22. German TV Crime Festival Wiesbaden
22nd Edition – Germany's only TV crime festival honouring Miroslav Nemec and Udo Wachtveitl
About TV Crime Festival
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Germany's only TV Crime Festival
The German TV Crime Festival is unique in Europe: a festival dedicated exclusively to television crime films. The state capital Wiesbaden has hosted the event annually since 2005 – not by chance: Wiesbaden is the seat of the Federal Criminal Police Office and thus the "Federal Capital of Crime Fighting". In 2026, the 22nd edition runs from May 3rd to 10th at the Caligari FilmBühne on the Marktplatz.
22nd Edition – Ten Crime Films in Competition
The main competition in 2026 features 10 TV crime films and 3 crime series, selected by a pre-jury from 70 submissions. Of these, 3 are German or world premieres. The competition opens on Tuesday, May 5th at 6 PM with the Munich "Tatort – Gottesgarten" (BR) starring Rosalie Thomass and Fabian Hinrichs.
Series Competition on May 4th
Newly relevant: the Series Competition. Three series will compete for the title "Crime Series of the Year" on Monday, May 4th: "Schattenseite" (ARD), "Sternstunde der Mörder" (ARD), and "Banksters" (HBO MAX). International streaming competition is thus on equal footing with German public broadcasters for the first time.
Lifetime Achievement Award for the Munich Tatort Commissioners
This year's special honour goes to Miroslav Nemec and Udo Wachtveitl – on the case as Tatort commissioners Batic and Leitmayr since 1991, making them one of Germany's longest-serving TV crime duos. The award celebrates a quarter-century plus of crime history.
Screenplay Competition "Tatort rechtsaußen"
Running alongside the competition showcase is the screenplay competition "Tatort rechtsaußen": screenplays from the Tatort series with themes related to right-wing extremism. The festival thus takes a political stance and restores the genre's societal dimension.
Awards Ceremony May 8th
The awards ceremony on Friday, May 8th, 2026, marks the highlight of the festival week. The main prize is the "German TV Crime Award" for the best production, along with awards for series and screenplays.
TV Crime Festival — edition 2026
Eight days of focused crime film programming at the Caligari FilmBühne. Opening on Tuesday with Tatort, series competition on Monday, with the screenplay award and lifetime achievement award as highlights.
Programme TV Crime Festival 2026
Sunday, May 3, 2026 — Opening Weekend
- Opening evening with a Long Crime Film Night and exhibition
Monday, May 4, 2026 — Series Competition
- 3 series compete for Crime Series of the Year
- "Schattenseite" (ARD)
- "Sternstunde der Mörder" (ARD)
- "Banksters" (HBO MAX)
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 — Competition Opening
- 6:00 PM — "Tatort – Gottesgarten" (BR) with Rosalie Thomass and Fabian Hinrichs
Wednesday–Friday, May 6–7, 2026
- Screenings of further competition crime films
- 3 premieres / 2 German premieres
- Including: "Eierkratz-Komplott" (ORF/ARTE), "Acht" (ORF/ZDF)
- Q&As with directors, screenwriters, and actors
Friday, May 8, 2026 — Awards Ceremony
- Presentation of the German TV Crime Award
- Presentation of the Crime Series Award
- Honouring of Munich Tatort commissioners Miroslav Nemec and Udo Wachtveitl
- Presentation of the "Tatort rechtsaußen" screenplay award
Saturday–Sunday, May 9–10, 2026 — Closing
- Repeat screenings of award-winning films
- "Dream Cinema for Kids" (Children's program)
Accompanying Events
- Long Crime Film Night
- Exhibition in the foyer of the Caligari FilmBühne
- Discussion panels on the genre
Highlights TV Crime Festival 2026
- 22nd edition of Germany's only TV crime festival
- 10 crime films + 3 series in competition
- 3 premieres (2 German premieres)
- Honouring of Miroslav Nemec & Udo Wachtveitl
- "Tatort rechtsaußen" screenplay competition
- Series competition featuring HBO MAX alongside ARD for the first time
Prices TV Crime Festival 2026
Advance sales start April 24th, 2026, 10:30 AM, at Wiesbaden Tourist Information and online at fernsehkrimifestival.de.
Practical information — TV Crime Festival
Date 2026
May 3rd to 10th, 2026, at the Caligari FilmBühne. Opening Tuesday 5/5. Awards ceremony Friday 5/8.
Location
Caligari FilmBühne, Marktplatz 9, 65183 Wiesbaden.
Getting There
By train: Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof, then bus to Marktplatz. By car: A66/A3, parking in the Markt underground garage.
Tickets
Advance sales start April 24th, 2026, 10:30 AM, at the Tourist Information office on the Marktplatz and online at fernsehkrimifestival.de.
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Travel to this festival
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Sponsored link
Where it takes place TV Crime Festival
Caligari FilmBühne
Caligari FilmBühne, Marktplatz 9, 65183 Wiesbaden