Filmfest Düsseldorf

The Grand Jury Award is endowed with €1,000. Two audience awards recognise short films under and over 15 minutes, each with €750. A Team Award, introduced in 2018, carries €500. The official winners page labelled 2025 additionally lists an Emotional Impact Award, without a published endowment.

2026 competition rules. Entries are closed. The festival accepts international and German newcomers without genre or subject restrictions. The FilmFreeway rules apply to both short-film categories, under and over 15 minutes. 1. A filmmaker may have published no more than five films at submission, including the submitted film. 2. Publication includes screenings in public venues, such as cinemas and festivals, and release on the internet. A complete filmography must accompany the submission. 3. The film must run between 3 and 30 minutes, excluding end credits. The selection committee may exceptionally admit longer films. 4. The film must be published within 2024–2026. 5. Each contestant may submit one film per year; if several are submitted, only the first is considered. 6. The submitted copy must have English subtitles, including films whose spoken language is English. 7. Submitters consent to the copy remaining in the festival archive. If a film is not nominated, its filmmaker may request the copy back. Postal submissions requesting return must include a stamped, addressed envelope. 8. Submitters must own or hold permission for all footage and other material, including collecting-society rights. Films containing racist, pornographic, violent or other unconstitutional material are inadmissible. The sender bears liability for violations. 9. Films must not be substantially created using generative AI. Minor AI elements are permitted for critical, artistic or documentary purposes, such as reflection on AI and its effects, and must be disclosed clearly in the submission form. 10. Nomination entails permission for festival screenings both in person and online. Submissions cannot be withdrawn after the official selection is announced. 11. Selected films must be available as .mov or .mp4, at low bitrate, preferably no larger than 5 GB. The published rules specify the bitrate as “80 bps”. 12. Submitters permit film excerpts of up to two minutes in any form or media connected with the festival. Poster material for display is also requested. 13. If selected, submitters permit excerpts in the official Filmfest Düsseldorf trailer. 14. Films may also be used for teaching within Media and Cultural Studies at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf. 15. Nominated filmmakers, cast and crew are welcome to attend. If attendance is impossible, the festival requests a short video message for its presentation. Travel and accommodation costs are not covered. There is no right of appeal. The official 2026 call also allows postal submission or submission through FilmFreeway.