News

Just in time for the Festival de Cannes, AG Kurzfilm presents the second selection of the GERMAN SHORT FILMS catalog 2026. The new films are now available online for the international film industry. Trailer: Vera Herr; Sound & Music: David Kamp, Dustin Sam Iwen; Motif: Jonatan Schwenk

We present new catalog films in Cannes, offer numerous networking opportunities for the German filmmakers on location, including workshops, market guidance and pitch training. Five German short films were invited to La Cinef, Quinzaine and Semaine de la Critique.

Films that challenged conventional viewing habits, explored new paths thematically, stylistically, and visually. After thirteen years and seven editions, the Emerging Artists: Contemporary Experimental Films and Video Art from Germany program will end. Our increasingly strained financial situation no longer allows us to continue this special film program. We deeply regret this decision, but we see no other option. We thank all the filmmakers who entrusted us with their films for this project. The program may still be screened until the end of 2026.

The FFA’s SHORT TIGER AWARD was presented to five short films at the Filmfest Dresden. Together, they celebrated their program premiere in the NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER short film program organized by German Films. The jury consisted of director Anna Roller, Sarah Dombrink (interfilm Berlin), and Andreas Heidenreich (board member of the Federal Association of Municipal Film Work, Kommunales Kino Weiterstadt). AG Kurzfilm managed the submissions for non-student projects.

Find festivals at a glance! Our new festival search provides an overview of hundreds of international short film festivals. Using the filter settings, you can search by upcoming festival dates, submission deadlines, and countries.

The members of the Association have re-elected Amrei Keul (International Short Film Week Regensburg) and Karsten Matern (AG Animationsfilm) to their positions. Sarah Dombrink (INTERFILM Berlin), Katrin Mundt (European Media Art Festival Osnabrück), and Wolf Plesmann (German Film and Television Academy Berlin) were newly elected to the board, also with overwhelming approval.

Under the umbrella of German Films, we will be presenting our current projects at our stand (No. 18) at the European Film Market from February 12-18, 2026, advising filmmakers and festival representatives on all questions relating to short film.

The Berlinale 2026 (February 12–22) will kick off with a significantly increased presence of German short films: a total of 15 German short film productions will be represented in various sections of the festival—three times as many as last year. The selection includes numerous world premieres and international co-productions.

For the 21st time, a new edition of the SHORT EXPORT – MADE IN GERMANY program will be screened as part of the Soirée Allemande at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. On February 2, 2026, at 6 p.m., the six new works in this year's program will be presented in the presence of numerous filmmakers.

AG Kurzfilm will again be present with a booth at the film market of the International Short Film Festival in Clermont-Ferrand from February 2 to 5, 2026. In cooperation with German Films, we will present numerous current German short films in two market screenings. A total of 18 German short films can be seen in the various competitions and sections of the festival.

December once again is all about short films: The KURZFILMTAG (Short Film Day) is just around the corner. On the shortest day of the year, December 21, as well as during the six days leading up to it, more than 500 highly diverse events will take place in over 200 cities and municipalities, both offline and online. More information and a list of all events can be found at:

Do you want to screen an accessible short film program and check whether the films already have audio description? In our new film list, you’ll find both German and international short films with accessible screening options – including the respective rights holders. We update the collection continuously: if you have a short film that can be shown in an accessible format, please get in touch!

For 15 years, AG Kurzfilm has been touring both countries with FEINKOŠT, a selection of six current and inspiring short documentaries from Germany and Czechia. This year's kick-off event will take place on October 8, 2025, at the Přítomnost cinema in Prague, where filmmakers will also be present.

AG Kurzfilm will be presenting short film specials at the 25th Filmkunstmesse (September 22–26, 2025): The proven KURZ VOR FILM program will be shown, featuring short films that are ideal for supporting a feature-length film. Also presented will be the FAMILIENBANDE program, which is accessible to all with audio description, subtitles for the hearing impaired, and German sign language inserts.

Starting now, events can be registered on the website for the 14th nationwide KURZFILMTAG 2025 (SHORT FILM DAY 2025). This year's event is held under the motto “JETZT!” (NOW!). The first film programs are already available online.

From 10-13 June 2025, the AG Kurzfilm, together with German Films, will be present as part of the Festival International du Film d'Animation at the affiliated film market MIFA. In addition, they present the current short animated films in our online catalog. Numerous German short films can also be seen in the competition sections of the festival.

In 2025, we are confronted with cuts in the cultural budget of the city of Dresden (location of the AG Kurzfilm office) and the state of Saxony and must therefore come to the conclusion: The insufficient funding makes fair payments for authors and translators impossible. From now on, there will be no more articles on shortfilm.de. Only festival dates and deadlines will continue to be updated regularly.