International Short Film Festival Oberhausen

2027 prizes include the Grand Prize of the City of Oberhausen (€8,000), the International Jury’s Principal Prize (€4,000) and Promotional Prize (€1,500); two prizes from the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science jury (€5,000 and €3,000); a FIPRESCI Prize; an Ecumenical Jury Prize (€2,000); and the ZONTA Prize for a woman filmmaker in the International or German Competition (€1,000). The German Competition awards its main prize (€5,000), Promotional Prize (€1,500) and 3sat Emerging Talent Prize (€2,500). The NRW Competition awards a main prize (€1,000), Promotional Prize (€500) and WDR Westart Audience Jury Prize (€750). Children’s and youth awards include two children’s jury prizes (€1,000 each), a youth jury prize (€1,000), the SURPRISE prize (€1,000) and an ecumenical prize (€1,500). An ECFA jury nominates a film for the ECFA Short Film Award. The MuVi jury awards first and second prizes (€2,000 and €1,000), and an online audience vote awards €500. Prize money is intended for the directors.

2027 edition: films and music videos must be completed after 1 January 2026. Submit through the festival’s online forms; duplicate submissions are not accepted. The deadline is 18 January 2027 for films and 22 February 2027 for MuVi. The first five submissions per submitter are free; each additional work costs €20. International Competition: films of any genre up to 35 minutes; a German festival premiere is required. German Competition: productions or co-productions based in Germany, up to 45 minutes, with no festival-premiere requirement. German co-productions meeting the International Competition rules must enter through its form. NRW productions enter through the German form and are also considered for the NRW Competition. Children’s and youth films enter through the appropriate international or German form; no festival premiere is required for this competition. MuVi: music videos up to 15 minutes, with direction or production based in Germany and authorisation from the music rights holder. There is no premiere requirement. Accepted screening formats for film competitions are 35 mm, 16 mm, Super 8 and DCP; MuVi uses DCP. The commissions may exceptionally accept longer works. Selection is communicated by mid-March 2027. After written acceptance, selected works cannot be withdrawn; screening materials are due by 1 April 2027. Online festival presentation requires separate permission and is not a condition of competition participation. Submitted viewing links and film information enter the accredited Video Library unless the festival receives a written objection by 31 March 2027. The full official regulations govern participation.