Bamberg Short Film Festival
Bavaria's oldest short film festival with a competition for the Golden Centaur
About Kurzfilmtage Bamberg
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Bavaria's oldest short film festival
Since 1991, the Bamberg Short Film Festival has been a fixture in the German-speaking festival calendar and is Bavaria's oldest short film festival. Organised by Bamberger Kurzfilmtage e.V., it takes place annually at the end of January in the Upper Franconian World Heritage city of Bamberg, located in the state of Bavaria in the independent city of Bamberg.
Competition and Awards
The focus is on the competition, which offers a platform for short films from Germany, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland, South Tyrol, and Luxembourg. Submitted films must be a maximum of 30 minutes long and originate from the two preceding years. At the end of the festival week, prizes are awarded in seven categories: in the sections short feature film, animated film, documentary film, experimental film, and children's film, as well as a regional prize for Franconian films. The winners are decided by the audience, a professional jury, a regional jury, and a youth jury. Six prizes are endowed with 1,000 euros each, and the youth jury prize with 500 euros. The Golden Centaur is awarded in the competition.
Venues
The main venues of the festival are the traditional Odeon Kino and the Kesselhaus am Leinritt. Further programme items take place in the Alten E-Werk and at various locations in the city. Following the cinema week in January, parts of the programme will also be available online.
Programme and Atmosphere
With over 150 films, competition blocks, thematic special programmes, its own children's programme, and retrospective series, the Short Film Festival offers a packed schedule. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Bamberg's old town, it combines cinematic discoveries with the special charm of the UNESCO World Heritage city and attracts several thousand visitors each year.
Kurzfilmtage Bamberg — edition 2026
For its 36th edition, the Bamberg Short Film Festival will once again present a packed programme of over 150 short films from German-speaking countries from January 26 to February 1, 2026. The festival opens on Monday, January 26, at the Kesselhaus am Leinritt. In the competition, feature-length, animated, documentary, experimental, and children's films will compete for prizes in seven categories. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, January 31, at the Odeon Kino. From February 2 to 8, 2026, a portion of the programme will also be available online.
Programme Kurzfilmtage Bamberg 2026
Opening
- Monday, January 26, 2026, 7:00 PM — Festival opening at Kesselhaus am Leinritt
Competition and Special Programmes
- Documentary series: Zeitlupenwende (five documentaries about personal change) and Kult und Geduld (five documentaries)
- Animation and Experimental Film: five Animex blocks
- Children's Programme: eight short films for young audiences
- Franconia Prize: two regional selection blocks (Bassd scho 1 & 2)
- Twelve thematic special programmes, including on football, cats, aging, and crafts, Turkish experimental films, and free retro screenings
Awards Ceremony
- Saturday, January 31, 2026, 8:45 PM — Awards ceremony at Odeon Kino
Online Phase
- February 2–8, 2026 — selected programmes available online
Highlights Kurzfilmtage Bamberg 2026
- Competition for the Golden Centaur in seven categories
- Over 150 short films from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol, and Luxembourg
- Free festival opening at Kesselhaus am Leinritt
- Dedicated children's programme and Franconia regional prize
- Awards ceremony at the traditional Odeon Kino
Prices Kurzfilmtage Bamberg 2026
Practical information — Kurzfilmtage Bamberg
Getting there
Bamberg is located in Upper Franconia and is easily accessible by long-distance train. The venues Odeon Kino and Kesselhaus am Leinritt are located near the city centre and are within walking distance or accessible by city bus.
Tickets
Tickets are available via the festival website, the KinoHeld ticketing system, and the individual programme pages. The opening event is traditionally free.
Contact
Bamberger Kurzfilmtage e.V., Obere Königstraße 15, 96052 Bamberg, Telephone 0951 2097858.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Kurzfilmtage Bamberg al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Kurzfilmtage Bamberg
Odeon Kino / Kesselhaus am Leinritt
Obere Königstraße 15, 96052 Bamberg