Film Festival Cologne

Film Festival Cologne — International Industry Hub

The Film Festival Cologne (FFCGN) is one of Germany's largest and most renowned film and television festivals. Founded in 1991 as the Cologne Conference by Grimme-Institut director Lutz Hachmeister, it was renamed to its current title in 2016. It unites the general public (around 30,000 visitors) and industry professionals under one roof. The 36th Edition will take place from October 29 to November 5, 2026 — eight festival days focusing on innovation and international cinema.

Program Between Cinema and Series

The program is divided into several sections: Best of Cinema Fiction presents the year's most important feature films, Best of Cinema Documentary showcases documentary highlights. The LOOK section is dedicated to top-tier series formats, often featuring German premieres. The NRW Competition focuses on productions from North Rhine-Westphalia. Special Screenings with guests, European Series Day, and Stories for Change as industry conferences round off the offering. Historically, the festival has premiered German releases like Twin Peaks (1991), Emergency Room, Sex and the City, and The Office — testament to its significance in TV history.

The Awards — Heart of the Festival

The highlight of each year is the FILM FESTIVAL COLOGNE AWARDS:

• Filmpreis Köln — €25,000, funded by Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and the City of Cologne. Past recipients include Paul Haggis (2007), David Lynch (2010), François Ozon (2012), Jane Campion, Luca Guadagnino
• Filmpreis NRW — Honoring outstanding filmmakers from North Rhine-Westphalia
• The Hollywood Reporter Award — International recognition in collaboration with the renowned industry magazine
• International Actors Award — Outstanding international acting performance
• Phoenix Preis — Award for excellent documentary cinema

Cologne as a Film City

With major TV production sites like WDR, RTL, and VOX, Cologne has been one of Germany's most important film and television cities for decades. Film Festival Cologne leverages this infrastructure — screenings take place in several cinemas and venues across the city, from Koelnmesse to Filmhaus cinemas and arthouse cinemas in the Belgisches and Agnesviertel districts. The young, curious audience shapes the atmosphere — and distinguishes FFCGN from purely industry festivals.

Organized by Film Festival Cologne GmbH

Behind the festival is Film Festival Cologne GmbH, supported by Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, the City of Cologne, and numerous industry partners. The festival takes place in the independent city of Cologne (North Rhine-Westphalia) — one of the most important cultural events in the Rhineland's autumn calendar.