European Film Festival Göttingen

Tradition Since 1979

The European Film Festival Göttingen was launched in 1979 and quickly developed into an important platform for European auteur cinema in Southern Lower Saxony. For over four decades, the festival has pursued a consistent programming philosophy: films that receive too little visibility in the commercial distribution chain are presented here to a cinematically interested audience.

Arthouse Cinemas as Venues

The Lumière and Méliès cinemas are the main venues for the festival. Both are among the most dedicated arthouse cinemas in Lower Saxony and stand for a sophisticated, curated film program. The atmosphere of the arthouse cinemas – smaller auditoriums, intimate focus on the film, personal encounters with filmmakers – perfectly matches the festival character and distinguishes the experience from multiplex cinemas.

New German Cinema

A dedicated section is devoted to current German cinema. Under the title New German Cinema, the festival showcases the most exciting new productions of the year, giving German auteur cinema beyond big comedies and mainstream productions the stage it deserves. This section is an important meeting point for both the interested audience and filmmakers and film scholars.

Short Film Competition Mach mal halblang

The short film competition 'Mach mal halblang' (Take it easy) is a special feature of the Göttingen festival. Young filmmakers and students present their short films to an expert jury, which awards prizes and thus opens up career opportunities. The title of the competition winks ironically at the genre of short films and its specific demands.

Film Discussions and Accompanying Program

Accompanying the screenings, there are film discussions – with directors, screenwriters, actors, or film scholars. These encounters deepen the understanding of the films shown and are an essential element of the festival culture, differentiating it from a regular cinema visit.