Nordic Film Days Lübeck

A Festival with a Clear Profile

Since its founding in 1956, the Nordic Film Days Lübeck has developed a distinctive profile: it is the only festival in Germany and Europe dedicated exclusively to films from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — making it one of the most important showcases for Scandinavian and Baltic cinema. Since 1971, the festival has been supported by the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, providing it with a level of cultural and political stability rarely found in the German festival landscape.

Lübeck as a Stage for the North

It is no coincidence that Lübeck has become the home port for this festival; the choice has both geographical and historical logic. For centuries, the old Hanseatic city on the Trave River was the gateway to the Baltic Sea region, and cultural ties to Scandinavia are deeply rooted. Today, you can feel this connection as you stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage old town between the venues — from the CineStar Filmpalast Stadthalle on Wahmstraße to the recently added KOLK 17.

Program and Sections

The festival covers the entire spectrum of Nordic filmmaking:

• Feature Film Competition — international premieres and new works by renowned directors
• Documentary Film Competition — socio-political, ecological, and biographical subjects
• Children's and Youth Film Competition — one of the festival's oldest sections
• Short Film and Experimental Program
• Retrospective — curated retrospectives on film history and themes
• NDR Film Prize and a total of eleven awards with prize money of around €67,500

Encounters in Lübeck

Over 500 filmmakers travel here every year — directors, producers, actors, industry representatives. Unlike at the very largest festivals, the atmosphere is intimate: Q&A sessions follow screenings, and in the evenings, people meet in the old town's cafés and restaurants. The audience is also part of it — many screenings sell out, and the school program brings thousands of children into the cinemas.

In the State of Schleswig-Holstein

As the cultural flagship of Schleswig-Holstein, the festival attracts audiences from all over Northern Germany and neighboring Denmark. Those looking to combine their visit can easily reach the Lübeck Bay and the Schlei fjord within a short time. The festival is part of a cultural triad that also includes the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival and the city's Buddenbrooks heritage.