Discover films and engage with filmmakers: FILMFEST HAMBURG is a festival for EYERYONE and THE place to see the films that are shaping the cinematic language of tomorrow and generating great anticipation.
For over 30 years, FILMFEST HAMBURG has drawn from the creative output of the global film scene, presenting a wealth of diverse perspectives and artistic expressions over ten days, across ten sections and on 19 screens. Just as important as the films on screen are the conversations and exchanges that follow – the encounters between filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals. At the FILMFEST HAMBURG INDUSTRY DAYS, accredited professionals can explore the latest trends in the film industry, share knowledge, and network for future projects.
The festival’s instinct for talent and its ongoing support of individual careers is unique within Germany’s festival landscape: directors such as Céline Sciamma, Sean Baker, Xavier Dolan, Yorgos Lanthimos, Mohammad Rasoulof, Magnus von Horn, and Justine Triet appeared at FILMFEST HAMBURG with their first or second feature films – and they are always keen to return to the Hanseatic city with their latest works.
Numerous jury awards are presented at FILMFEST HAMBURG to producers, directors, German distrbutors, and emerging filmmakers. Selected individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the film and television industry are honoured with the festival’s Douglas Sirk Award. The audience chooses the best film of each festival edition, while a children’s jury awards the MAJA prize at the MICHEL Children and Youth Film Festival.
Diverse, accessible, unifying: Since 2024, the 3rd of October has marked the “Free Admission Day”. On this cinema day, FILMFEST HAMBURG invites both long-time cinephiles and first-time filmgoers to celebrate the power of moving images and the collective cinema experience in Hamburg’s theatres – free of charge. Films have the ability not only to move people emotionally and intellectually, but also to foster empathy and contribute to better mutual understanding. This spirit aligns perfectly with the DNA of the port city of Hamburg, which has been welcoming the world for centuries.
