goEast — Festival of Central and Eastern European Film
The most important German-language platform for films from Central and Eastern Europe – 26th edition under the motto (R)evolution!
About goEast Wiesbaden
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The Festival of Central and Eastern European Film
goEast has been the most important German-language film festival for Central and Eastern European cinema since 2001. Organized by the DFF – German Film Institute & Film Museum in Frankfurt am Main, it takes place every year at the end of April in Wiesbaden – with the historic Caligari FilmBühne on the market square as the main venue. goEast sees itself as a bridge between filmmakers, academia, and audiences from the two halves of Europe that were long separated by the Cold War.
26th Edition – Motto "(R)evolution!"
The 26th edition, from April 21 to 27, 2026, focuses on the phenomenon of revolution. In view of the political upheavals and ongoing protest movements in Georgia, Ukraine, Serbia, Bulgaria, or Lithuania, goEast 2026 examines the topic from various perspectives. The motto runs through almost all sections, with the exception of the International Competition and the East-West Talent Lab.
First time under the direction of Rebecca Heiler
2026 marks the beginning of a new era: Rebecca Heiler takes over the festival direction. She succeeds Heleen Gerritsen and brings the festival into its 26th season. The visual identity of the edition comes from Polish filmmaker Zuza Banasińska, who also created the festival trailer.
Portrait of Ada Solomon and Wajda Homage
This year's portrait honors the Romanian producer Ada Solomon, President of the European Film Academy since December 2025 and producer of over 90 films, including Radu Jude's "I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians." In parallel, goEast celebrates the 100th birthday of Andrzej Wajda with classics such as KANAŁ (1957), MAN OF IRON (1981), and DANTON (1982).
A City in Festival Mode
During the festival week, Wiesbaden transforms into a small film republic. Filmmakers from 40 countries are present, followed by discussions and Q&As after each screening. Films are shown in their original language with English subtitles; at the Caligari FilmBühne, they are also available with German subtitles. Accompanying programs – Symposium (curated by Borjana Gaković), East-West Talent Lab, goShorts short film competition, goKids for young audiences – make the festival a dense week.
goEast Wiesbaden — edition 2026
Seven days of concentrated encounters with contemporary cinema from Central and Eastern Europe. In the International Competition, 16 German premieres from 2025 and 2026 compete for the Golden Lily (€10,000), the prize of the state capital Wiesbaden for Best Director, and two FIPRESCI awards. Accompanying events: Symposium on "Cinematic Strategies of Resistance," portrait of Ada Solomon with five selected films, Wajda homage, goShorts short film competition, East-West Talent Lab (April 24–27), and goKids program for young audiences.
Programme goEast Wiesbaden 2026
Competition Section
- 16 German premieres from 2025/2026
- Aktan Arym Kubat — Black Red Yellow
- Giedrė Žickytė — A Goodnight Kiss
- Iga Lis — The Queen and the Smokehouse
- Awards: Golden Lily (€10,000), Prize of the State Capital Wiesbaden for Best Director, 2× FIPRESCI Award
Portrait Ada Solomon
- Child's Pose (Călin Peter Netzer, 2013)
- The Distance Between Me and Me (2018, about Nina Cassian)
- Cold Waves (Alexandru Solomon, 2007)
- Mammalia (Sebastian Mihăilescu, 2023)
- I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians (Radu Jude, 2018)
Homage Andrzej Wajda — 100th Birthday
- KANAŁ (1957)
- MAN OF IRON (1981)
- DANTON (1982)
Symposium — "Cinematic Strategies of Resistance"
- Curated by Borjana Gaković
- Connection between filmmakers and film studies
goShorts — Short Film Competition
- Several short film programs
goKids
- Alexandra Bidian — Schon lange kein Frühling
- Polina Gumiela — Blue Eyes and Colorful My Dress
Archive Screenings
- Sergei Parajanov — Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1964)
- Sergei Parajanov — Colourful Dreams (1974)
East-West Talent Lab
- April 24–27, 2026 — Supporting emerging documentary filmmakers
Highlights goEast Wiesbaden 2026
- First time under the direction of Rebecca Heiler
- 76 films from 40 countries, over 100 events
- Motto: "(R)evolution!"
- Portrait of Romanian producer Ada Solomon (EFA President)
- Special program for the 100th birthday of Andrzej Wajda
- Visual identity by Zuza Banasińska
Prices goEast Wiesbaden 2026
Single tickets, day passes, and festival passes available. Exact prices and advance booking from March 2026 on filmfestival-goeast.de.
Practical information — goEast Wiesbaden
Date 2026
April 21 to 27, 2026.
Venues
Main venue: Caligari FilmBühne, Marktplatz 9, 65183 Wiesbaden. Other screening locations in the city center, including Murnau-Filmtheater (Wiesbaden).
Getting There
By train: ICE/IC to Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof, then bus to the Marktplatz. By car: A66/A3, parking in the Markt underground garage.
Languages
All films in original language with English subtitles; at the Caligari FilmBühne, additionally with German subtitles.
Tickets
Single tickets, day passes, and festival passes available. Program details from March 2026 on filmfestival-goeast.de.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a goEast Wiesbaden al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place goEast Wiesbaden
Caligari FilmBühne und weitere Spielstätten
Caligari FilmBühne, Marktplatz 9, 65183 Wiesbaden