International Short Film Festival Oberhausen – Germany 2026

Background & History

• Origins: Founded in 1954 as the Westdeutsche Kurzfilmtage (West German Short Film Days) in Oberhausen, it was initiated by local film enthusiasts to promote experimental and independent short films in post-war Germany, quickly becoming a beacon for innovative cinema.
• Cultural Significance: As the world’s oldest short film festival, it serves as a catalyst for film renewal, showcasing diverse forms like essays, installations, animations, and hybrids, emphasizing short film’s role in shaping future languages and addressing contemporary issues.
• Evolution: From its early focus on West German works, it internationalized in the 1960s, introducing the Oberhausen Manifesto in 1962—a seminal document signed by 26 filmmakers (including Alexander Kluge) declaring “The old film is dead. We believe in the new one”; by the 1980s, it embraced video art, and in 2020, it pivoted online during COVID, reaching 100 countries with 2,500 passes.
• Global Impact: Receives 7,000+ submissions annually from 100+ countries, programs 500 films, and attracts 1,100+ professionals; alumni include Roman Polanski, George Lucas, Wim Wenders, Werner Herzog, and Pipilotti Rist, with countless first works launching careers.
• Milestones: The 1962 Manifesto sparked the Young German Cinema movement; 1998 introduced MuVi, Germany’s first music video award; 2020 online edition set a digital benchmark; the 72nd edition in 2026 celebrates 72 years, focusing on AI-generated shorts and climate narratives.
• Institutional Role: Organized by the Internationale Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen e.V., funded by the City of Oberhausen, NRW state, and federal support; it pioneered equal treatment of video since the 1980s and maintains a 25,000+ film archive, one of Europe’s largest short film collections.
• Community Engagement: Hosts 40,000+ visitors yearly, boosts Oberhausen’s economy by €1–2 million, and supports education through children’s/youth competitions (since 1974), with free public screenings and discussions fostering local film literacy.

Event Highlights

• International Competition: 50–60 films up to 35 minutes, German festival premieres, non-German productions; 2026 theme “Radical Evolutions” spotlights hybrid forms like VR essays and AI-assisted animations from Asia and Africa.
• German Competition: 30–40 national shorts, open to all lengths, showcasing emerging German talents; past winners include Nemes Jeles László’s early works leading to Son of Saul.
• NRW Competition: Regional focus on North Rhine-Westphalia films, 20–25 entries, highlighting local stories like Ruhr industrial revivals and migrant narratives.
• MuVi Award: Music videos since 1998, 20–30 submissions, judged for innovation; 2026 emphasizes experimental soundscapes with electronic and world music fusions.
• Children’s and Youth Film Competition: Since 1974, 50+ entries for ages 4–18, with categories for animation and live-action; includes workshops at Lichtburg cinema.
• Omnibus Programme: Collaborative shorts by international groups, 10–15 works exploring themes like digital identity; 2026 features a Europe-Africa co-production on migration.
• Country Focus: Rotating spotlight, e.g., South Korea in 2025; 2026 on Brazil, with 15 films on favela resilience and Amazonian myths.
• Special Events: Oberhausen Manifesto anniversary screenings (1962 document); archive retrospectives of Wenders/Herzog first works; open-air installations at Rheinpromenade.

Date & Duration

• Dates: 28 April – 3 May 2026

Venue / Location

• City: Oberhausen, Ruhr region, Germany, an industrial heartland turned cultural hub, home to Europe’s largest short film archive.
• Main Venue: Lichtburg, Europe’s oldest cinema (1912, Grillostr. 34), with 5 halls for 500+ screenings.
• Secondary Venues: Zentrum Altenberg für Kurzfilmtage (archive/exhibitions); Rheinpromenade (outdoor installs); Fabrik Grünstraße (MuVi parties).
• Notable Areas: City center for discussions; Emscher Park for eco-themed walks; NRW Forum for hybrid art.
• Google Maps Address: Lichtburg, Grillostr. 34, 46045 Oberhausen, Germany (51.4964° N, 6.8673° E) – festival core.

Ticket Information

• Ticket Sales: Online at kurzfilmtage.de (early bird October 2025); Lichtburg box office (+49 208 8252652); festival pass €50–€100 ($55–$110 USD).
• Admission: Single screening €6–€8 ($6.50–$8.75 USD); reduced €4 ($4.40 USD) for students/seniors; free for under-18s/youth programs.
• Pricing: Minimum $4.40 USD (€4, reduced single); maximum $110 USD (€100, full pass with parties).
• Packages: 10-ticket voucher $44 USD (€40); student pass $27 USD (€25); family $33 USD (€30) for 4.
• Accreditation: Professional €80 ($88 USD) for industry access; submit via website (deadline March 2026).
• VIP Options: Premium €150 ($165 USD) with archive tours and jury Q&As; no lottery.
• Note: Submissions free for first 5 films (deadline January 19, 2026); early bird October 10, 2025.

Contact Information

• Email: info@kurzfilmtage.de (general); submissions@kurzfilmtage.de (entries); press@kurzfilmtage.de (media).
• Phone: +49 208 8252652 (English/German, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM).
• Website: https://kurzfilmtage.de/de (programme, submissions, archive).
• Social Media: @kurzfilmtage.oberhausen (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube for trailers/discussions).
• Key Staff: Madeleine Bernstorff (Artistic Director); Susannah Pollheim (Business Director); team at info@kurzfilmtage.de.
• Press/Volunteers: Press via press@kurzfilmtage.de; volunteers open January 2026 via website.
• Response Time: 24–48 hours for email; social media within 12 hours.
• Language Support: German, English; French/Spanish for international submissions.

Cultural Experience

• Short Form Innovation: Celebrates experimental shorts as film’s future, with 2026 exploring AI and climate themes through 500 global entries.
• Manifesto Legacy: Discussions revive 1962’s radical spirit, with panels on digital renewal echoing Wenders/Herzog’s first Oberhausen works.
• Art-Film Crossover: Integrates video art and installations, praised by Dj Spooky for charting short film’s “radical evolution.”
• Ruhr Industrial Vibe: Screenings in repurposed factories like Fabrik Grünstraße blend cinema with Oberhausen’s post-industrial renewal.
• Youth Engagement: Children’s competition (since 1974) includes hands-on workshops, fostering future talents in a family-friendly atmosphere.
• Global Dialogue: Country Focus (Brazil 2026) and Omnibus collaborations spark debates on diverse visual languages, from thesis films to music videos.

Food & Drinks

• Currywurst: Ruhr sausage with curry ketchup, at Lichtburg stands ($5–$7 USD).
• Rheinischer Sauerbraten: Marinated beef with raisins, festival special ($10–$14 USD).
• Altbier: Dark Düsseldorf ale, paired with screenings ($4–$6 USD).
• Rheinischer Muscheltopf: Mussels in white wine, at Rheinpromenade ($8–$12 USD).
• Pumpernickel Bread: Dense rye with cheese, quick snack ($2–$4 USD).
• Non-Alcoholic Options: Apfelschorle (apple juice spritzer) and herbal teas ($2–$3 USD).

Getting There

• Nearest Airport: Düsseldorf (DUS, 30 km), with S-Bahn to Oberhausen ($5 USD, 20 minutes).
• Public Transport: ICE trains from Berlin/Cologne to Oberhausen Hbf ($20–$50 USD, 2–4 hours); trams 112/113 to Lichtburg ($2 USD, 10 minutes).
• Road: A40 from Essen (15 minutes); parking at Centro Oberhausen ($10 USD/day).
• Taxis/Rideshare: Taxis from DUS ($40–$50 USD); Uber/Bolt ($10–$15 USD locally).
• Biking/Walking: VRR bike shares ($2 USD/hour); venues within 1 km of Hbf.
• Accessibility: S-Bahn wheelchair-equipped; venues ramped; book via +49 208 8252652.

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Mercure Hotel Oberhausen ($120–$180 USD/night).
• Mid-Range: Centro Hotel Oberhausen ($80–$120 USD/night).
• Budget: Ibis Oberhausen ($50–$80 USD/night); Airbnb near Hbf ($40–$70 USD/night).
• Boutique: Hotel Am Spichernplatz ($90–$140 USD/night).
• Hostels: DJH Jugendherberge ($25–$45 USD/night).
• Rural Stays: Gasthaus Zur Emscher ($60–$100 USD/night).