INTERFILM – International Short Film Festival Berlin
The oldest and largest short film festival in Berlin with Oscar qualification
About INTERFILM
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Berlin's Oldest Short Film Festival
INTERFILM was founded in 1982 in Kreuzberg – at the time, a small festival for an off-film scene looking for ways to make short film formats visible beyond the cinema market. Over more than four decades, it has grown into one of the largest short film festivals in Europe. Today, Interfilm has its festival office at Straßburger Straße 55 in Prenzlauer Berg (Pankow district), but during the festival, it uses numerous cinemas throughout the city – a 'citywide' format that does justice to Berlin's dense cinema landscape.
350 Films from 120 Countries
The 42nd edition will showcase around 350 short films from approximately 120 countries, curated into over 60 programs and events. The eight-person curatorial team makes its decisions collaboratively and values diversity of voices: post-colonial perspectives, social justice, environmental issues, and artistic freedom are the thematic threads that have shaped the program for years. The five competitions award a total of €35,000 in prize money – Interfilm is an Academy Award-Qualifying festival, meaning a prize here counts towards Oscar nominations.
20,000 Spectators and a Parallel Sibling Festival
With an expected 20,000 visitors, Interfilm is one of the most attended short film festivals in Europe. The young sibling festival Kuki – Young Short Film Festival Berlin – runs in parallel, with age-appropriate programs for children and adolescents, also organized by the Interfilm Berlin festival office. Together, the two festivals cover the entire age spectrum.
Venues and Program Structure
During the festival week, Interfilm traditionally uses several Berlin cinemas – including Babylon Mitte, City Kino Wedding, Volksbühne Roter Salon, and other venues. The parallel use of multiple venues allows for several thematic program blocks to be seen one after another in a single day. The competition programs (International, Documentary, Confrontations, German Competition, Eject Awards) form the core; they are complemented by retrospective programs, country focuses, and late-night special formats.
INTERFILM — edition 2026
The 42nd edition continues the established festival format that has defined Interfilm for decades: parallel use of several Berlin cinemas, five competition programs, complemented by retrospective, thematic, and country-focused programs. The eight-person curatorial team selects from thousands of international submissions each year a program that is put up for discussion in five competitions (International, Documentary, Confrontations, German, Eject Awards).
Those planning to attend the festival in 2026 should browse the program on interfilm.de once it is published in the autumn and select specific program blocks – a complete festival visit over six days is a marathon even for experienced attendees. The competition programs usually run in the late afternoon and evening, while retrospective and special programs are spread throughout the day.
Programme INTERFILM 2026
Competitions 2026
- International Competition – the central international competition featuring the year's award-winning short films
- Documentary Competition – documentary short formats
- Confrontations – films with a clear political or socio-critical stance
- German Competition – German short film productions
- Eject Awards – late-night competition with experimental and genre formats
Extended Programs (Typical Structure)
- Retrospective Programs focusing on film history or individual filmmakers
- Country Focuses – change annually, with curated program blocks from a geographical region
- Special Screenings with film discussions and Q&As
- Industry Events for the film industry (pitches, networking)
Venues 2026 (Typical Structure)
- Several Berlin cinemas in different districts – the exact venues will be published on interfilm.de for each screening in the autumn. Based on experience: Babylon Mitte, City Kino Wedding, Volksbühne Roter Salon, and others.
Full program, trailers, and tickets at interfilm.de/interfilm-festival-2026.
Highlights INTERFILM 2026
Prices INTERFILM 2026
Practical information — INTERFILM
Getting There
Festival Office: U-Bahn U2 to Senefelderplatz, five minutes on foot. Venues throughout the city – tickets and addresses will be published on interfilm.de for each screening.
Admission
Single tickets per screening via the respective cinemas or the festival's online ticketing. Festival passes (multi-screening tickets) available on interfilm.de with an early bird discount. Specific rates for 2026 will be published in the autumn.
Tip for Newcomers
First-time visitors to the festival should start with the international competition program – the program blocks are curated with a balanced selection, last 90–120 minutes, and provide a good overview of the festival's breadth. Afterwards, decide based on your interests.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a INTERFILM al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place INTERFILM
Citywide – mehrere Berliner Kinos; Festivalbüro Prenzlauer Berg
Straßburger Straße 55, 10405 Berlin