European Media Art Festival (EMAF) 2026
39th Edition of EMAF with the theme An Incomplete Assembly
About EMAF Osnabrück
A Festival with International Renown
The European Media Art Festival, EMAF for short, was founded in 1981 and has since become one of the most important international festivals for media art, experimental film, and new visual forms. It brings together filmmakers, visual artists, theorists, and an interested audience from Europe and overseas. Osnabrück is its home and venue.
Theme 2026: An Incomplete Assembly
The theme An Incomplete Assembly refers to the unfinished nature of any social, artistic, and political gathering. In times of polarized debates, fragile democratic spaces, and identities that are constantly being renegotiated, the motto raises an open question: How do we assemble – and what necessarily remains incomplete? The selected works and discourse formats explore this tension from various perspectives.
Program Strands
EMAF is divided into several program strands: an internationally curated film program of short and feature-length films, a central exhibition at the Kunsthalle Osnabrück featuring installations, sculptures, and immersive works, a performance program, artist talks, workshops, and a conference format for reflecting on current trends in media art.
Venues and Exhibition
The Lagerhalle Osnabrück is the main venue for the film program; cinemas and other spaces will also be used. The central exhibition at the Kunsthalle Osnabrück runs from the start of the festival until May 25, 2026, and can therefore be visited after the five festival days. This allows EMAF to extend its impact into the city community beyond the intensive festival week.
EMAF Osnabrück — edition 2026
The detailed program for 2026 will be published by the European Media Art Festival e.V. in spring. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years: opening with a vernissage and festival kickoff on Wednesday, five days of film program at the Lagerhalle, accompanying exhibition at the Kunsthalle, performances and artist talks at various venues, conference and discourse program.
Programme EMAF Osnabrück 2026
Festival Week – April 22 to 26, 2026
- Opening with welcome, vernissage, and festival kickoff
- Internationally curated film program at the Lagerhalle
- Central exhibition at the Kunsthalle Osnabrück
- Performance program at various venues
- Artist talks and discussions with invited positions
- Workshops on media art and experimental techniques
- Discourse and conference format for reflecting on current trends
Accompanying Exhibition Kunsthalle Osnabrück
- Duration: Festival start until May 25, 2026
- Installations, video works, sculptures, immersive spaces
- Educational formats for school classes and groups
Note
Specific film titles, artist lists, and discourse content will appear on emaf.de.
Highlights EMAF Osnabrück 2026
- 39th edition since its founding in 1981
- Theme 2026: An Incomplete Assembly
- International program of film, installation, and performance
- Accompanying exhibition at the Kunsthalle until May 25
- One of the most important forums for media art worldwide
Prices EMAF Osnabrück 2026
Practical information — EMAF Osnabrück
Dates 2026
- Festival: April 22 to April 26, 2026
- Accompanying exhibition at Kunsthalle Osnabrück: until May 25, 2026
Venues
Lagerhalle Osnabrück, Kunsthalle Osnabrück, and other city center venues, 49074 Osnabrück.
Getting There
By public transport: Bus lines stop in the city center. By car: Parking garages in the city center. Osnabrück main train station is a 15-minute walk away.
Tickets
Specific day tickets and festival passes will be announced by the organizer on emaf.de.
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