Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

The Film Festival of the Northeast

The Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is the largest and most important film festival in the federal state. The main venue is Schwerin, the state capital, where the festival unfolds at the Filmpalast Capitol with its six screens and in other cinemas in the city center. The organizer is Filmland MV gGmbH. The festival focuses on German-language cinema — from major feature film productions to experimental short films — and provides a special stage for films from and about Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Competitions and Awards

The heart of the Filmkunstfest are its competitions for German-language films: a feature film competition, a documentary film competition, a short film competition, and a children's and youth film competition. Several expert juries, a youth jury, and the audience award prizes in the five-figure range. The competitions are accompanied by special series that set thematic focuses and add international accents.

Open Air and Festival Atmosphere

Beyond the cinema halls, the Filmkunstfest shapes the cityscape of Schwerin. Open-air screenings — for example, in the courtyard of the State Museum Schwerin — bring cinema under the open sky. Opening nights, receptions, industry meetings, and concerts make the festival a week where filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinephiles meet in the state capital.

Schwerin as a Festival City

Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with its castle, the Pfaffenteich pond, and the historic old town, provides a unique backdrop for the festival. The Filmkunstfest connects the compact city center with film culture — venues, event locations, and festival meeting points are all within walking distance. For the region, the festival is a cultural fixture and, at the same time, a showcase for the film region of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.