Name: Filmfest Düsseldorf 2026
Start: 2026-11-25T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-11-26T00:00:00+00:00
Location: HHU Düsseldorf + Filmmuseum Düsseldorf

Filmfest Düsseldorf

About Filmfest Düsseldorf

Filmfest Düsseldorf is one of North Rhine-Westphalia's largest short film festivals and has been organized annually by students of Media and Cultural Studies at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf since 2003. The 24th edition runs from November 25–26, 2026 — the first two evenings at HHU, the third at the Filmmuseum in Düsseldorf's Old Town. Four prizes are awarded, with audience votes for the best short film under 15 min (€750) and over 15 min (€750), Jury Prize (€1,000), and Team Prize (€500). Submission deadline July 31, 2026.

Dates 25 Nov — 26 Nov 2026

Venue Düsseldorf (05111)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Filmfest Düsseldorf — edition 2026

Tickets →

24th International Short Film Festival of HHU Düsseldorf — two evenings at HHU + one evening at the Filmmuseum Old Town. 4 awards incl. audience vote (€750 each), Jury Prize (€1,000), Team Prize (€500). Submission deadline July 31, 2026.

The 2026 edition follows the established three-day format with the HHU campus on days 1–2 and the Filmmuseum on the final day. Film blocks of Drama, Documentary, Animation, and Experimental, plus Q&As with filmmakers and the awards ceremony on the final evening.

Highlights Filmfest Düsseldorf 2026

24th edition of Filmfest Düsseldorf
HHU Campus + Filmmuseum Old Town as venues
Four awards (Audience × 2, Jury, Team)
Student-organized since 2003
Submission deadline July 31, 2026, via FilmFreeway

Programme Filmfest Düsseldorf 2026

Wednesday, November 25, 2026 — Opening at HHU

HHU Düsseldorf, Campus Bilk
Opening film and first thematic blocks (Drama, Animation)
Q&A with filmmakers

Thursday, November 26, 2026 — Day 2 at HHU

Further film blocks (Documentary, Experimental Film, International Entries)
Student pre-program events

Final Day — Filmmuseum Düsseldorf (Old Town)

Filmmuseum, Schulstraße 4
Best-of program and awards ceremony
Four prizes: Audience Under 15 Min (€750), Audience Over 15 Min (€750), Jury Prize (€1,000), Team Prize (€500)

Submissions

Via FilmFreeway until July 31, 2026, 11:59 PM. Film length 3–30 min (excluding credits), max. 5 directorial works per filmmaker, English subtitles mandatory.

Prices Filmfest Düsseldorf 2026

Admission prices to be published in Autumn 2026 (typically €6–€10 per program block, festival passes available). Donations to support the festival are welcome.

Practical information

Practical information — Filmfest Düsseldorf

Getting There

Public Transport: HHU reachable via U71/U72/U73 to "Universität-Ost/Botanischer Garten". Filmmuseum: U70/U74/U75/U76/U77/U79 to "Heinrich-Heine-Allee", then a 5-min walk into the Old Town. By Car: Parking available at HHU or in the Carlsplatz underground garage in the Old Town.

Admission

Day pass or festival pass — rates to be published in Autumn 2026 (typically €6–€10 per program block).

Tip

For Filmmakers: Submit via FilmFreeway by July 31, 2026, 11:59 PM. Donations to support the festival are welcome.

A Student Short Film Festival with History

Filmfest Düsseldorf has been the annual short film highlight at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf since 2003. It is organized entirely by students of Media and Cultural Studies — a tradition that has made the festival one of the largest student-organized film festivals in North Rhine-Westphalia. The 24th edition will take place on November 25 and 26, 2026.

Program and Venues

The three-day festival is divided between two venues:

HHU Düsseldorf — the first two evenings on the campus in Düsseldorf-Bilk
Filmmuseum Düsseldorf — the third evening at the Filmmuseum in the Old Town (Schulstraße 4)

The program consists of thematic blocks — Drama, Documentary, Animation, Experimental Film, International and German entries. Between blocks, Q&A sessions with attending filmmakers take place.

The Prizes

Four prizes will be awarded at the end of the festival:

Audience Award for Best Film Under 15 Minutes — €750
Audience Award for Best Film Over 15 Minutes — €750
Jury Prize — €1,000 (decided by a panel of experts)
Team Prize — €500 for the best film team

Submissions 2026

Filmmakers can submit until July 31, 2026, 11:59 PM. Requirements: Film duration 3–30 minutes (excluding credits), a maximum of five directorial works per filmmaker, production after January 1, 2024, English subtitles, secured rights to all materials, and minimal AI usage. Submissions are made via FilmFreeway.

What Makes the Festival Special?

Unlike purely professionally organized festivals, Filmfest Düsseldorf thrives on its student DNA — the programming leadership changes annually, and the team recruits new members from current HHU students. This freshness is also evident in the selection: a high proportion of newcomer films, experimental formats, less gloss, more daring. The festival has established itself as a springboard for young filmmakers, some of whom have later been shown at Berlinale or Filmfest München.

Kick-off Party and Supporting Program

The festival is looking for 2 hosts, 2 live music acts, and a DJ for the kick-off party in July 2026. The supporting program is also student-driven and blends with Düsseldorf's vibrant independent culture.

State of NRW — Düsseldorf's Film Scene

As the state capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf has a compact but distinctive film scene — with the Art Academy as a contextual backdrop, the Filmmuseum as an institutional anchor, and festivals like this as a platform for the emerging generation. Those interested in current German and European short filmmaking will find a festival with taste and courage here.