The 26th German Films Previews took place in Hanover from June 28 to July 1, 2026, bringing together 57 international buyers from across North and South America, Asia and Europe. The program featured 16 full-length films, 15 upcoming projects and presentations by 13 world sales companies.
From July 3 to 11, 2026, Germany had a strong presence at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, with 22 German productions and co-productions screening across the program, including the world premiere of Nader Saeivar’s HIJAMAT in the main Crystal Globe Competition.
Germany was the country in focus at FIDLab during the 37th FIDMarseille, held from July 7 to 12, 2026, with producers Julia Cöllen, Maximilian Haslberger and Linus Günther presenting their current projects and connecting with international industry professionals.
The 43rd Jerusalem Film Festival, held from July 9 to 19, featured 16 German productions and co-productions, with Kai Stänicke, Angela Schanelec and Sabine Thalau attending in person to present their films. German Films also hosted a reception for filmmakers, festival representatives and international industry professionals.
The 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market set new attendance records, welcomed leading international studios and filmmakers, opened the Cité internationale du cinéma d’animation, and introduced the first European Animation Summit. German animation maintained a strong presence with 13 projects presented at MIFA, awards for CORE DUMP and ECO BEAT, and the selection of the German co-production CONDENADITOS for the Annecy Festival Residency.
SISTERS IN ARMS (DREI KAMERADINNEN), the new drama by Milena Aboyan starring FACE TO FACE WITH GERMAN FILMS ambassador Bayan Layla, celebrated its world premiere at Filmfest Munich on July 2. Based on Shida Bazyar’s acclaimed novel, the film was nominated for the Förderpreis Neues Deutsches Kino and is set to open in German cinemas in November 2026.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted for 28 students as finalists of the 53nd Student Academy Awards® competition, including the two German films in the animation category: THE PANIC INSIDE by Matthias Strasser and SEND NUDES by David Sick.
In our August episode of the SHORT TAKE podcast, we talk with actress and FACE TO FACE ambassador Bayan Layla. Bayan is known for films such as ELAHA and WOVON SOLLEN WIR TRÄUMEN. Her latest film, SISTERS IN ARMS by Milena Aboyan, recently had its world premiere at Filmfest Munich.
Three German productions at Young Horizons Young Horizons Industry (September 28–30, 2026, Warsaw, Poland) is an international co-production forum focusing on films and series aimed at children and young people, as well as a meeting place for film professionals committed to creating audiovisual content for young audiences. It will take place in Warsaw from September 28 to 30. Twenty-one projects for children and young people have been selected from 163 submissions from around the world. Sixteen projects were selected for the development phase, and five for the work-in-progress pitching section. The final selection includes 13 countries (including co-production countries). The following projects from Germany are participating: The animation film SNOW WHITE AND ME (Playwrite D&P, Epsilon Film), the live-action MR. RAVIOLI (Dreamer Joint Venture) and the animation series NATURAL SELECTION Natural Selection (Fabian&Fred).
Rendez-Vous: Registration for Franco-German Film Meeting 2026 The Franco-German Film Meeting returns to the Goethe Institute in Paris and will take place on November 24 and 25, 2026. This industry event brings together around 200 key players from France and Germany, including producers, distributors, screenwriters, broadcasters, funding agencies, and policymakers. Registration is available here. PLEASE NOTE: Early Bird tickets are still available today, July 31.
Call for applications - Key Expert Team Lead “EU Film Festivals (EUFF) Phase III” The Goethe-Institut is seeking a Brussels-based Team Leader for the EU Film Festivals (EUFF) Phase III project, responsible for overall project management, coordination of international experts and liaison with the European Commission, EU Delegations and global partners. The assignment is expected to begin on January 1, 2027, run for 36 months and involve up to 660 working days, with regular international travel potentially required and contracting subject to the project award. Applicants should have relevant university qualifications, fluent English, substantial experience in international cultural relations, project and team leadership, as well as at least three years of professional experience in the European film and festival sector. EU citizens or candidates with a valid EU residence and work permit should submit a tailored CV and proposed daily rate to lena.heidler@goethe.deby August 15, 2026; only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. More information can be found here.
