Name: Filmfest Schleswig-Holstein 2026
Start: 2026-03-17T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-22T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Kino in der Pumpe und STUDIO Filmtheater

Filmfest SH

About Filmfest SH

The Filmfest Schleswig-Holstein is the film festival of Germany's northernmost state and takes place every year in March in Kiel. The 30th anniversary edition in 2026 will feature over 60 films – short, medium, and feature films – with a clear regional focus from Schleswig-Holstein and Northern Germany. For the anniversary, the Kurt Denzer Award for the best documentary will be presented for the first time, and a new category, "Student Films," will be introduced. Venues are Kino in der Pumpe and STUDIO Filmtheater. Organizers: Filmkultur Schleswig-Holstein together with Kino in der Pumpe.

Dates 17 Mar — 22 Mar 2026

Venue Kiel (01002)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Filmfest SH — edition 2026

Tickets →

From March 17 to 22, 2026, the 30th anniversary edition of Filmfest Schleswig-Holstein takes place in Kiel. Over 60 films at Kino in der Pumpe and STUDIO Filmtheater, new Kurt Denzer Award for best documentary, new Student Films category, awards ceremony on March 21st at 10:30 PM.

The 30th edition of Filmfest Schleswig-Holstein will be held from March 17 to 22, 2026, in Kiel. Six festival days, more than 60 films – feature, medium, and short films – from and about Schleswig-Holstein and North German filmmaking. Venues are Kino in der Pumpe and STUDIO Filmtheater in Kiel. Introduced for the anniversary: the Kurt Denzer Award for the best documentary and the new "Student Films" program section for student productions from Schleswig-Holstein and Northern Germany.

The awards ceremony and closing gala will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, starting at 10:30 PM. Prior to that, film talks, workshops, an exhibition of time-based media art, and the film lounge at Kino in der Pumpe.

Highlights Filmfest SH 2026

30th anniversary edition with the first Kurt Denzer Award for documentary and the new Student Films category – over 60 films from Schleswig-Holstein and Northern Germany.

Programme Filmfest SH 2026

Program March 17–22, 2026

Tuesday, March 17 — Festival opening, first film screenings
Wednesday, March 18 – Friday, March 20 — Main program: feature, medium, and short films, BLICKFANG, workshops
Saturday, March 21:
- Final film screenings
- 10:30 PM — Awards Ceremony and Closing Gala with Kurt Denzer Award (first time) and Student Films award
Sunday, March 22 — Award winners' screenings and festival wrap-up

Program Sections

Feature Film Competition
Medium-Length Film Competition
Short Film Competition
BLICKFANG — International Experimental Films
Student Films — NEW 2026, student productions
Out-of-Competition Screenings

Tickets and program at filmfest-sh.de.

Prices Filmfest SH 2026

Single tickets and festival passes via filmfest-sh.de and Kino in der Pumpe.

Practical information

Practical information — Filmfest SH

Getting There

By train to Kiel Hauptbahnhof, Kino in der Pumpe is a 10-minute walk. By car via the A210 or B76. Parking garages in the city center.

Tickets

Single tickets and festival passes available via Kino in der Pumpe and filmfest-sh.de.

Festival Dates

March 17–22, 2026 (Awards ceremony on March 21st at 10:30 PM).

Kiel — State Capital and Film City

Kiel is the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein with around 250,000 inhabitants and the political, economic, and cultural center of the state. With the Christian Albrecht University, the Kiel Theatre, and an active independent culture scene, the city has been a hub for North German art and film production for decades. The Filmfest Schleswig-Holstein was founded in 1993 under the name "Augenweide" as a platform for regional filmmakers.

30th Anniversary with Expansions

In 2026, the Filmfest celebrates its 30th edition. Two important expansions will be introduced for the anniversary:

Kurt Denzer Award – newly awarded prize for the best documentary, named after filmmaker Kurt Denzer from Kiel
Student Films – new category for student productions from Schleswig-Holstein and Northern Germany

Existing program sections include: Feature, Medium-length, and Short Films, BLICKFANG (international experimental films), and Out-of-Competition screenings. The focus is on "strong voices with a clear regional signature" – films from or about Schleswig-Holstein, with a special emphasis on new filmmakers.

What You'll Experience

Over 60 films over six festival days
Short, medium, and feature films
BLICKFANG: international experimental films
Film talks and Q&As with directors
Workshops for filmmakers
Film lounge at Kino in der Pumpe for informal exchange
Exhibition of time-based media art
Awards ceremony on March 21st with closing gala

A Festival That Showcases the Region

Compared to commercial film festivals like the Berlinale, the Filmfest Schleswig-Holstein deliberately focuses on regionality and support. It is a festival for filmmakers who work in Schleswig-Holstein or tell stories about the region – and for an audience that wants to see and discuss these stories. With the 2026 anniversary, the festival underscores its position as a central meeting point for the North German film scene.