72nd International Short Film Festival Oberhausen 2026

The World's Oldest Short Film Festival

If you're interested in short films, experimental cinema, or the cultural avant-garde of the Ruhr region, the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen is unmissable. Founded in 1954 as "Westdeutsche Kulturfilmtage" (West German Cultural Film Days), it is now considered the oldest short film festival in the world and has made film history: in 1962, 26 young filmmakers signed the famous "Oberhausen Manifesto" here, marking the birth of New German Cinema. From April 28 to May 3, 2026, the 72nd edition will take place at the Lichtburg and other venues in the city — six days of international short film culture right in the heart of the Ruhr region.

"based on true events?" — The 2026 Theme

The main thematic program is dedicated to the question of how reality and fiction relate in film as AI-generated images increasingly penetrate our visual world. The program series spans from early film history to the present day, exploring what "truth" can still mean in moving images. The series will be accompanied by a panel discussion on topics such as AI image generation, humor, class, and TikTok aesthetics.

Five Competitions, 121 Films, 48 Countries

From over 7,600 submissions, the program team selected 121 works for the five competition sections:

• International Competition — The festival's centerpiece
• German Competition — Current productions from Germany
• NRW Competition — Focus on North Rhine-Westphalia
• International Children's and Youth Film Competition
• MuVi Award — German music videos

A total of approx. €45,000 in prize money, 24 awards, and 9 special mentions are at stake. Around 700 accredited guests from almost 70 countries will be present in Oberhausen during the festival week.

Special Programs and Retrospectives

In addition to the competitions, thematic programs and artist profiles shape the festival week. Highlights for 2026:

• "Beyond the Omnibus Film" — unconventional episodic film formats
• "What's Left?" — critical German short films from the 1970s and 80s
• Four artist retrospectives and a rediscovery of Tom Chomont
• Children's and Youth Film — dedicated program for young audiences
• International Music Videos

Lichtburg Filmpalast and Other Venues

The festival center is the Lichtburg Filmpalast on Elsässer Straße — a historic cinema from the 1950s, which, with over 1,000 seats, is one of Germany's largest art-house cinemas. Further screenings will take place at Kino Sunset, Gdanska, and partner locations in Oberhausen. The awards ceremony will be held on May 3, 2026, at the Lichtburg.

This Is Short and Oberhausen on Tour

Selected films will also be accessible outside the festival week via the digital platform "This Is Short". The festival's own distribution program brings new films to global distribution annually — in 2026, 32 new acquisitions were integrated into seven program series. With the series "Oberhausen on Tour", festival programs travel as a global film tour to cinemas, museums, and galleries.

Festival Direction and Remembrance

The 72nd edition is the second edition under the co-direction of Madeleine Bernstorff and Susannah Pollheim. In 2026, the festival will commemorate Hilke Döring, the long-time head of the International Competition since 1995, who passed away on November 27, 2025.

Oberhausen as a Film Capital

Oberhausen may be better known for the Gasometer and CentrO, but in the world of film, the city holds a firm place thanks to the Short Film Festival. During the festival week, the city center transforms into a vibrant cinema cosmos: international directors, industry professionals, film critics, and cinephiles from Germany and abroad meet in cinemas, bars, and discussion forums. Anyone who has experienced the opening gala at the Lichtburg understands why Oberhausen is more than just a festival for the short film scene — it's a place of manifestos and rediscoveries.