The 28th German Film Fest Madrid, held from June 3 to 7, 2026, presented a diverse selection of German feature and short films, opening with audience award winner THE FROG AND THE WATER and closing with HOME STORIES. Highlights included the NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER programme, a KARLA screening and Q&A with Lydia Geißler, and a special focus on director Mia Maariel Meyer.
The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, held June 12–21, 2026, presented more than 420 films from 125 countries, placing the focus on emerging talent, diverse perspectives, and artificial intelligence. German cinema had a particularly strong competition presence, with THE MISERABLE MOTHER winning Outstanding Artistic Achievement.
From May 6–27, 2026, German Films together with Palace Cinemas supported the German Film Festival in Australia, showcasing contemporary German cinema with highlights including BERLIN HERO, Fatih Akın’s AMRUM and a retrospective, SOUND OF FALLING, and anniversary screenings of DAS BOOT - DIRECTOR'S CUT.
At the 73rd Sydney Film Festival, German cinema was prominently represented, with Ildikó Enyedi presenting SILENT FRIEND and Anwar Hashimi attending with the Sydney Film Prize contender NO GOOD MEN.
Four German productions and 18 minority German co-productions screened at the 25th Transilvania International Film Festival, that took place from 17 to 21 June in Cluj, Romania. TITANIC OCEAN won the Best Director Award.
In June, three FACE TO FACE WITH GERMAN FILMS ambassadors were on tour to present their films and our talent program internationally. Joscha Bongard toured the USA & Canada with his drama BABYSTAR, makeup and SFX artist Lydia Geißler travelled to Madrid to present KARLA by Christina Tournatzés, and documentary director Isa Willinger attended Krakow Film Festival with her latest film NO MERCY.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® has announced the 61 semifinalists of this year’s 53rd edition of the Student Academy Awards®. Five German productions representing three film schools are among the selected films.
Happy anniversary! We’re celebrating the 100th episode of our SHORT TAKE podcast. Since we launched in 2020, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting numerous wonderful filmmakers over the past six years. In our anniversary episode, we spoke with actor, composer, and singer Jonas Nay, who was, by the way, our very first guest on this podcast. In our second episode in July, we spoke with documentary filmmaker and FACE TO FACE ambassador Isa Willinger.
In our next two episodes of the DEEP DIVE TALK podcast, we spoke first with director Marcus Goller, known for 25 KM/H or ONE FOR THE ROAD, about what it was like to shoot his new film, 23,000 LIVES. In the July episode, director Veronika Kaserer talks about her new documentary, SIMONE MESSNER - AUS DEM SCHATTEN and about her quest to tackle taboos. Both their films will be screened at the Filmfest Munich.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Invites Eight German Filmmakers The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 529 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to motion pictures. Among the invited members are eight German filmmakers
Actor Veronica Ferres (THE COMEDIAN, SCHTONK!)
Director of Photography Markus Förderer (SEPTEMBER 5)
Director of Photography Juan Sarmiento (THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB)
Costume Designer Sabrina Krämer (IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN)
Composer Karim Sebastian Elias (CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS)
VFX Supervisor Michael Ralla (SINNERS)
VFX Supervisor Guido Wolter (SINNERS)
Production Designer Simon Weisse (ASTEROID CITY; GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL)
Calls for Submission
DOK Preview Germany: Call for documentary projects: German Films Service + Marketing GmbH and DOK Industry are looking for the most exciting new German documentary projects. DOK Preview Germany is a presentation platform for German productions, newly completed or in their final stages, with an estimated release date in winter/spring 26/27. The teams can present their projects to international buyers, editors, world sales, festivals, curators and distributors. With the project presentation and subsequent opportunity for networking and exchange, we support selected projects for international marketing. Last year, productions such as SIRI HUSTVEDT – DANCE AROUND THE SELF and FINDING CONNECTION, took part before premiering their films at the Berlinale and CPH:DOX. The call is open until September 3, 2026. Find more information on DOK Leipzig’s website.
MIA - Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo in Rome: Calls are officially open for entries to the 2026 edition of MIA | Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo in Rome (October 19-23, 2026). The call is aimed at filmmakers who are currently developing a high-quality project or are nearing completion of an ongoing project with significant international potential. Participants can take part in one of Europe’s most dynamic industry platforms to meet top international producers, financiers, broadcasters, streamers, and sales agents. Find more information here.
Les Arcs Coproduction Village: Les Arcs Industry Village (December 12-15, 2026) is Les Arcs Film Festival’s industry event dedicated to the independent European film industry. It aims to increase the exposure of promising projects from all over Europe, to create a place for networking and support new partnerships. Deadline is July 29, 2026. More information can be found here.
