Event Details
Welcome to Filmfest Hamburg 2026
From 24 September to 3 October 2026, Hamburg turns into a stage for international cinema for the 34th time. Filmfest Hamburg screens around 120 national and international feature and documentary films as world premieres, European premieres or German premieres, shown across the well known festival cinemas Abaton, CinemaxX Dammtor, Metropolis, Passage and Studio Kino, plus several neighbourhood cinemas.
Highlights
- Around 120 films from around the world, many as German or European premieres
- Free Admission Day on 3 October (German Unity Day) at all five festival cinemas
- Filmfest Hamburg Junior with a program for young film fans aged four to 16
- International guests and directors in audience talks
- Filmfest Industry Days, a B2B meeting point for the European film industry
- Awards ceremony with six figure total prize money
Program
The program is organised into several thematic sections, including the international lineup Kaleidoscope, presenting recent feature films from different world regions, and the political section Veto!, dedicated to socially relevant topics. Running alongside the main program, the MICHEL Children and Youth Filmfest at Studio Kino shows nine international films competing for the MAJA Film Award. Central meeting points during the festival include the Filmfest Café at CinemaxX Dammtor and the Filmfest Bar with concerts and DJs. Detailed screening times and the full film list are published in late summer 2026.
Tickets
Single tickets for regular screenings cost around 13 euros; for the full festival period, Filmfest Hamburg offers a 10 ticket pass, priced at around 80 euros in previous years. On Free Admission Day (3 October), all screenings at the five main cinemas are free, though seats must be reserved online in advance. Tickets are available through the festival website and at the cinema box offices.
Visitor Tips
- Book popular premieres and guest screenings early, as they tend to sell out fast.
- Reserve a seat online in good time for the free cinema day on 3 October.
- The festival takes place across multiple venues in the city; plan travel time by bus or train between cinemas.
- Check the festival website regularly for program and screening times, as the full lineup is only published in late summer.
