Filmfest Düsseldorf

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.