Name: Max Ophüls Prize Film Festival 2027
Start: 2027-01-25T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2027-01-31T00:00:00+00:00
Location: CineStar Saarbrücken und weitere Spielstätten

Max Ophüls Prize

About Max Ophüls Prize

For one week in January, Saarbrücken becomes the capital of film: The Max Ophüls Prize Film Festival is the most important festival for young filmmakers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. With over 1,250 submissions, more than 36,000 visitors at the most recent edition, and a program spanning competitions, industry panels, and the festival club Lola's Bistro, the MOP is a must-attend event for the German-speaking film industry. The 48th edition will take place from January 25th to 31st, 2027 – continuing to honor the great film director Max Ophüls.

Dates 25 Jan — 31 Jan 2027

Venue Saarbrücken (10041)

Prices 8.00€ — 120.00€

Status —

Edition 2027

Max Ophüls Prize — edition 2027

Tickets →

The 48th Max Ophüls Prize Film Festival is scheduled for the week of January 25th to 31st, 2027, in Saarbrücken. Competition films and submissions for the supporting program can be submitted until October and September 2026, respectively. Over 36,000 visitors are expected again, along with several competition sections (feature film, documentary, medium-length film, short film) and the usual MOP-Industry program.

As in previous years, CineStar Saarbrücken on St. Johanner Straße will be the central venue. Additionally, films will be shown at Camera Zwo, Filmhaus Saarbrücken, and other locations. The opening film, competition sections, awards ceremony, and industry program are the classic pillars.

Submissions for competition films: July 15th to October 31st, 2026. Submissions for the supporting program: July 15th to September 30th, 2026. The selection committees will meet afterward, and the program announcement will follow in November/December 2026.

Highlights Max Ophüls Prize 2027

48th edition of the most important festival for emerging talent in the DACH region
Main venue CineStar Saarbrücken
Several competition sections with main prizes
MOP-Industry — Industry program for young filmmakers

Programme Max Ophüls Prize 2027

Sunday, January 25, 2027 — Opening

Evening — Opening ceremony at CineStar Saarbrücken with the opening film
Start of MOP-Industry and Lola's Bistro

Monday, January 26 – Friday, January 30, 2027 — Competition

Daytime — Competition films in the feature film, documentary, medium-length film, and short film sections
Evening — Competition films with audience Q&A sessions
MOP-Industry panels and workshops running concurrently
Late Evening — Lola's Bistro as the festival club

Saturday, January 30, 2027 — Awards Ceremony

Grand awards ceremony with all main prizes
Closing party

Sunday, January 31, 2027 — Best-Of Day

Re-screenings of award-winning films and audience favorites
Festival closing

The detailed 2027 program will be published from December 2026 on ffmop.de.

Prices Max Ophüls Prize 2027

Single tickets, day tickets, and festival passes available via the official website. Accreditations for industry guests, journalists, and filmmakers are free or discounted — form available on ffmop.de.

Practical information

Practical information — Max Ophüls Prize

Main Venue

CineStar Saarbrücken, St. Johanner Straße 61, 66111 Saarbrücken — directly on St. Johanner Markt in the city center. Other venues: Filmhaus Saarbrücken (Mainzer Straße 8), Camera Zwo (Futterstraße 5), Theater im Viertel.

Getting There

Saarbrücken Hauptbahnhof (main train station) — ICE/TGV connections to Paris, Frankfurt, Mannheim. A 10-minute walk from the main station to St. Johanner Straße / CineStar.

By Car

The A6 and A8 motorways connect Saarbrücken with the surrounding major regions. Parking garages available at St. Johanner Markt, Schlossplatz, or Bahnhofstraße.

Tickets and Accreditation

Day tickets, festival passes, and single tickets available via the official website and at the box offices of the venues. Industry accreditations for filmmakers, journalists, and industry guests via the accreditation form on ffmop.de.

Accommodation

Hotels in Saarbrücken city center (Hotel La Résidence, Centro Hotel, Best Western, Ibis). Can be fully booked during the festival — reserve well in advance.

Submissions for 2027

Competition films: July 15th to October 31st, 2026. Films for the supporting program: July 15th to September 30th, 2026. Submissions via the festival website. Requirements: Filmmakers from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland; German-language-influenced film.

Accessibility

Most venues are accessible. Hearing aids, audio-described screenings, and subtitles are offered. Information available from the festival office.

Max Ophüls and Saarbrücken's Film Heritage

Max Ophüls (1902–1957), born in Saarbrücken, was one of the most important film directors of the 20th century. Films like 'Lola Montès' and 'Madame de…' made him a legend. In 1980, the city of Saarbrücken named its film festival after him – giving it a clear focus from the outset: young, artistically ambitious films from the German-speaking world.

Most Important Emerging Talent Award in the DACH Region

Today, the MOP is considered the most important stage for young German-speaking filmmakers. Over 1,250 films were submitted for the 47th edition in 2026 – a record number. Selection committees composed of film critics, industry representatives, and festival curators review these submissions and assemble the various competition sections: feature film, documentary, medium-length film, short film. Main prizes are awarded in each category, along with numerous special prizes.

Saarbrücken in January — A City Feverish with Film

For seven days, CineStar Saarbrücken on St. Johanner Straße is the pulsating center of the festival. In addition, films are shown at Camera Zwo, Filmhaus Saarbrücken, and occasionally at Theater im Viertel. The city itself—usually rather tranquil in winter—transforms for a week into a meeting point for the film industry from across the German-speaking world.

MOP-Industry and Lola's Bistro

In addition to the public film program, the MOP has two other important pillars: MOP-Industry is the industry program with workshops, panels, and networking opportunities for young filmmakers. Here, directors meet producers, screenwriters meet funding bodies, newcomers meet experienced industry veterans. Lola's Bistro—named after Ophüls' film character Lola—is the unofficial festival club, transforming night after night into a meeting point for industry professionals and audiences.

Review of the 47th Edition — January 2026

The 47th edition, from January 19th to 25th, 2026, attracted 36,168 cinema visits. The opening film was 'Sie glauben an Engel, Herr Drowak?' by Swiss director Nicolas Steiner, starring Luna Wedler and Karl Markovics. The main prize in the feature film competition went to 'Gropiusstadt Supernova' by Ben Voit. The Ecumenical Jury honored 'Wovon sollen wir träumen' by Milena Aboyan and Constantin Hatz.

Saarbrücken — Hub of German-French Film Culture

The MOP sees itself not only as a German festival but as a cross-border stage. Its proximity to France, close ties to Saarland University, and long-standing partnership with the Saint-Etienne Film Festival make Saarbrücken a natural venue for German-French film discussions. The festival itself operates multilingually: German, English, and French subtitles and translations are standard.