First Barby Children's and Youth Film Festival

Film Premiere for Young Audiences in Salzlandkreis

The first Barby Children's and Youth Film Festival is a premiere in the truest sense of the word: the format is launching for the first time in 2026, supported by Cinema Barby e.V. in cooperation with the Gommern Film Crew. A single day, a single cinema – but a packed program aimed at children, young people, and families.

The centerpiece is the feature film "Die Heiden von Kummerow", a German adaptation of the novel by Ehm Welk – a classic of GDR and post-reunification children's cinema culture. In addition, there will be the best short films from the Gommern Film Crew from the last ten years: The crew is a well-known youth film initiative from the region that has been making films with children and young people for years. Further film titles will be added on the event page.

The organizers have deliberately opted for a duration of 3 PM to 9 PM – compact, but with enough time for films, breaks, and discussions. Cinema Barby is a small arthouse cinema with charm: around 100 seats, well-heated, excellent views, friendly staff. On the following day (May 23), there will be an accompanying event, the "First Barby Citizens' Brunch at the Prinzeßchen" (10:00 AM–1:00 PM) – organized by the local heritage association and the Barby Country Women.

Barby is located in the Salzlandkreis, directly on the Elbe river between Schönebeck and Magdeburg, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The town is small but has its own identity – a good place for a young festival that, with luck, will see its second edition next year.