| This years Festival del Cinema Tedesco, organized by German Films in cooperation with the German Embassy, Goethe Institute and Villa Massimo took place from March 19 – 22 at Cinema Quattro Fontane in Rome. It opened festively with GAVAGAI by Ulrich Köhler in the presence of actress Maren Eggert. The screening enjoyed great public interest, followed by a Q&A session and a cocktail reception. As in previous years the NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER short film program was also introduced to the Italian press and audience. As the program’s ambassador we had the pleasure of welcoming Shadab Shayegan in Rome when she presented her film PEAR GARDEN. The festival closed on March 22 with a screening of THE GOOD SISTER in the presence of Sarah Miro Fischer. The film, presented as a preview in collaboration with the Italian distributor Lucky Red, was honored with the Audience Award. Other highlights in the program included the Villa Massimo focus on Stefan Panhans and Andrea Winkler, as well as screenings of RAIN FELL ON THE NOTHING NEW and INTERIOR with lively Q&As with the directors as well as crew members of both films. Full line-up:
GAVAGAI by Ulrich Köhler
RAIN FELL ON THE NOTHING NEW by Steffen Goldkamp
SHORT SUMMER by Nastia Korkia
COTTON QUEEN by Suzannah Mirghani
THE GOOD SISTER by Sarah Miro Fischer
INTERIOR by Pascal Schuh
THE FROG AND THE WATER by Thomas Stuber
I WANT IT ALL. HILDEGARD KNEF by Luzia Schmid
NO MERCY by Isa Willinger
ACTIVE VOCABULARY by Yulia Lokshina
PERFORMO PERFORMI PERFORMA! by Stefan Panhans & Andrea Winkler (Focus Villa Massimo)
NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER 2025 by various directors This year, for the first time, we also hosted a masterclass taught by Steffen Goldkamp and Tom Otte in collaboration with the German Embassy and the Rome University of Fine Arts. | |
| The 23rd edition of the Sofia Meetings took place from March 18 to 22, 2026, as part of Sofia International Film Festival. German Films once again co-hosted the opening dinner together with MBB, Connecting Cottbus, and the Film Festival Cottbus.
Several German (co-)productions were featured in the official program. Among the projects in the “First, Second and Third Projects” section were the majority German co-productions HEAVY LIGHT by Stefan Koutzev and HER STORY by Florian Hoffmeister. In the “Works in Progress” category, DEAR FUTURE SELF by Ella Cieslinski was also featured. In the TV sector, the project EXIT QUEEN – TRUE STORY OF RUJA IGNATOVA was presented. Alongside the main program, there were numerous events such as industry screenings, talks, workshops, and panels.
Sofia International Film Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. Several German films were also featured in the program, including SILENT FRIEND by Ildikó Enyedi. Our FACE TO FACE ambassador Enzo Brumm was on site and personally introduced the film to the Bulgarian audience. | |
| The European animation industry celebrated its latest achievements at Cartoon Movie, the pitching and co-production forum for European animated films, whose 28th edition took place in Bordeaux from March 3 to 5. The Cartoon Tributes, selected by a vote of industry professionals in attendance, honored companies and individuals whose work over the past year has made a significant impact on the European animation industry. Two German filmmakers were arwarded prizes. The Director of the Year award was presented to Reza Memari for THE LAST WHALE SINGER, his second feature after RICHARD THE STORK. An animated fantasy for family audiences, the film follows Vincent, the orphaned son of the last Whale Singer, who must overcome his fears and discover his own voice to help save the oceans. Presented at Cartoon Movie at different stages - from concept in 2018 to development in 2020 and production in 2025 - Memari’s new work is a co-production between Germany, the Czech Republic and Canada and has already been sold in more than 30 international territories. The winner of the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award at Cartoon Movie has been given to ACORNS'S ADVENTURE by Filip Mašek
produced by Pure Shore (CZ) in coproduction with Fabian&Fred (DE), represented by Fabian Driehorst. The jury highly appreciated the originality of this film’s storytelling, inspired by the director’s experience working with children and their curiosity about the natural world. The jury loved the joyful humor and fantasy of this project as well as its innovative animation production technique which brings its unique handmade characters to life. | |
| The 98th Academy Awards Ceremony was held in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026. There were several German co-productions and German filmmakers nominated. Among them were the two German co-productions SENTIMENTAL VALUE and THE SECRET AGENT which received several Oscar® nominations - including "Best Picture" and "International Feature Film" (Norway and Brazil). SENTIMENTAL VALUE, co-produced by Komplizen Film, received a total of 9 nominations. THE SECRET AGENT, co-produced by One Two Films, received a total of 4 nominations. In the category "Documentary Feature Film", there were another two films nominated with German participation: MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN, co-produced by ZDF and ARTE, as well as CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS, co-produced by Inselfilm.
THE LOST BUS received an Oscar nomination in the "Visual Effects" category, with Charlie Noble, David Zaretti, Russell Bowen, and Brandon K. McLaughlin among the nominees. The German company RISE FX is one of a total of eight international VFX companies involved in the visual effects for this film.
The German VFX supervisors Michael Ralla and Guido Wolters were also nominated in this category for their work on the film SINNERS which received a record-breaking total of 16 nominations. All German nominees were honored on Saturday, the day before the Oscar® ceremony, at the Pre-Oscar® reception hosted by Villa Aurora & Thomas Mann House. The reception took place at the Wende Museum in Culver City as the Villa Aurora is still recovering from the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, which occured in January 2025. German Films and Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg were co-hosts together with Villa Aurora & Thomas Mann House and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Los Angeles. At the awards ceremony on March 15, two of the German nominees were honored with the prestigious Oscars®: SENTIMENTAL VALUE won the Academy Award® in the “International Feature Film” category, and MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN won the Academy Award® in the Documentary Feature Film category. Congratulations to Komplizen Film and ZDF/ARTE, as well as to the entire teams. | |
| From 17 to 20 March 2026, German World Sales appeared at the EUROPE! Hub at FILMART in Hong Kong. EFP worked closely with German Films in the run-up to FILMART to provide a beautiful and eye-catching European presence between the Asian pavilions in Hong Kong. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), successfully concluded in March 2026. The 2026 edition showcased a wide variety of cross-regional, cross-media and cross-industry content by over 790 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions. The market gathered about 8,000 industry practitioners from 53 countries and regions, highlighting the growing international presence that connects global industry players. Participants engaged in key sectors such as film and television production, distribution, sales representation, service provision, and investment, thereby enhancing opportunities for cross-border collaboration and strategic partnerships. Participating German world sales companies were Beta Cinema, Beta Film, Epsilon Film, Magnetfilm, Picture Tree International, The Playmaker, Sola Media and Studio 100 Film. | |
| The focus of the next session for the English-language KINO! FILM SALON online film club on April 12 will be the black comedy PEACOCK by Bernhard Wenger featuring German actor Albrecht Schuch (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATZ, SYSTEM CRASHER, BAD BANKS). The film was Austria's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Our curator Jim Kolmar's comment on the movie: "From the opening moments set on a curiously dystopian golf course, Bernhard Wenger's eccentric debut feature makes it clear that we're in uncanny territory. PEACOCK centers around Matthias (Albrecht Schuch), a thoughtful young man hired to serve as a friend/companion to a series of clients seeking connection and meaning in a dispassionate world. Matthias takes his work seriously but soon finds it intruding on his 'real' life, where time for himself and deep relationships are worryingly compromised. Inspired by Japan's "rent-a-friend" industry, PEACOCK is an engaging, provocative film, a razor-sharp satire and absurdist comedy that proves to be soulful, emotionally intelligent and very much a film for these times. Fans of Yorgos Lanthimos and Luis Buñuel will find plenty to admire in PEACOCK, but it's very much its own beast. Don't miss this singular gem"! Special Guest: Director Bernhard Wenger will introduce and discuss the film. RSVP here Date and time: Sunday, April 12, 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 95 - April 16, 2026:
For writer-director Anna Roller rehearsing is the best part of filmmaking. We talk about her current obsession with book binding, citron aubergine (aka lemon eggplant) and speculative design as a way to shape the future. And on top she gave us two great recommendations. Episode 96 - April 16, 2026:
Joscha Bongard wears many director-hats – from short film to documentary and now his feature film debut, he's done it all. And in between he relaxes while listening to podcasts on walks, enjoys a good steak tartare with frites, deep late-night talks with friends - and his breakfast YouTube-watch is definitely unique and unusual, but also fun. You can find all of the episodes on our website and wherever podcasts are available. SHORT TAKE on Instagram! | |
| Episode 5 - April 7, 2026:
Crazy turn-around deadlines? Not unusual in filmmaker, animator and illustrator Raman Djafari's working life. We had a very interesting talk with the multi-hyphenate in our latest Deep Dive Genre episode. About his creative process, how to resist the allure of beautiful opportunities, the joy of writing his own film - and the inherent magic of animation.
Episode 6 - April 21, 2026:
We had a fun and interesting conversation with storyboarder and 3D-Layout artist Maike Ramke-Lassahn about her creative process. How time-consuming and intense the work is, the changes in the animation industry due to AI - and her love for Walter Moers’ novel Rumo (and hope for a possible animated adaptation – we're putting it out there, universe!). You can find all of the episodes on our website and wherever podcasts are available. DEEP DIVE GENRE on Instagram! | |
| Calls for submissions: - TIFF: The Market - NEW Creators’ Lab: TIFF: The Market is happening from September 10–16, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. Emerging directors, writers, and more from all over the world can access professional development workshops, receive tailored mentorship to refine their craft, and project guidance from internationally acclaimed industry professionals. All programs (Directors’ Lab, Writers’ Lab, Sloan Science & Technology Writers’ Fellowship, Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch) are accepting applications until April 9, 2026. More information can be found here.
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| Awards for German productions and co-productions at Slamdance, Thessaloniki and Sagueney. | |
| 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 April 2026 supported by the German Films Distribution Support program: AMRUM in Serbia (Distributor: MCF MegaCom film, World Sales: Beta Cinema, Theatrical Release: April 9, 2026, Grant: 3,000 €)
ELLI AND THE GHOSTLY GHOST TRAIN in Greece Distributor: Rosebud.21, World Sales: Pink Parrot, Theatrical Release: April 15, 2026, Grant: 6,000 €)
AMRUM in Spain (Distributor: A Contracorriente Films, World Sales: Beta Cinema, Theatrical Release: April 24, 2026, Loan: 21,250 €)
Please note: Correct at time of going to press. Changes may occur at any time.
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| Contact:
Angela Sonntag (Head of Press & Public Relations) | |
| German Films Service + Marketing GmbH
Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße 16
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Fax +49-89-59 97 87-30 | |
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