14 - 19 APRIL 2026
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FAQ Industry Guests

Dear filmmakers and industry guests,

Here you will find our answers to your questions about the 38 FILMFEST DRESDEN. Filmmakers whose films are screening in the competitions and programmes will find more detailed information in the FAQ (PDF) in the invitation.

 

1. Accreditation

>>> During which period can I apply for accreditation?

Accreditation for the 38 FILMFEST DRESDEN is available from 19 January to 27 March 2026. During this period, you can apply for accreditation online free of charge, provided you meet the requirements. Late accreditation is only possible during the festival week on site at the Guest Office. In that case, an additional service fee applies. You can find all the details about accreditation here.

>>> Who can apply for accreditation?

Accreditation is only available to persons with a professional interest in FILMFEST DRESDEN. Up to two people per company or organisation and up to four people per film team can be accredited free of charge. Press representatives and students of film, art and media universities can also be accredited free of charge.
A separate form must be completed for each person. Accreditation is non-transferable. You can find all the details about accreditation here.

>>> I am a student at a film, art or media university. Under what conditions can I apply for accreditation?

Students at film, art and media universities can apply for accreditation free of charge within the accreditation period (until 27 March 2026). Please note that late accreditation is only possible during the festival week at the Guest Office. In this case, we charge a service fee of EUR 40.

Important: To help us process your request quickly, please complete your details as fully as possible and use an email address where we can reliably reach you.

  • Email address: your university email address
  • Film / programme item / role: name of your university
  • Travel dates (arrival/departure): please state as reliably as possible when you will be in Dresden and update your details if anything changes.

>>> I am a member of the press. Under what conditions can I apply for accreditation?

Press accreditation for FILMFEST DRESDEN is available to journalists and media professionals working in print, online, TV, radio, photography, blogs, podcasts and YouTube, and is issued exclusively for the purpose of journalistic coverage. You can find detailed information on press and media accreditation here.

>>> How do I apply for accreditation and what do I need to consider?

You can apply for accreditation free of charge until 27 March 2026. Click here for accreditation.

If you already have a user account (festival account), you should continue using it and request a new password if needed.

  • If you do not have a user account yet, create an account first and submit your accreditation request via that account.
  • Once your accreditation has been successfully processed, you will receive a six-digit accreditation ID.
  • We will send you an email confirmation with all important information once your request has been reviewed and approved.

As accreditation is personal, it is non-transferable. Each person needs their own festival account and their own accreditation.

To help us process your request quickly, please complete your details as fully as possible and use an email address where we can reliably reach you. Please note the following when filling in the form:

  • Film / programme item / role: please enter the film title and the programme/section in which your film is screened.
  • Travel dates (arrival/departure): please state as reliably as possible when you will be in Dresden and update your details if anything changes. This is important for the Q&As and hotel reservations.
  • Accommodation: please indicate whether you have reserved a single or double room. If you are travelling with an accompanying person, please enter the name of your room-sharing partner. The accompanying person must also apply for accreditation.

>>> My film has been invited to FILMFEST DRESDEN. Can my invitation be transferred?

Yes. You can transfer your invitation to one person from your film team (e.g. camera, screenplay, production). Please inform our Guest Office which team member will be travelling to the festival. Please note that the person must also apply for accreditation, and we assume they will take part in the Q&As.

>>> Can I apply for accreditation after the deadline?

Yes. You can apply for accreditation during the festival at the Guest Office (insert link). Please note that a service fee of EUR 40 applies, which must be paid on site.

>>> How many members of a film team can be accredited free of charge?

Up to four people per film team can be accredited free of charge. From the fifth person onwards, an accreditation fee of EUR 40 applies.

>>> Is there an accreditation fee?

If you apply during the official accreditation period (19 January to 27 March 2026), there is no accreditation fee. Film students and press representatives can also be accredited free of charge.

If you miss the deadline (27 March 2026) and only apply on site at the Guest Office, a service fee of EUR 40 applies. Please note: Up to four people per film team and up to two people per company or organisation are accredited free of charge. From the fifth (film team) and third (company/organisation) person onwards, an accreditation fee of EUR 40 applies.

>>> I am accredited for FILMFEST DRESDEN. Do I still need tickets for events?

Yes. Admission to screenings and other events is only possible with a valid ticket. The exception is events in the professional programme section etc. – events. trainings. connections. These can usually be attended without a ticket by showing your accreditation badge.

You can book tickets either online via your user account (festival account – www.db.filmfest-dresden.de) or by presenting your accreditation at the box offices of the festival cinemas. There is no entitlement to admission to sold-out events.

 

2. Festival Account & Film Library

>>> What information can I find in my personal festival account?

In your festival account you will find:

  • your film’s screening times (day, time and venue) including , when your Q&A takes place
  • the guest list of all accredited participants
  • ticket bookings for film screenings
  • your accreditation ID (a six-digit number)
  • the Film Library (“playlist”). It will be available to you from 20 April for four weeks (see also: Film Library).

If you have any questions or problems, please contact Guest Office.

>>> How do I log in to my festival account?

Every accredited participant has a personal festival account. Please log in using the email address and password you used when applying for accreditation. Login link: www.db.filmfest-dresden.de.

If you have forgotten your password, you can create a new one via “Forgot password”. If you have any login issues, please contact our Guest Office.

>>> What is the Film Library?

The Film Library is a time-limited online offering provided by FILMFEST DRESDEN. It allows you to watch a wide selection of films from the festival programme online after the festival week. As a rule, all competition films and the majority of special programmes are available.

From 20 April, you can access the Film Library via your festival account (tab “Films” / “Playlist”).

>>> Who receives access to the Film Library and how?

All accredited professional guests of FILMFEST DRESDEN receive access to the Film Library via their personal festival account.

>>> Who should I contact if I have problems with the Film Library?

If you have questions about or problems with the Film Library, please contact Sarah Christopher (christopher@filmfest-dresden.de).

 

3. Accommodation for Accredited Guests

>>> What accommodation options are available for accredited guests?

For invited filmmakers whose films are screening in the competitions and programmes, as well as for industry guests, we have reserved a limited number of rooms in our partner hotels. The conditions vary depending on the film programme. In your personalised invitation email, you will find all the details about how many nights we will cover the accommodation costs for you. Hotel reservations are only possible until 27 March 2026. There is no entitlement to a discounted room. Further information can be found here.

>>> My film was selected and I have been invited. How many nights am I invited for?

This depends on the programme in which your film is screened. You can find all information on the number of nights (single or double room) in your personalised invitation email. If you need the email again, please contact our Guest Office.

>>> I am invited for a certain number of nights but would like to stay longer. What are my options?

Depending on availability, you can extend your stay. You are responsible for the cost of additional nights. You pay directly at the hotel. Please contact please contact our Guest Office.

>>> I would like to bring a companion. Can we share a room?

Yes, this is generally possible. For an additional fee, which your companion must pay themselves (self-payer), you can share a room. Please indicate the name of your companion when registering (field ‘Accommodation / Roommate’). In addition, your companion must also be accredited (see also: Accreditation). Your companion will pay the additional charge on site at the hotel.  Please contact our Guest Office to clarify all cost details.

 Changes or cancellations

>>> I need to change or cancel my travel dates. What do I need to consider?

The deadline for hotel reservations is 27 March 2026. We cannot guarantee a reservation for requests received after this date, for incomplete information, or once the room contingent is fully booked.

If your travel dates change, please first update your details in your festival account and then inform the Guest Office so we can adjust your hotel reservation accordingly.

Cancellations must also be communicated to us by 27 March 2026 so that we can reallocate the rooms. If you cancel later, cancellation fees may apply and may be charged to you as the guest.

Alternative accommodation option: “Short Visit” (Couchsurfing)

>>> What is the “Short Visit” option?

If our hotel contingent is fully booked, or if you would like a special accommodation option, you can – subject to availability – use our “Short Visit” (couchsurfing) offer. Festival guests can stay with Dresden residents free of charge during the festival period and experience Dresden from a local perspective.

>>> How do I sign up for a Short Visit and what information is required?

If you would like to take part in a Short Visit during the festival, you can contact kurzbesuch@filmfest-dresden.de by 7 April (or after your accreditation).

To help us find a suitable host for you, please send the following information to the Guest Office:

  • Personal details: full name, mobile number, email address
  • Stay: dates of your stay in Dresden; are you travelling alone or with other members of your film team?
  • Further details for matching: languages spoken; smoker/non-smoker; possible pet hair allergies; your preferences

 

4. Travelling to the Festival by Public Transport

>>> Which station is recommended as the destination for travelling to Dresden?

Many venues, the Guest Office, and the partner hotels of FILMFEST DRESDEN are located in the district of Dresden Neustadt. If possible, travel via Dresden-Neustadt station. From there, you can reach the Guest Office, most festival venues, and our partner hotels Best Western Plus Hotel Dresden City and ibis Styles Dresden Neustadt within a short walking distance. More information is available here.

>>> What is DB-Event and what conditions apply?

DB-Event is an offer by Deutsche Bahn. It provides participants of an event that has been enabled for DB-Event with a discount on standard ticket prices within Germany.

This year, FILMFEST DRESDEN is a DB-Event partner event. Exclusively for guests of the 38 FILMFEST DRESDEN, a separate booking link provides discounted fares on Deutsche Bahn’s standard prices (Super Sparpreis Event, Sparpreis Event, Flexpreis Event). More information is available here.

 

5. Film Programme and Locations

Your screenings and Q&As

>>> My film will be shown at FILMFEST DRESDEN. Do I have to attend every screening, and are Q&As mandatory?

Please attend all screenings of your film, provided they fall within the time you are in Dresden. A Q&A with you is scheduled for each screening of your film. Our moderators will be waiting for you before the screening. Please check in with them or the admissions staff as soon as you arrive at the cinema. You can view your film’s screening times in your festival account. For screenings at Programmkino Ost, Kino im Kasten and Zentralkino, there is also a shuttle service.

>>> How do I know who will moderate the Q&A for my film?

You can find all necessary information about your screenings in your personal festival account. There you can also see who will moderate your screening and Q&A.

>>> When will my film be shown?

You received your film’s screening times with the acceptance email. You can also view your film’s screening times in your personal festival account. From 24 March, all events will also be listed in the online programme.

>>> What do I need to know about my film screening?

Please be present at all your screenings, provided they take place during your attendance at the festival. Our moderators will be waiting for you before the screening. Please contact them or the admission staff as soon as you arrive at the cinema. You can find the screening times for your film and the names of the moderators in your festival account.

>>> Does participating in the National Competition earn my film points for the FFA reference funding scheme?

FILMFEST DRESDEN is listed on the FFA reference list. Any participating film in the National Competition that meets the formal criteria receives points for the FFA reference funding scheme. Further information is available here.

Online Programme, Industry Programme etc.

>>> What is the FILMFEST DRESDEN online programme and where can I find it?

The online programme provides a comprehensive overview of the entire programme for the festival edition. In addition to detailed information on all films and programme introductions, you will also find information on public events and professional activities. The online programme will be published on 24 March.

>>> What does “etc” mean?

etc stands for events. trainings. connections. This is the professional programme (Industry Programme) of FILMFEST DRESDEN. It includes a wide range of discussions, networking and training opportunities, and is primarily aimed at professional visitors. However, etc also includes events that are open and accessible to all interested festival audiences.

>>> Who can access the etc professional programme?

Many etc events can only be accessed with accreditation. However, the etc programme also includes public events, as well as events that are only accessible by invitation or after prior registration. The key information can be found in the event descriptions within our online programme.

>>> Where can I find information about the etc programme?

A brief overview is included in the festival programme booklet. Full information on all etc events is available in the online programme. The online programme will be published on 24 March.  

Locations

>>> Where can I find an overview of all events and venues?

From mid-March, you will find all events of the current festival edition, including venue information, in the online programme.  

>>> What is the Guest Office and where is it located?

The Guest Office is the first point of contact for filmmakers, professional guests and press representatives with questions about accreditation and your stay. During the festival week, from 14 to 19 April 2026, the Guest Office is located in the garden house of the ALTEN WETTBÜRO (Antonstr. 8, 01097 Dresden). Further details can be found here.

Shuttle service

>>> Is there a shuttle service during the festival week?

Yes. During the festival week there is a shuttle service. This offer is exclusively for representatives attending the film’s Q&A and who have appointments at Programmkino Ost, Zentralkino and Kino im Kasten. Please contact our hotline early to secure a seat.

To process your request quickly, please provide:

  • Subject: Name + Shuttle
  • Name and film title
  • Date and time of the screening / Q&A
  • Pick-up location
  • Destination
  • Number of people

Shuttle Service Hotline (14–19 April 2026)
+49 176-988 981 04
shuttle@filmfest-dresden.de

 

Contact

>>> How can I get in touch with the FILMFEST DRESDEN team?

You can send general enquiries at any time by email to info@filmfest-dresden.de or call +49 351-82947-0. You can find an overview of the team members here.

For specific questions, please contact: