conference will feature, among others, Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache (Intouchables), Maria Ekerhovd (Sentimental Value), vertical-drama pioneer Guillaume Sanjorge and neuroscientist Sophie Scott.
20. August 2026
Douglas Sirk Award for Helen Mirren
FilmFest Hamburg to honour Academy-Award winning Dame Helen Mirren, who stars in Anton Corbijn’s A Talent for Murder. The British Oscar-winning actress will receive the festival’s most prestigious award in person in Hamburg on 29 September. As part of the award ceremony, the festival will screen her new film A Talent for Murder, directed by Anton Corbijn, in which Mirren plays the writer Patricia Highsmith.
13. August 2026
TV Programme
Twelve productions are competing for the Hamburg Producers Awards “German Television Films” and “German Series”, which are endowed with a total of 35,000 euros. Between comedy, mystery, thriller and drama, this year’s selection focuses on genre diversity and new directorial voices.
23. July 2026
Think Pink
FilmFest Hamburg continues its Deep Dive series with a second edition dedicated to production design and set decoration. On 29 September, acclaimed production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer will appear at KINOPOLIS cinema to discuss their long-standing creative partnership and the making of the cinematic world of Barbie.
21. July 2026
FilmFest Hamburg Welcomes Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache
The acclaimed directing duo behind Intouchables 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.
14. July 2026
First Programme Highlights
FilmFest Hamburg’s new Junior section debuts on 25 September, 4 pm, at CinemaxX Dammtor with Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom. Director Matthew Walker will attend the German premiere in Hamburg. Introducing movies from India and Brazil, two brand-new episodes of Die Pfefferkörner, international guests, school screenings and the Junior Film Workshop, FilmFest Hamburg offers a first look at its new section dedicated to young audiences.
10. July 2026
Rebranding
FilmFest Hamburg is sharpening its visual identity: Hamburg-based brand and design studio Hansen/2, which created the festival’s logo about a decade ago, has now refined its visual language. At the heart of the new look is the bond between film and celebration, the very things that define the festival: cinema, community, local roots, and a global outlook.
25. June 2026
New Cooperation
The international network of FILMFEST HAMBURG INDUSTRY DAYS continues to expand: the Marché du Film in Cannes will become an official partner of the International Film Distribution Summit (IFDS) 2026, taking place in Hamburg from 29 September to 1 October.
23. June 2026
New to the Curatorial Team
The Explorer Konferenz is expanding its curatorial team and further developing its online format, Explorer Impuls. Producers Heejung Oh and Ali Hakim are joining the team. The Explorer Konferenz will take place on October 1, 2026, as part of the FILMFEST HAMBURG INDUSTRY DAYS (September 28 – October 1, 2026), with the theme “Redefining Production”.
15. June 2026
Shape the Future of Cinema
What if attending a festival also meant helping shape the future of cinema? From 29 September to 1 October 2026, FILMFEST HAMBURG, the CICAE (International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas) and Futura Cinema will invite a selected group of European cinemas and cultural professionals to take part in an exclusive innovation programme during the 34th edition of FILMFEST HAMBURG and its INDUSTRY DAYS.
3. June 2026
EWIP – Call for Entries
Film projects can now be submitted for European Work in Progress (EWIP) 2026. The call for entries is open until 14 August 2026. EWIP will take place from 28–30 September 2026 as part of FILMFEST HAMBURG INDUSTRY DAYS. Now in its second year in Hamburg, the programme will showcase up to 25 European fiction, documentary and animated film projects that are nearing completion or currently in post-production.
11. May 2026
FILMFEST HAMBURG JUNIOR
FILMFEST HAMBURG is renaming its children’s film programme: the former MICHEL Children’s and Youth Film Festival will become FILMFEST HAMBURG JUNIOR. Under new leadership, more closely integrated into the main festival and with a renewed focus on young cinema audiences, the section is entering the new festival year with a fresh profile.
22. January 2026
Oscar shortlist
Three films from the FILMFEST HAMBURG 2025 programme have been nominated for the 98th Academy Awards.
13. January 2026
Golden Globes
Double joy in Los Angeles: The Secret Agent was named Best Foreign Language Film, and lead actor Wagner Moura received the award for Best Actor in a Drama.
4. October 2025
Film Meets Heart
During the closing ceremony, hosted by NDR Kultur presenter Julia Westlake, the awards of the 33rd FILMFEST HAMBURG were presented on the evening before the screening of Rental Family by Hikari at the CinemaxX Dammtor.
2. October 2025
Consolation and Imagination for All Generations
Der mit 10.000 Euro dotierte MICHEL-Filmpreis MAJA geht an den Animationsfilm Geschichten aus dem Zaubergarten von David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar und Jean-Claude Rozec.
2. October 2025
First Awards at FILMFEST HAMBURG
At the awards ceremony on October 1, 2025, held at the FILMFEST BAR @CODA CLUB, four Hamburg Producers Awards were presented by Hamburg’s State Councillor for Culture Jana Schiedek.
30. September 2025
FILMFEST HAMBURG reports positive results at the halfway point of the festival
With packed cinemas, strong ticket sales, national and international guests on the red carpet, a first award winner and the start of the FILMFEST HAMBURG INDUSTRY DAYS, FILMFEST HAMBURG looks back on the first five days of the festival and reports positive results at the halfway point.
9. September 2025
Films as Mirrors of Our Time
Stories about fractures, resilience, humor – and time and again the search for connection: FILMFEST HAMBURG invites audiences to ten unifying days in Hamburg’s cinemas. From September 25 to October 4, 2025, Hamburg becomes a city of film.
4. September 2025
Packed expertise
Renowned filmmakers, personalities from politics and the media, as well as Hamburg students, will once again serve as expert juries at FILMFEST HAMBURG this year to decide the winners of a total of eight jury awards.
3. September 2025
EXPLORER KONFERENZ
In times of relentless transformation, this cross-industry conference explores the success factors of leadership and creativity in the digital age – while also addressing the practical applications of AI.
1. September 2025
The Power of Friendship
From 11 to 14 September, the Binnenalster will once again transform into Hamburg’s most beautiful open-air cinema. Four films, four encounters – and one unifying theme: friendship in all its forms.
27. August 2025
Opening And Closing
Philippe Falardeaus Tragikömodie Lovely Day eröffnet am 25. September das diesjährige Festival in Hamburg. Der Abschlussfilm am 4. Oktober ist Rental Family unter der Regie von Hakari. Mit Ein einfacher Unfall und Two Seasons, Two Strangers zeigt FILMFEST HAMBURG die in Cannes mit dem Goldenen Löwen und in Locarno mit dem Goldenen Leoparden ausgezeichneten Filme von Jafar Panahi und Sho Miyake. Außerdem im Programm die Debütfilme Sorry, Baby von Eva Victor und East of Wall – The New West von Kate Beecroft.
26. August 2025
Made In Germany
The FILMFEST HAMBURG INDUSTRY DAYS are presenting the programme of the new event series MADE IN GERMANY. This series addresses current topics of the German film and media industry and invites participants to engage in exchange. The programme includes topics such as financing, storytelling, collaboration with broadcasters, and equal opportunities.
19. August 2025
TV PROGRAMME 2025
The struggle with historical truth, personal fate and the question of justice: Seven television films are competing for the Hamburg Producers Award ‘German Television Films’ at FILMFEST HAMBURG.
5. August 2025
Stories between Reality and Fantasy
From 26 September to 2 October 2025, Studio Kino Hamburg will once again transform into a haven for young film enthusiasts as the MICHEL Kinder und Jugend Filmfest takes place for the 23rd time as part of FILMFEST HAMBURG.
1. August 2025
top speakers
EXPLORER KONFERENZ, as part of the FILMFEST HAMBURG INDUSTRY DAYS, presents its first round of high-profile speakers. Adolescence producer Peter Carlton, Wu-Tang Clan manager Eva Ries, and other leading industry professionals will take the stage on October 2 to explore current developments in artificial intelligence, business models, and cross-industry innovation. The packed program also includes case studies from the film and television industries and is co-curated for the first time by French producer Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine.
29. July 2025
Fatih’s Home Game and a Strong North
Fatih Akin’s Cannes-celebrated film Amrum will celebrate its German premiere in the “Große Freiheit” section at FILMFEST HAMBURG.
4. June 2025
Free cinema ADMISSION
Nach dem großen Erfolg im vergangenen Jahr geht der »Tag des freien Eintritts« bei FILMFEST HAMBURG in die 2. Runde.
20. May 2025
Strengthening Distributors
The ARTHOUSE CINEMA AWARD of the International Association of Art House Cinemas (C.I.C.A.E.) will be endowed with 25,000 euros in the future, an increase of 20,000 euros compared to previous years.
29. April 2025
Filmfest & First Steps
For the first time, FILMFEST HAMBURG is cooperating with FIRST STEPS and inviting selected top talents from the next generation of German filmmakers to this year’s #ATELIER25. Since 2022, FILMFEST HAMBURG has been offering a creative space for dialogue and collaboration in cooperation with La Semaine de la Critique in Cannes, with the aim of broadening and sharpening young filmmakers’ perspectives on the international film world.
11. March 2025
Quantum Leap
FILMFEST HAMBURG is expanding: Starting with the next festival edition from September 25 to October 4, 2025, the renowned industry platform European Work in Progress (EWIP) and the International Film Distribution Summit (IFDS) will be held in the Hanseatic city for the first time. With producer Fabian Massah as the new head of INDUSTRY DAYS, the festival in Hamburg will become one of the most important industry meeting points in the North.
8. December 2024
European Film Awards 2024
The big winner at the European Film Awards ceremony in Lucerne on 7 December was Jacques Audiard’s opulent cinema show Emilia Pérez.
6. December 2024
EUFA 2024
Students from across Europe chose Three Kilometres to The End of the World by Romanian director Emanuel Pârvu to win the European University Film Award (EUFA) 2024. Introduced in 2016, the award, a joint initiative of the European Film Academy and FILMFEST HAMBURG, is presented by university students from across Europe.
23. October 2024
European University Film Award
The European Film Academy and FILMFEST HAMBURG are pleased to announce the nominees for this year’s European University Film Award (EUFA). Five films have been nominated and will be in the running for the prize, which was introduced in 2016 and is awarded by students from Europe. The five nominated films are based on the feature and documentary film selection of the European Film Awards 2024.
1. October 2024
Women’s Power and Warmth
After five days of the festival, FILMFEST HAMBURG draws a positive mid-term conclusion with national and international guests, full cinemas, impressive numbers, the first Douglas Sirk Award winner, and the presentation of the Hamburg Production Awards.
17. September 2024
Explorer Konferenz: Programme 2024
This year’s INDUSTRY DAYS of FILMFEST HAMBURG will kick off with the EXPLORER CONFERENCE on September 30 in the Hanseatic city under the motto “Risk & Reward”. The conference program has now been announced. The 15 speakers include astronaut Dr. Insa Thiele-Eich, who will provide insights into dealing with risks on her journey to the ISS, BAFTA winner Tobi Kyeremateng, who will talk about experimental production structures, and Johanna Koljonen, who will present the current Nostradamus Report 2024.
