Hamburg Short Film Festival
42nd edition of Germany's most important short film festival
About KFFH
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Four Decades of Short Film in Hamburg
Since 1985, the Hamburg Short Film Festival has been one of the most important meeting points for the short film world. What began as a small festival in the Hanseatic city is now one of Europe's leading industry events: filmmakers, programmers, festival delegates, and film students come from over 60 countries to Hamburg to think, show, and discuss short films for six days.
Three Competitions with Their Own Profile
The festival offers three clearly structured competitions:
- The International Competition presents 36 hand-picked films from around the world – mostly animated, experimental, and feature films between 5 and 30 minutes.
- The German Competition shows 25 outstanding German short films – a cross-section of current productions.
- The Triple Axel Competition is a Hamburg specialty: 23 films, each under three minutes. Compact, precise, often surprisingly pointed.
Curated Programs Beyond the Competitions
In addition to the competitions, the festival excites with special programs such as the feminist focus "Laboratory of the Present" (five curated programs), the "Archive of the Present" (South American resistance, AIDS archives), and the "Voices" section (Kosovo, Iran, civil rights). Furthermore, there are industry panels, receptions, and the young sister festival Mo&Friese for ages 4 to 18.
Motto 2026: "Listening"
The 42nd edition is under the motto "Listening" – a conscious counter-proposal to hyper-accelerated media consumption and cancel culture. The festival creates space for questions, empathy, and slower perception – values that are already inherent in short film practice.
Festival Center and Venues
The main venue is the Festival Center Post at Kaltenkircher Platz in Ottensen-Altona – a former post office building that is transformed into an industry hub during the festival. Screenings are spread across several Hamburg cinemas: B-Movie, Metropolis, 3001-Kino, Lichtmess, and others. A map of the venues is available on the festival website.
KFFH — edition 2026
From June 2 to 7, 2026, the 42nd edition of the Hamburg Short Film Festival will take place. The motto "Listening" runs through all program sections and is intended as a plea for slower, more empathetic media consumption.
Over 300 films from more than 60 countries will be shown in several Hamburg cinemas and at the Festival Center Post am Kaltenkircher Platz. Tickets are available via ticketing.shortfilm.com, advance sales are ongoing.
Programme KFFH 2026
Competitions
- International Competition: 36 films from around the world
- German Competition: 25 contemporary German short films
- Triple Axel: 23 films under 3 minutes
Curated Programs
- Laboratory of the Present – Focus Feminism (5 curated programs)
- Archive of the Present – South American resistance, AIDS archives
- Voices – Kosovo, Iran, civil rights
Special Events
- May 20, 2026 – Short in Turtur (Club event on the eve)
- June 4, 2026 – Film School Day with workshops
- June 2-7, 2026 – Panels, industry meetings, exhibitions
- Parallel: Mo&Friese – Young Hamburg Short Film Festival for ages 4-18
Venues
Festival Center Post am Kaltenkircher Platz (Ottensen-Altona); Cinemas B-Movie, Metropolis, 3001-Kino, Lichtmess. Map of venues at festival.shortfilm.com.
Highlights KFFH 2026
Motto "Listening" with three competitions (International, German, Triple Axel). Film School Day with industry workshops. "Short in Turtur" as a club event on the eve of May 20. Parallel festival Mo&Friese for young audiences.
Prices KFFH 2026
Single tickets from approx. 9 Euros. Festival and section passes available. Tickets via ticketing.shortfilm.com. Discounts for students, film schools, and accredited attendees.
Practical information — KFFH
Getting to the Festival Center
Take the S-Bahn lines S1, S2, S3, or S5 to Altona or Bahrenfeld, then a 10-minute walk to Kaltenkircher Platz. Bus lines 1, 2, 15 have stops nearby.
Tickets
Ticket shop at ticketing.shortfilm.com. Single tickets from approx. 9 Euros, festival passes for film series available. Program booklet available in German.
Film School Day
On June 4, 2026, workshops and panels will be held specifically for film students – registration via the festival website.
Language
Films are shown in their original language with English subtitles; selected programs additionally with German translation.
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Where it takes place KFFH
Festivalzentrum Post am Kaltenkircher Platz und mehrere Hamburger Kinos
Friedensallee 7, 22765 Hamburg
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KFFH at a glance
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