German Children's Media Festival Golden Sparrow

Most Important German Children's Media Festival

The Golden Sparrow is the most important festival for German-language children's and youth media. Founded in Gera in 1979, it annually brings together filmmakers, educators, television creators, and families. In 2026, the 34th edition will take place from June 7 to 13 — the first three days in Gera (the festival's birthplace, June 7-9), the second half in Erfurt (June 10-13). The supporting institution is the German Children's Media Center.

2026 Program — Record Submissions

From over 250 submissions — a new record in the festival's history — the jury nominated 37 productions in six categories: Feature Film (Cinema/TV), TV Series/Serial, Short Film, Information/Documentary, Animation, and Interactive & Digital Storytelling. A central jury of children (KinderJury) makes the main decisions — the Golden Sparrow itself is a gilded bronze figure awarded annually to the most popular productions.

Pop-up Media Workshops in Gera

In Gera, three days of pop-up media workshops with robotics, stop-motion animation, virtual reality, and game development offer interactive experiences for children and school classes. In addition, there are film screenings, discussions with media creators, and the Talent Lab for young aspiring filmmakers. A special series "AfterWork im Kino" is aimed at media educators.

Industry Forum Erfurt

In Erfurt, the focus shifts: the Industry Forum serves as an industry meeting for television creators, producers, and broadcasters, complemented by the awards gala. Main partners include MDR, ZDF, RTL Media Group, and regional media institutions — the Golden Sparrow has been considered the most important networking event in the German-speaking children's media scene for years.

Gera and Erfurt — Two Thuringian Cultural Pillars

The combination of festival cities is programmatic: Gera in the Greiz district represents rootedness in East Thuringia and educational heritage; Erfurt, as the state capital, signifies national visibility and the industry. Both cities are connected by the ICE high-speed train line within an hour, facilitating the transition between the festival halves.