Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
The grand film festival of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with its main venue in Schwerin
About Filmkunstfest MV
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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.
Filmkunstfest MV — edition 2026
Program of the 35th Edition
The anniversary edition will showcase 118 films — 16 world premieres, 18 German premieres, and 21 productions filmed or funded in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The four competitions for German-language films include feature films (10 films), documentaries (8 films), short films (20 films, main prize €4,000), and the children's and youth film competition (5 entries). A total of 16 awards worth approximately €50,200 will be presented.
Guest Country Iceland and Guest of Honor
The guest country for 2026 is Iceland, which will be represented with its own film program and cultural focus. The guest of honor is Armin Mueller-Stahl: the actor will receive the "Goldener Ochse" (Golden Ox), accompanied by a special series featuring ten of his films. The concert by the Armin Mueller-Stahl Band on May 8th sold out quickly.
Opening and Open Air
The festival will open with the documentary "Garten der Hoffnung" (Garden of Hope) by Dieter Schumann, which portrays community gardening and intercultural friendships in a Schwerin residential area. Open-air screenings will take place in the courtyard of the State Museum Schwerin.
Programme Filmkunstfest MV 2026
Festival Week May 5–10, 2026
- Tue, May 5 — Opening with the documentary "Garten der Hoffnung" by Dieter Schumann
- Fri, May 8 — Awarding of the "Goldener Ochse" to Armin Mueller-Stahl at the Capitol; concert by the Armin Mueller-Stahl Band (sold out)
- Ongoing — four competitions: Feature Film (10 films), Documentary (8 films), Short Film (20 films), Children's and Youth Film (5 entries)
- Special Series — including Iceland as guest country with its own film program, Mueller-Stahl retrospective (10 films), Cinéfête (French youth film festival), Industry Days
- Open-Air Cinema — in the courtyard of the State Museum Schwerin
Venues: Filmpalast Capitol Schwerin and other cinemas in the city center. The complete festival program is available at filmkunstfest.de.
Highlights Filmkunstfest MV 2026
- 118 films with 16 world premieres and 18 German premieres
- Golden Ox award for Armin Mueller-Stahl with a 10-film retrospective
- Guest country Iceland with its own film program and open-air cinema at the State Museum
Prices Filmkunstfest MV 2026
The festival requires tickets. General advance ticket sales start on April 21, 2026, at 3 p.m. via filmkunstfest.de. Individual events — such as the concert by the Armin Mueller-Stahl Band — sell out quickly.
Practical information — Filmkunstfest MV
Getting There
By train to Schwerin Hbf, from there the venues in the city center are within walking distance or reachable by bus/tram. By car via the A14 or A24. The main venue is the Filmpalast Capitol, Wismarsche Straße 126.
Tickets
General advance ticket sales for the 35th edition start on April 21, 2026, at 3 p.m. — tickets via filmkunstfest.de. The festival requires tickets; individual events tend to sell out quickly.
Tip
The festival catalog and festival magazine provide an overview of the program. Those who want to experience the open-air cinema should keep an eye on the weather and pack warm clothing.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Filmkunstfest MV
Filmpalast Capitol Schwerin
Wismarsche Straße 126, 19053 Schwerin