KFFK traces ongoing tendencies in the work of young talents and offers a platform for its presentation and discussion with an engaged audience and industry representatives. The festival's main section, the German competition, showcases the possibilities of narrative, documentary, animation and experimental shorts.

In further sections the festival offers looks at different regional and thematic focuses. The "New Aesthetic" program features a look at new digital tendencies in short film. Screenings and workshops specifically directed towards children complete the program.

Entries for the main competition is for German productions and co-productions only. International entries are possible for New Aesthetic, 360°/VR and Shorts For Kids sections only.

Seit 2006 veranstalten der Kurzfilmfreunde e.V. das Kurzfilmfestival Köln/KFFK und bietet NRWs Medienmetropole ein lebendiges und dauerhaftes Forum für den unabhängigen Kurzfilm. Das Kurzfilmfestival Köln verfolgt aktuelle Tendenzen des ästhetischen und narrativen Schaffens junger Talente und versteht sich als Präsentations- und Diskussionsplattform für junge Filmemacher, ein debattierfreudiges Publikum und Branchenvertreter.

Awards & Prizes

The sum total of the prizes for the 2025 edition is about 15.000 €

AWARDS:

German Competition:
- 1. Jury Award - 3.500 € awarded in cooperation with SK Stiftung Kultur
- 2. Jury Award - Cologne Producers' Award – 2.600 €
- 3. Jury Award: 1 day colour grading
- Audience-Award: 850 € provided by Cineville
- WDR Award worth up to 5.000 €

Cologne Shorts/Kölner Fenster:
- equipment rental worth 1.500 € from Finder Media Kameraverleih
- WDR Award worth up to 5.000 €

VR/360°:
- VR Award

*subject to change/last years awards listed as estimates*

Rules & Terms

1. General Conditions
The competition is open to all film or video formats and doesn't commit to cinematic forms, themes or genres. Films that are not selected for the competition, can be considered for screenings in special program. The participation of the film at the festival can be canceled until the beginning of the eighth week before the start of the festival.

2. Organization
The Short Film Festival of Cologne is organized by the Kurzfilmfreunde Köln e.V. The festival is funded by the city of Cologne, the Film- and Media Foundation NRW and the Ministry for Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine- Westphalia.

3. Submissions for preselections
Closing date for film submissions is August 1st. The running length of the film should not be longer than 45 minutes and the date of completion should be in the year of the festival or in the prior year. Only completed films may participate. The submissions can only be made by submitting a digital screener via https://filmfreeway.com/KFFKfestival/

German Competition: Only films with the production site located in Germany are admitted. German co-productions are also accepted.
Cologne Shorts: Films with production site located in Cologne are accepted, submitted films are automatically considered for selection for the German Competition
360°/VR, Shorts For Kids & New Aesthetic: international productions accepted.

4. Accepted film formats
The screening copy of the film can be a DCP, 16mm or 35mm. Films in German should have subtitles in English, films in English should have subtitles in German. If the original language of the film is neither German nor English, the film should be subtitled in in English.

5. The selection
The entrants of the selected films will be contacted by email in mid-september. After that, the selected films will be published on the website of the KFFK. After the invitation to the program, the entrant has to complete the application form with a short synopsis, a crew list, biography and filmography of the director and stills. Without the proper submission of this form the film selection will not be complete.

6. Awards
The festival will give out three jury awards and one audience award in the German Competition, one audience award in the Cologne Shorts and one jury award in the 360°/VR Competition. In addition to the jury and audience awards, there is also the WDR award. This award consist of a purchase by these TV stations. For this reason, the films participating in this competition, have still to be the holders of the broadcasting rights. The awarded films will be shown again in two reruns.

7. Video Library
During the festival, all the selected film might be made available for the professional visitors, except otherwise agreed in writing four weeks before the festival. The Video Library can be used freely by all accredited persons. The participation is free of charge

8. Recognition of the regulations
Any participation in the KFFK festival presupposes recognition by the participant of the present regulations. Any special cases not adequately covered under the terms of the regulations shall be decided by the festival management.
9 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Gargantua Film Distribution

    Thank you so much for screening the films from our distribution! Hoping to be back next year.

    January 2025
    Helpful
  • Julia Jesionek

    Amazing selection, wonderful team! Thank you :~)

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Sverre Aune

    Thank you so much for a great experience! I was very well taken care of, and well accompanied to both academic and social events. The selection was very interesting, and the foot-soldiers of the festival great at recommending their own personal favorites and showing me around. I hope to return again with my next film.

    December 2022
    Helpful
  • Laurenz Otto

    There is a really lovely and passionate community in Cologne, which makes KFFK an overall great experience. This is not just about films, but also about the festival team which creates an open minded atmosphere and a true appreciation for shorts. THANK YOU!

    November 2022
    Helpful
  • Nicolas Gebbe

    This year was my second time at KFFK and again it was a great experience. The selection was wonderful and the networking/socializing events were well-visited and inspiring.
    The seamless communication and unparalleled hospitality make visits comfortable and fun.

    November 2022
    Helpful