About Filmfest Emden-Norderney

The International Film Festival Emden-Norderney is one of Germany's most important film festivals and has been a fixture in the European festival landscape for over three decades. It is held annually in early June simultaneously in the East Frisian port city of Emden and on the North Sea island of Norderney. The 36th edition takes place from June 3rd to 10th, 2026, with a warm-up day on June 2nd. The festival presents international feature films, short films, and documentaries, awards several high-profile film prizes, and is characterized by its focus on European cinema with a special emphasis on works from North-Western Europe.

One of Germany's most important film festivals

Since its founding in 1990, the International Film Festival Emden-Norderney has developed into one of Germany's most significant film festivals. The combination of the East Frisian port city and the North Sea island as a dual venue is unique in the European festival calendar: while screenings take place in Emden at the Forum of the Volkshochschule, in the Nordseehalle, at CineStar Emden, and other venues, Norderney offers its own island program with screenings at the Kurtheater and on the open-air Kurplatz.

Programmatic Focus

The festival presents a diverse program: the competition features both German and international feature films, as well as documentaries and short films. In addition, there are retrospectives, thematic series, film discussions, workshops, and an extensive accompanying program with workshops and discussions. Outstanding films are honored with the Bernhard Wicki Film Prize "Die Brücke – Der Friedenspreis des Deutschen Films" (The Bridge – The Peace Film Award of German Film), the NDR Film Prize, and other awards.

Norderney – Island in the Festival Program

On Norderney, the festival offers its own program of 23 films, presented at the Kurtheater and on the open-air Kurplatz. The island atmosphere, the proximity to the sea, and the special audience make the Norderney venue one of the most charming festival locations in the country. Many filmmakers travel to Norderney for their films and are available for audience discussions there.

International Guests, Regional Audience

The film festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, bringing together international filmmakers and a loyal regular audience from East Frisia, the Bremen region, and all of Northern Germany. Tickets for the festival are usually available through the official festival ticketing system from mid-May.

Filmfest Emden-Norderney — edition 2026

The 36th edition of the International Film Festival Emden-Norderney starts on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with a warm-up and runs until June 10, 2026. The regular festival program begins on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, and spans about a week with screenings in Emden and on Norderney. This year, 23 films will be shown on Norderney at the Kurtheater and on the open-air Kurplatz. Tickets will be available from May 18, 2026.

The program for the 36th edition includes the established sections: International Feature Film Competition, Documentary Film, Short Film, and Children's Film. Additionally, thematic series, retrospectives, and an international special track are offered. The exact film titles will be announced successively in spring 2026 and published on the official website. Discussions with directors, producers, and actors are, as always, a core part of the festival.

Programme Filmfest Emden-Norderney 2026

The detailed 2026 program will be published by the festival office in spring. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years:

02.06.2026 (Tue) – Warm-up with preview screening
03.06.2026 (Wed) – Official festival opening in Emden
03–10.06.2026 – Daily screenings at multiple venues in Emden
Parallel island program Norderney with 23 films (Kurtheater, Open-Air Kurplatz)
Sections: International Competition, Documentary Film, Short Film, Children's Film
Discussions with directors, crew, and cast
Award ceremony for the Bernhard Wicki Film Prize "Die Brücke – Der Friedenspreis des Deutschen Films", the NDR Film Prize, and other awards
10.06.2026 – Awards ceremony and closing

The schedule with film titles, screening times, and venues will be available from May 18, 2026, at filmfest-emden.de.

Highlights Filmfest Emden-Norderney 2026

36th edition of one of Germany's most important film festivals
Two locations: Emden and Norderney island with its own program (23 films)
International competition with world and German premieres
Award ceremony for the Bernhard Wicki Prize "Die Brücke" and the NDR Film Prize
Over 100 screenings, film discussions, and workshops

Prices Filmfest Emden-Norderney 2026

Single tickets from approx. €10. Festival passes and discounts available on the official website. Advance sales start May 18, 2026.

Practical information — Filmfest Emden-Norderney

Date 2026

Warm-up: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Festival: June 3 to 10, 2026

Venues

Emden: Forum VHS, CineStar, Nordseehalle, and other venues
Norderney: Kurtheater and Open-Air Kurplatz

Tickets

Advance ticket sales start May 18, 2026
Day tickets, festival passes, and single tickets available via the official festival website

Travel

Emden: Emden Hauptbahnhof (main train station) (IC/RE trains from Bremen, Hamburg, Hanover)
Norderney: Ferry from Norddeich-Mole

Organizer

Filmfest Emden-Norderney
Website: filmfest-emden.de

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36th International Film Festival Emden-Norderney