Name: ZWICKL Schwandorf Documentary Film Days 2026
Start: 2026-11-19T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-11-22T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Kulturkeller / Metropol Schwandorf

ZWICKL

About ZWICKL

The ZWICKL.dokumentarfilmfestival draws visitors every autumn to the Upper Palatinate district town of Schwandorf, away from the metropolises. For four days, it showcases old and new documentary films in the Kulturkeller and Metropol, accompanied by a supporting program that focuses on direct exchange with the filmmakers. Each film costs only one 'ZWICKL' – two euros – making culture, education, and a view of the world consciously accessible at a low threshold. The highlight is the awarding of the Bavarian Documentary Film Prize ZETT.

Dates 19 Nov — 22 Nov 2026

Venue Schwandorf (09376)

Prices 2.00€ — 2.00€

Status —

Edition 2026

ZWICKL — edition 2026

Tickets →

The next edition of ZWICKL is scheduled for November 19 to 22, 2026. The submission phase for films ('Submit your film now!') already ran in spring 2026, and volunteers were sought for festival preparation. The detailed film program and the ZETT competition films are traditionally published shortly before the festival.

For 2026, the ZWICKL Schwandorf Documentary Film Festival is planned from November 19 to 22. The open submission phase for the Bavarian Documentary Film Prize ZETT ('Submit your film now!') ran from April 22, 2026, and from March 25, 2026, the team sought volunteer support for festival preparations.

As in previous years, the festival will take place at the Kulturkeller on Fronberger Straße and at the Metropol on Schwaigerstraße. The complete film program, including the competition films nominated for the ZETT, will typically be announced only a few weeks before the festival begins on 2wickl.de.

Highlights ZWICKL 2026

Awarding of the Bavarian Documentary Film Prize ZETT (1,000 euros + 5,000-euro camera voucher from Vantage Film)
Film discussions with attending directors
Each film for only one 'ZWICKL' (2 euros)

Programme ZWICKL 2026

Status of Planning 2026

From 04/22/2026 — Official submission phase for the Bavarian Documentary Film Prize ZETT opened ('Submit your film now!').
From 03/25/2026 — Call for volunteer participation in festival preparation.
11/19–22/2026 — Festival days with a curated documentary film program, film discussions with attending filmmakers, and the awarding of the ZETT.

The specific film program and the ZETT competition films for 2026 had not yet been published at the time of research; they are usually released shortly before the festival begins on 2wickl.de.

Prices ZWICKL 2026

One 'ZWICKL' (2 euros) per screening. Parts of the supporting program (workshops, POPUP.LABOR) are free of charge.

Practical information

Practical information — ZWICKL

Getting there

Schwandorf is conveniently located on the Nuremberg–Regensburg–Schwandorf railway line; the station is a hub for several lines. By car, take the A93 (Schwandorf exit). The Kulturkeller and Metropol venues are within walking distance in the city center.

Admission

One 'ZWICKL' (2 euros) per film. Workshops and some supporting program events are partly free of charge.

Tip

The film discussions with the attending filmmakers are the centerpiece – check the program and guest list in advance on 2wickl.de.

A festival that brings documentary film to the Upper Palatinate

ZWICKL is a finely curated film festival in the heart of the Upper Palatinate. With a mix of older and brand-new documentary films, as well as a diverse supporting program, it consciously brings the documentary genre out of the major festival cities and into the large district town of Schwandorf in the district of the same name (Bavaria). The focus is on personal exchange: many screenings are accompanied by film discussions with the attending directors.

Low threshold thanks to the 'ZWICKL' principle

The name and conceptual basis is the admission principle: each film costs one 'ZWICKL', i.e., two euros. This keeps the festival affordable for everyone and is explicitly understood as a contribution to cultural participation and education in the region.

The Bavarian Documentary Film Prize ZETT

Since 2019, ZWICKL has awarded its own prize, the Bavarian Documentary Film Prize ZETT. It is endowed with 1,000 euros in prize money and a 5,000-euro camera rental voucher from Vantage Film, making it one of the substantial awards in the Bavarian festival landscape. In 2025, the ZETT was awarded for the fourth time.

Venues and Supporting Program

Screenings take place at two locations in Schwandorf's city center: in the Kulturkeller on Fronberger Straße and in the Metropol – miteinander leben on Schwaigerstraße. The cinema program is regularly supplemented by workshops and open events, for example in a 'POPUP.LABOR' on the market square. The festival is organized by the Office for Culture and Tourism of the City of Schwandorf, supported by the District of Schwandorf and the District of Upper Palatinate.