ZWICKL Schwandorf Documentary Film Days
Finely curated documentary film festival in the heart of the Upper Palatinate
About ZWICKL
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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.
ZWICKL — edition 2026
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.
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.
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)
Prices ZWICKL 2026
One 'ZWICKL' (2 euros) per screening. Parts of the supporting program (workshops, POPUP.LABOR) are free of charge.
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.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a ZWICKL al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place ZWICKL
Kulturkeller / Metropol Schwandorf