Programme Finalised: 38 Filmfest Dresden Creating Spaces and Revealing Worlds of Work in Transition
380 Films from 60 Countries // Focus: “Work in Progress” // Cutbacks: Inclusive Programme Cancelled // Start of Ticket Sales
With over 380 short films from 60 countries and wide-ranging special programmes, the 38 Filmfest Dresden is presenting an impressive showcase of the international short film scene in Saxony’s state capital once more from 14 to 19 April. With its thematic focus on “Work in Progress”, the festival is continuing last year’s focus on solidarity and turning the spotlight on the world of work: Various contributions and programme sections are highlighting power structures, questioning working conditions and revealing the role that work plays in social participation and democratic engagement. In this way, Filmfest Dresden is again creating spaces for exchanges, multifaceted perspectives and respectful dialogue. Despite having such an extensive programme, the festival is facing further budget cuts.
Festival Director Anne Gaschütz: “The budget freeze imposed by the City of Dresden has caused a 10% reduction in our funding. But what’s even more troubling for us is that we are not able to offer any inclusive programme in 2026, as the funding needed for this has been cancelled. After more than ten years of continuous work in this area, we are being forced to drop these programmes for now – a decision that’s been incredibly difficult for us and which is a clear indication to us of the current cultural policy situation here.
Basically, we’re facing the challenge that even with the cutbacks in our funding, the costs just keep on rising. The fact that the festival can still be held on nearly the same scale as usual is thanks to the extraordinary dedication of our team – but this situation is just not sustainable over the long run.
And especially in these times of global crises and wars, as well as growing social tensions and rising xenophobia and racism, we need events like FILMFEST DRESDEN more than ever: by providing spaces that facilitate encounters, bring different perspectives to light and tolerate dissent. Spaces where democratic values are not merely abstract concepts, but are lived out in real, concrete ways. But when these spaces come under pressure, not only does it affect our culture – but even our whole society.”
The International, National and Central German Competitions traditionally represent the focus of the multifaceted festival programme. A total of 65 entries from 36 countries are competing here for 17 awards with total prizemoney of €70,500. For the first time, the festival sponsors now include Lumatic Animation & VFX which, together with the German Institute for Animated Film (DIAF), is sponsoring the Golden Horseman Animated Film in the National Competition. At the festival’s Awards Ceremony on Saturday, 18 April, eight independent juries are awarding a total of 14 prizes, further to the three Audience Awards. In addition to the film screenings, we again have wide-ranging special programmes with panel discussions, a masterclass and further events for both accredited guests and interested festival audiences.
The film festival is being held in 19 festival locations across Dresden, including our longstanding venues, the Filmtheater Schauburg, Thalia Cinema. Coffee and Cycling and Programmkino Ost cinemas, in addition to the Astoria Dresden venue for the first time this year. The free-of-charge 2026 Short Film Open Air events at Schloßplatz are screening thanks to the kind support of the schickschön GmbH & Co. KG event technology company, the MDR – Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk – public broadcaster and the Dresden State Capital.
Likewise, the Film Nights on the Banks of the Elbe festival partner is again demonstrating its long-term commitment to the festival and providing generous support.
Festival tickets can now be purchased and initial impressions gained at the traditional Programme Preview screening in the Thalia cinema on 9 April 2026 at 19:00.
Highlights from the Film Programme: “Work in Progress”, 90 Years of African Animation, Tribute: Jyoti Mistry & Astoria Music Film Night
This year’s focus on “Work in Progress” forms a recurring theme in many of the contributions and programme items, and especially in the four curated thematic programmes: The “Focus 1: … What a Way to Make a Living!” for instance provides insights into typical workdays from a women’s perspective, while the “Focus 2: What Remains of Gestures” section is exposing the traces of labour exploitation. The works in “Focus 3: Cloud Nine to Five” address the changes in the world of work brought about by digitalisation, AI and globalisation, while the “Focus 4: Between Worlds” examines the topic of work in relation to our home and homeland.
The programme “Retrospective: Places of Work”, developed in collaboration with the Filmgalerie Phase IV gallery and the Zentrum für Baukultur Sachsen (Saxon Building Culture Centre), is taking the viewers on a cinematic excursion that highlights building culture and places of work, leading from West German supermarkets via the proletarian provinces of East German GDR to the vast expanses of Europe.
In addition to the 20th edition of Focus Québec, the festival is celebrating a further anniversary this year: “Animated: 90 Years of African Animation” is journeying through the continent’s vibrant stories, bold creativity and ancestral imagination. This highly diverse showcase has been curated by Dr. Mohamed Ghazala, an award-winning Egyptian animation filmmaker and academic who studies animation cultures in the Arab and African worlds.
This year’s Tribute is dedicated to the South African Jyoti Mistry, whose films are situated at the interface of art, cinema and research. The works being screened position historical film footage within new contexts, reveal power relations, stimulate curiosity and open up the limitations of incomprehension to become a productive space. In the related masterclass, the artist is providing insights into her work, intended as an invitation to engage in a dialogue with her.
The programme “Europe is not a joke – or is it?” is aiming to tackle reality with humour through a selection of classics and new discoveries that bridge Europe’s past and present.
The programme “YouTube killed the Videostar” marks the premiere of the “ASTORIA Music Film Night” event and is celebrating the interplay of music and video on the cinematic silver screen. The works being shown include classics, showcase the stars of tomorrow and combine local and international (music) video art. In cooperation with the Film Nights on the Banks of the Elbe festival partner.
At the ever-popular Short Film Bingo on Thursday evening (18:00, GrooveStation), the audience can join in the fun: A wide-ranging selection from 3,800 submissions are awaiting the guests – from films about films, to horses, football and lots of love. An entertaining evening full of surprises and good humour, presented by Falk Töpfer.
Special Programmes: Storytelling Café with Work-Wear Aprons, Exhibition & Talks on Power Structures, Participation and Secure Workplaces, Festival Party
In addition to the film programmes, the festival is again holding its etc. -events.trainings.connections. section, providing a wide selection of special programmes with panel discussions, a masterclass and further events for both accredited guests and interested festival audiences. The festival would like to thank its new industry partner, the Spirit Legal Law Firm, for their support here.
With a unique format, the “Storytelling Café: Work-Wear Aprons” event is highlighting this year’s focus on the theme of work: At the café in the Dresden City Museum, festivalgoers and other interested visitors can share their own stories about work-wear aprons and smocks – symbols of both paid and care work.
The “Safer Working Spaces” discussion format is presenting local initiatives and pan-German actors who are committed to consistently improving local working conditions and who advocate more inclusive work contexts overall. In English.
The “Discussion: What’s the Point of Access?” is exploring how crucial the initial start is for working in the film industry. Because only those who succeed in finding their way into the industry can shape which perspectives and themes become visible there. Actors and initiatives are discussing the challenges and opportunities provided by such access. In English.
The exhibition and film programme “The Currency Lab – Law & Order” in the geh8 venue is exploring social order systems, ideologies and power relations in a multifaceted way, and is being accompanied by three thematic film programmes.
Following an intensive festival week, the partying is continuing on Saturday night after the Awards Ceremony: DRAG fever is back! At the “YOU BETTER WERK! – Festival Drag Party” in the GrooveStation, everyone is invited to hit the dance floor – best of all in a spectacular look. Dresden’s very own SLAY-Network is going to have the stage heaving, while DJs Marmede (Berlin) and Joplin (Dresden) will keep the party going all night long with their infectious beats.
Cinematic Experience for Young Audiences: The Kids and Youth Programme
The 38th round of the festival is again inviting young film fans to the Kids and Youth Programme, featuring fresh short films and special movie experiences for children, teens and school groups. During the festival week, the five age-appropriate programmes (from 5 years and older) are providing exciting insights into the world of short film. Whether humorous, adventurous or thought-provoking – the selected works tell stories that will move the viewers and inspire exchanges. Following the screenings, the audiences have an opportunity to quiz the filmmakers and learn more about the films they see. All of the programmes can also be booked as group screenings.
Yet again, the selection was compiled in cooperation with the Filmfest Dresden Young Curators – a group of young film enthusiasts from Dresden and its surroundings.
In the creative Kids Workshop “Miracles, Mutations, Animated Movies”, Antje Heyn and Alexander Isert from the animation studio Protoplanet Studio are showing the students and school classes attending it how drawings can come to life and become transformed. Antje Heyn and Alexander Isert have enriched Filmfest Dresden with their original and imaginative animated films for over 15 years: starting with the award-winning LUMO (2010 Golden Horseman Best Animated Film) and continuing through to this year’s edition with ON THE MAT OUTSIDE MY DOOR (Kids 1 programme).
The festival’s longstanding cooperative partner Fantasia Dresden Animation School is presenting the results of the workshop in the Kids Special Showcase.
Festival Trailer
There’s lots of chopping, rolling out dough… and dancing: Director and this year’s LUCA jury member Popo Fan headed to the Taiwan Tapas festival snack bar with his cinematographer Dennis Didinger to shoot the latest festival trailer “Work in Progress”. Amir Ovadia Steklov was responsible for the visual effects and Eduardo Mamede contributed the music. The result is kitchen action at its finest.
More on Popo Fan at: http://www.popofan.net