January
International Filmweekend, Würzburg
The International Film Weekend Würzburg shows fiction, documentary and short films over a period of four days from all over the world. The festival offers young, international and unknown filmmakers a platform. The voluntary organization creates a familiar space and shows video productions that otherwise would not have made it onto German screens.
February
Berlinale, Berlin
Since 1951 one of the most important film festivals is held in Berlin. The Berlinale is the one of the three biggest film festivals in the world next to the film festivals of Venice and Cannes. Every February about 400 films are screened in Venues across Berlin. Among the best 20 films of last year, an international jury awards the major prizes, the Silver Bear and the Golden Bear.
April
Lichter Filmfest, Frankfurt am Main
The Lichter Filmfest Frankfurt International takes place in Frankfurt am Main and the surrounding region. Every year, international films and video-artistic projects compete for the best short or feature-length film.
goEast, Rhein-Main region
On seven festival days, Central and Eastern European films will be shown at various locations in the Rhein-Main region. The focus is on dialogue and debate about society and culture in Europe. In addition to films, workshops and panels, as well as many other creative opportunities for interaction take place.
International Short Film Festival, Oberhausen
The International Short Film Festivals Oberhausen is considered the oldest short film festival in the world. Every year at the end of April the festival shows short films and other video productions from many different cultural and social origins. The festival is known for its extensive thematic programmes.
June
Nippon Connection, Frankfurt am Main
The world”s largest festival for Japanese film productions, Nippon Connection, takes place every year in June in Frankfurt am Main. It is mainly organised by the non-profit association Nippon Connection e.V. on a voluntary basis.
October
Eat My Shorts, Hagen
Eat My Shorts – Hagener Kurzfilmfestival, is a festival for short films in Hagen, Germany. On three days in October or November six films under 20 minutes of length and music videos are presented. Also the “Adam-Trophäre” is awarded to the best of those films by a special jury.
November
DokFest, Kassel
Each year, the Kassel Documentary Film and Vidoefest takes place across six days in November. The focus is on documentary and experimental films and regional productions.
Exground Film Festival, Rhein-Main region
The Exground Filmfest, which takes place for almost 9 days in November, shows a huge selection of international short and feature films from all over the world. Special features are the screenings of films that have made it to the world’s big A-list festivals. The selection is brought to the screen in Wiesbaden, Darmstadt and Frankfurt am Main.
Filmschoolfest, Munich
The Filmschoolfest Munich is one of the most important festivals for up-and-coming talents in the film scene worldwide. Film schools from all over the world submit productions competing for highly endowed prizes. Many of the most famous film producers showed there first productions in context of this festival.
Internationales Filmfest, Mannheim-Heidelberg
Across 11 days of November international authors meet at the international film fest Mannheim-Heidelberg. The festival focuses on the discovery and promotion of young talents around the wold. Since 1952 the festival has been a unique platform for political, cultural and social dialogue trough the art of film, which makes it the second most important film festival in Germany after the Berlinale.