Our latest live screening took place on 21 June 2026 at the historic Babylon Berlin, where filmmakers and audiences came together to celebrate outstanding independent cinema.

Berlin Indie Film Festival is now preparing a new season of live events across Berlin. Our summer programme will feature additional screenings at our partner venues, followed by another special event at Babylon Berlin later in the year.

info:
https://berlinindiefilmfestival.com/

Berlin Indie Film Festival hosts live screenings of international independent films in Berlin, with a focus on discovering emerging talent and connecting filmmakers with engaged audiences. Selected award-winning films from our competition are invited to screen at our live events throughout the year.

Our main venue is the prestigious Babylon cinema in Berlin.

Additional events are held in Berlin Prenzlauer Berg and at Kulturschöpfer and other areas in Berlin.

Awards & Prizes

MAIN CATEGORIES

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Short Documentary
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Director
Best First Time Director
Best Music Video
Best Student Film
Best Experimental Film
Best Animation
Best Health and Medicine
Best Travel
Best Artist Film
Best Comedy
Best Dance Film
Best Green & Environment
Best Fashion
Best Family Friendly
Best Thriller
Best Horror
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Original Score
Best Sound Design
Best Historical Film

Honorable Mentions

All winners receive a certificate (pdf/jpg file)

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms

Film Length

Films under 45 minutes are generally considered short films, while films over 40 minutes may also qualify as feature films. For films between 40 and 45 minutes, filmmakers may choose the category that best fits their work when submitting.

Language & Subtitles

Films in all languages are welcome. Films that are not in English or German should include English subtitles.

Rights & Permissions

By submitting, filmmakers confirm that they hold all necessary rights for their film, including music, images, footage, and any third-party material. Films with copyright issues may be withdrawn from consideration.

Multiple Submissions

Filmmakers may submit more than one film. A film may also be submitted to multiple categories when appropriate.

Screening Permission

Films will not be publicly screened without the filmmaker’s written permission.

By submitting, filmmakers allow the festival to use trailers, clips, posters, and stills for promotional purposes.

Screening Schedule

The festival decides the final screening schedule. Longer films and documentaries may be programmed in afternoon slots rather than evening screenings, depending on the venue and programme structure.

Winners & Screenings

Winning films are eligible for public screening at festival events. Screening dates are coordinated with filmmakers and may depend on venue availability.

Submission Format

Films should be submitted in a good-quality digital format suitable for cinema projection, such as MP4 or MOV. Films with incomplete files, very low resolution, or major technical issues may not be considered for screening.

Judging

Films are evaluated based on creativity, storytelling, originality, and technical quality. The jury may include both internal and external members with international backgrounds. All decisions are final.

Notification

Filmmakers will be notified by email on the official notification date. Winners and selected filmmakers will receive further details about awards and possible screenings after notification.

105 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • David Marshall Marshall

    Proud to have been selected for this prestigious festival! Perfect all the way around.

    June 2026
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  • Ava Della Pietra

    I'm honored and thrilled to have won the award for "Best Music Video" for my music video, "Marionette!" Thank you to everyone at the Berlin Indie Film Festival for considering my work and for providing such a wonderful experience.

    May 2026
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  • Emmanuelle LEGENDRE

    Je remercie ce festival pour son intérêt pour Nos refuges. Mais je n'ai pas eu d'autres nouvelles de leur part ensuite, sauf une réponse à mon mail qui invitait à une rencontre. Ce n'était pas très clair pour moi de savoir si le film allait être montré à des spectateurs, que ce soit en ligne ou lors d'une projection en salle.

    May 2026
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  • Zac La Roc

    Wonderful festival. Eclectic taste curated to perfection. Not clout chasing - just lovers of cinema.

    April 2026
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  • Joshua Meszaros

    The Berlin Indie Film Festival is a wonderfully organized event that provides a reliable platform for independent filmmakers. We are truly grateful for awarding our feature documentary Tango with the Wolf the title of Best Mobile Feature Film.
    This recognition means a great deal to us, and we are very proud to receive your award. Our documentary was created to give a voice to people living with addiction and impulse control disorders. We deeply appreciate the opportunity to help bring awareness to this important topic.
    Thank you for supporting our work and helping it reach a wider audience.

    April 2026
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