| The German Federal Film Fund (FFA) and German Films jointly support German short films and up-and-coming talents from Germany with the initiatives Next Generation and Short Tiger. For the sixth time, Filmfest Dresden served as the perfect host for the premiere of the program NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER 2026 and the ceremony of the German Federal Film Fund's (FFA) Short Tiger Awards. The international premiere in Cannes will be the next highlight, before the films start on their international tour. At the 38th Filmfest Dresden (April 14-19, 2026), the directors and crew members of the selected shorts presented their works and mixed with the festival's industry guests during numerous networking activities. The five films up to 7 minutes length in the program received a German Federal Film Board's (FFA) Short Tiger Award at a ceremony at the Zentralkino. The winning shorts should be particularly suitable for programming as supporting films in cinemas, and the award includes theatrical distribution in Germany. This year's Short Tiger winners are AT LEAST by Olaf Held & Jens Rosemann, BRAVE NEW PAST by Erik Schmitt, FRAGILE by Laurenz Otto & Miri Klischat, GAЇA by Gwenola Heck and RADIX by Anne Breymann. All jury members were present to hand out the awards: director Anna Roller (Face to Face with German Films 2026), Sarah Dombrink (interfilm Berlin) and Andreas Heidenreich (German Association of Municipal and Cultural Cinemas). At the program's premiere on April 18, the audience at the sold-out screening had an opportunity to discover some of Germany's most promising young filmmakers. Next up for the filmmakers and their films is the traditional screening at the Festival des Cannes' Marché du Film on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (6.15pm at Olympia 2). The program will then go on tour around the globe at the Festivals of German Films and other international festivals. More information about the films and directors of this year's NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER program is available here. Industry professionals can screen the films on the Festivalscope Pro and T-Port platforms if they are registered, or they can request a screening link from nextgeneration@german-films.de. The FFA Short Tiger winners can be booked by German cinemas as supporting films through the Kurzfilm Agentur Hamburg. | |
| From April 19 to 23, the TYSKE FILMDAGE presented a wide range of German productions that have made a name for themselves at major international festivals. HELDIN by Petra Volpe opened the German Film Days, followed by films such as WHAT MARIELLE KNOWS by Frédéric Hambalek, MIROIRS No. 3 by Christian Petzold, and PROSECUTION by Faraz Shariat. On Monday, April 20, SILENT FRIEND by Ildikó Enyedi was introduced by a guest—actor Enzo Brumm, one of this year’s talents from FACE TO FACE WITH GERMAN FILM, traveled to Copenhagen to participate in a Q&A session following the screening. The Festival of German Films also screened the techno drama RAVE ON by Nikias Chryssos and Viktor Jakovleski. Viktor traveled to Copenhagen to introduce the film during a Q&A session following the screening. The festival is organized by the Goethe-Institut Denmark, the Grand Teatret, the German Embassy, and Copydan/NabolandsKanalerne. | |
| Three times turning on the charm: in just one month, three countries feted Ildikó Enyedi’s SILENT FRIEND. The film premiered at the 45th Istanbul Film Festival; actor Enzo Brumm, a main cast member and 2026 FACE TO FACE WITH GERMAN FILMS ambassador, travelled to Turkey to present the film and join a Q&A with host Engin Ertan. Earlier in April, Enzo appeared as a special guest at Sofia International Film Festival as part of the German Films FACE TO FACE program. Following the screening, he discussed his experience working on SILENT FRIEND in conversation with SIFF Managing Director Mira Staleva and host Svetlana Damianova. Finally, on April 20, he travelled to Copenhagen, presenting SILENT FRIEND at TYSKE FILMDAGE2026, a collaboration between the Goethe Institute Denmark and Grand Teatret/Camera Film, supported by German Films. It’s exciting to see our FACE TO FACE talent and this quietly powerful film travel the world. Premiering at Venice Film Festival in 2025, SILENT FRIEND explores the bond between humans and trees, gently blurring the boundaries between imagination, nature, and human connection. | |
| This year, German Films was once again present with an umbrella booth at the B2B conference Series Mania Forum, and hosted a reception as well as the dedicated panel FACE TO FACE WITH GERMAN TALENTS: SERIOUS ABOUT SERIES. Over the past five years, the umbrella booth has proven to be a lively meeting point for the German industry. The “German Happy Hour” reception has also become a well-established highlight. Together with Film Commission Bayern and the German regional film funding institutions Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM), and nordmedia – Film- und Mediengesellschaft Niedersachsen/Bremen, German Films invited guests to a Happy Hour get-together to connect with the German series industry; more than 200 guests attended. German Films also presented the Face to Face with German Talents: Serious about series panel on March 25, hosted by Deadline Hollywood’s Jesse Whittock, featuring this year’s participants Bayan Layla, Lotta Kilian, Enzo Brumm, and Joscha Bongard. It offered an excellent opportunity to learn more about our ambassadors and gain insights into the German industry and their upcoming projects. At the SERIES MANIA public festival, the series THE FLAWS (DAS MANKO), produced by Razor Film, was part of the Panorama Competition. Arne Feldhusen received the award for Best Directing (International Panorama, Series Mania 2026). The series IGNITION (Arkanum Pictures) was also selected for the official Co-Production Series Pitch at the Forum. | |
| On March 23, 2026, a pitching event for German films took place at China Film’s headquarters in Beijing, organized by German Films. German international distributors were invited to present their films to decision-makers in the Chinese film industry and to establish contacts for the future. The following companies from Germany accepted the invitation: Epsilon Film, Global Constellation, Studio 100 Film, Sola Media GmbH, and The Playmaker Munich. Forty people represented the Chinese side, including the Vice President and General Manager of China Film Group, the General Manager of Huaxia Film Distribution, and the Director of the Film Import Department of the National Film Administration, China Arthouse Film Alliance, as well as executives and staff from China Film Import Export. As the Chinese film market is undergoing structural change, China Film is seeking new models, new genres, and international cooperation partners, and Germany is at the top of the list due to existing relationships. | |
| A new wave of European producers sweeps into Cannes: at the end of April, European Film Promotion (EFP) and its member organizations announced the 20 producers selected for the 27th edition of PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE, taking place during the Festival de Cannes (12–23 May 2026). German producer Philipp Trauer from BerghausWöbke Filmproduktion represents Germany. The new group of producers who are taking part in the EFP networking program at this year’s festival embraces a strong female presence: Lixi Frank (Austria), Roxanne Sarkozi (Belgium), Constantinos Nikiforou (Cyprus), Dagmar Sedláčková (Czech Republic), Maria Møller Kjeldgaard (Denmark), Marianne Ostrat (Estonia), Daniel Kuitunen (Finland), Julie Billy (France), Philipp Trauer (Germany), Danae Spathara (Greece), Sunna Guðnadóttir (Iceland), Julianne Forde (Ireland), Stefano Centini (Italy), Marion Guth (Luxembourg), Olivia Sophie van Leeuwen (The Netherlands), Ivana Shekutkoska (North Macedonia), Agáta Novinski (Slovak Republic), Xavi Font(Spain), Linda Mutawi (Sweden) and Michela Pini (Switzerland). Through their diverse company-profiles, the 20 producers reflect the breadth and vitality of contemporary European filmmaking, spanning different genres, from drama and comedy to thriller, fantasy, documentary, animation, and coming-of-age. Philipp Trauer is a producer and partner at BerghausWöbke Filmproduktion, a Munich-based company that focuses on feature films for an international audience. Philipp‘s portfolio includes 22 LENGTHS by Mia Maariel Meyer, a huge box office hit in Germany in 2025 and SEPTEMBER 5 by Tim Fehlbaum which premiered at Venice and Telluride in 2024. SEPTEMBER 5 was nominated for an Oscar® and the Golden Globe® and awarded with nine German Film Awards. Trauer is a graduate of the New York Film Academy and the University of Television and Film Munich. | |
| The focus of the next session for the English-language KINO! FILM SALON online film club on May 17th will be the historic family drama SOUND OF FALLING by writer-director Mascha Schilinski, which celebrated its world premiere in the International Competition at Cannes International Film Festival a year ago and took home the prestigious Cannes Jury Award. The film was Germany's Official Entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards and advanced to the final 15 titles-shortlist. Over 40 international film festivals worldwide have featured this extraordinary and exquisite film. Our curator Jim Kolmar's comment on the movie: "Mascha Schilinski's second feature quietly dazzled audiences at Cannes Film Festival 2025, and it's easy to see why. Unfolding over the course of many decades, THE SOUND OF FALLING follows the lives of four adolescent girls growing up in the same house and coming of age at different times. Through their eyes, the film explores how memories, desires, experiences and secrets echo through the generations. THE SOUND OF FALLING is a marvel of cinematic ingenuity, a carefully assembled, non-linear narrative that's almost hypnotic in its intensity. Utilizing stunning imagery, innovative sound design and a truly unique grasp of tone and texture, it's a film that demands discussion and seems destined to resonate for many decades to come. Don’t miss this rich, rewarding film." Special Guest: Screenwriter Louise Peter will introduce and discuss the film. RSVP here Date and time: Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 11:00am – 12:00pm PT, 2:00pm – 3:00pm ET, 8:00pm – 9:00pm CET
Hosted by Jim Kolmar KINO! FILM SALON is a production by Telescope Film, in collaboration with the German Film Office Trailer here | |
| Episode 97 - May 7, 2026:
We talked with Producer on the Move Philipp Trauer and laughed about a shared favorite obsession - research, the joy of a great slice of warm sourdough bread with butter – shout-out to Julius Brantner bakery in Munich, his experience of watching RUST & BONE in Cannes (goosebumps included), a George-Clooney-hair manifestation and the thrill of producing. Episode 98 - May 28, 2026:
It was a joy to talk to actor and FACE TO FACE ambassador Enzo Brumm – about the invisible work of acting (hint: lots of reading) or filmmaking in general, his love for a great steak frites, the beauty of nature (Norway is a favorite) and why a bit more action and less talking might be the way to go. You can find all of the episodes on our website and wherever podcasts are available. SHORT TAKE on Instagram! | |
| April 28, 2026:
We talked to the wonderful Caro Braun about how acting expands your own reality and lets you be a different version of yourself. The inspiration she got from theatre-teacher-father - and of course about her terrific film ROSE (German cinema release: 30.04.2026) and its female perspective, gender and feminism. Plus, the joy of acting opposite five babies, Sandra Hüller, and American Gang signs. You can find all of the episodes on our website and wherever podcasts are available. DEEP DIVE GENRE on Instagram! | |
| KOSCHKA by Bernd Sahling at Zlín International Film Festival for Children and Youth
Zlín International Film Festival for Children and Youth presents the Main Competitions of its 66th Edition, taking part from May 28 to June 3, 2026. The respected German author of films for children and youth, Bernd Sahling, returns to Zlín with his new film KOSCHKA (Germany), which the festival will present as a world premiere in the International Competition of Feature Films in the Children Category. The film, intended for the youngest viewers, works with the motif of caring for animals, through which it naturally opens up themes of friendship and responsibility. Calls for submissions: - #DocsConnect | Conscious Filmmaking Training: Rooted in over 25 years of international documentary industry experience through Taskovski Films, the program supports filmmakers from idea to screen, from development to impact, while placing wellbeing, ethics, and sustainability at the center of the creative process. The invitation goes to all filmmakers and creators, with or without a project, who are looking for guidance, support and a professional environment that prioritizes both creativity and well-being. More information can be found here.
- Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris: The Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris is a one-year program of continuous education funded by the European Union. The training year is aimed primarily at up-and-coming film producers and distributors who have already graduated in a similar field. Prestigious lecturers come from the most varied fields of expertise in the film industry. They include producers and distributors, and also authors, directors and film composers from France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. Deadline is June 1, 2026. More information can be found here.
51. Laceno d’Oro – International Film Festival: Circolo ImmaginAzione for film culture, as part of Laceno d’Oro Film Festival 2026, announces three international contest categories: feature & medium-length films, short films and one category including works by authors from Campania or set in Campania only. The 51st edition will take place on December 5-13, 2025. Registration for the contests is available on the international platform www.filmfreeway.com and on the official festival website www.lacenodoro.it; Deadline is August 31, 2026.
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| German productions and co-productions at San Francisco, Washington, Lisbon, Busan, Cannes, Seattle, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Tribeca, Jeonju, Bejing and Brussels. | |
| Awards for German productions and co-productions at Cinequest, Hong Kong, Istanbul and Miami. | |
| New section starting in 2026: Here you will find links to photo galleries of German Films receptions and other German Films events from this month. | |
| International releases of German films in May 2026 supported by the German Films Distribution Support program: AMRUM in Belgium (Distributor: Lumiere Publishing, World Sales: Beta Cinema, Theatrical Release: May 13, 2026, Grant: 7,000 €)
AMRUM in Norway (Distributor: arthaus, World Sales: Beta Cinema, Theatrical Release: May 08, 2026, Grant: 8,000 €)
AMRUM in Ukraine (Distributor: SVOE KINO, World Sales: Beta Cinema, Theatrical Release: May 21, 2026, Grant: 3,000 €)
ARNIE & BARNEY in Turkey (Distributor: Rodi Medya, World Sales: Studio 100, Theatrical Release: May 05, 2026, Grant: 4,000 €)
ELON MUSK UNVEILED in Czech Republic (Distributor: Atlas Cinema, World Sales: MEDIAWAN RIGHTS, Theatrical Release: May 10, 2026, Grant: 2,000 €)
HEIDI: RESCUE OF THE LYNX in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Distributor: BLITZ F.V.D. d.o.o., World Sales: Studio 100, Theatrical Release: May 14, 2026, Grant: 1,500 €)
HEIDI: RESCUE OF THE LYNX in Bulgaria (Distributor: Pro Films, World Sales: Studio 100, Theatrical Release: May 15, 2026, Grant: 4,000 €)
HEIDI: RESCUE OF THE LYNX in Croatia (Distributor: BLITZ d.o.o., World Sales: Studio 100, Theatrical Release: May 14, 2026, Grant: 5,000 €)
HEIDI: RESCUE OF THE LYNX in Serbia (Distributor: Blitz Film & Video Distribucija,World Sales: Studio 100, Theatrical Release: May 14, 2026, Grant: 2,500 €)
HYSTERIA in Austria (Distributor: Filmladen Filmverlaih, World Sales: Pluto Film, Theatrical Release: May 15, 2026, Grant: 1,500 €)
HYSTERIA in Slovakia (Distributor: Filmtopia, World Sales: Pluto Film, Theatrical Release: May 21, 2026, Grant: 2,000 €)
I UNDERSTAND YOUR DISPLEASURE in Austria (Distributor: Stadtkino Filmverleih, World Sales: Films Boutique, Theatrical Release: May 22, 2026, Grant: 2,500 €)
LEONORA IN THE MORNING LIGHT in Romania (Distributor: Transilvana Films, World Sales: Indiesales, Theatrical Release: May 15, 2026, Grant: 2,000 €)
MIROIRS NO. 3 in Bulgaria (Distributor: Art Fest, World Sales: The Match Factory, Theatrical Release: May 08, 2026, Grant: 3,000 €)
MIROIRS NO. 3 in Denmark (Distributor: Camera Film, World Sales: The Match Factory, Theatrical Release: May 18, 2026, Grant: 6,000 €)
MIROIRS NO. 3 in Ukraine (Distributor: Arthouse Traffic, World Sales: The Match Factory, Theatrical Release: May 07, 2026, Grant: 1,500 €)
RAVE ON in Lithuania (Distributor: Unlimited Media, World Sales: The Playmaker, Theatrical Release: May 29, 2026, Grant: 1,500 €)
SILENT FRIEND in the US (Distributor: 1-2 Special, World Sales: Films Boutique, Theatrical Release: May 08, 2026, Grant: 12,000 €)
THE GIRL FROM KÖLN in the UK, Ireland (Distributor: Vue Lumiere, World Sales: Bankside Films, Theatrical Release: May 01, 2026, Grant: 10,000 €)
THE LAST WHALE SINGER in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Distributor: BLITZ F.V.D. d.o.o., World Sales: Vuelta, Theatrical Release: May 28, 2026, Grant: 1,500 €)
THE LAST WHALE SINGER in Croatia (Distributor: BLITZ d.o.o., World Sales: Vuelta, Theatrical Release: May 28, 2026, Grant: 3,000 €)
THE LAST WHALE SINGER in Greece (Distributor: Rosebud.21, World Sales: Vuelta, Theatrical Release: May 14, 2026, Grant: 4,000 €)
THE LAST WHALE SINGER in Serbia (Distributor: Blitz Film & Video Distribucija, World Sales: Vuelta, Theatrical Release: May 28, 2026, Grant: 1,500 €)
THE LAST WHALE SINGER in Slovenia (Distributor: BLITZ FILM & VIDEO DISTRIBUTION, World Sales: Vuelta, Theatrical Release: May 28, 2026, Grant: 1,500 €)
Please note: Correct at time of going to press. Changes may occur at any time.
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Angela Sonntag (Head of Press & Public Relations) | |
| German Films Service + Marketing GmbH
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