“One of the World's Leading Indie Film Fests” - The Hollywood Reporter

Rated among the top 5 Film Festivals worldwide for Independent Films by American film critic Chris Gore in his esteemed “Ultimate Film Festival Guide”, and ranked “Top 25 Coolest Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker, Oldenburg has fostered its success with a strong commitment to innovative and Independent filmmaking.

“If there's anything that could be considered the Promised Land of Independent Cinema in Europe today, it is Oldenburg.” - Accred - L'actualité des festivals de cinéma

Labelled ‘the German Sundance’ by Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and Screen International, amongst others, Oldenburg has evolved while preserving its intimate atmosphere and founding purpose: to celebrate and support the diverse voices and visions of independent filmmakers, to honor the creativity of the artists upon which the Festival depends, and to create a unique experience and inspiring meeting place for filmmakers, audiences, and media professionals.

“Oldenburg - renown for its determination, cinephilia, and openness for the extremes - impresses with its brilliant programming.” - GRIP

Additionally, in an effort to raise awareness and build bridges between worlds through the common language of film, Oldenburg is the only Film Festival in the world that annually screens part of its regular program to incarcerated individuals who share the experience with members of the general public in an actual high-security Prison environment, known as ‘The Alcatraz of the North’.

“Oldenburg thrives as a discovery channel.” - Screen International

In addition to supporting the discovery of new artists, Oldenburg has hosted the German Premieres of films by such acclaimed filmmakers as Darren Aronofsky, Brian De Palma, Steven Soderbergh, Michael Polish, Johnnie To, Chan-wook Park, Monte Hellmann, & Takeshi Kitano amongst others. Guests of honor have included Jim McBride, Larry Clark, Philippe de Broca, Andrzej Zulawski, Ken Russell, Jerry Schatzberg, James Toback, Radley Metzger, Ted Kotcheff, Phedon Papmichael, George Armitage, Christophe Honoré, Edward R. Pressman, Bruce Robinson, William Friedkin, Ovidio Assonitis, and Peter & John Hyams who have all attended the festival for Retrospectives of their work.

“Just as impressive as the films was the festival itself, which, under the inspired direction of Torsten Neumann, combined intelligent cinephilia with a laid-back atmosphere of democratic equality.” - Sight and Sound

Nicolas Cage, Seymour Cassel, Asia Argento, Keira Knightley, Deborah Kara Unger, Mira Sorvino, Bobcat Goldthwait, Michael Wadleigh, Joanna Cassidy, Luke Wilson, Ben Gazzara, Stacy Keach, Amanda Plummer, Keith Carradine, Matthew Modine, Sean Baker, Andrea Rau, Mattie Do, Noémie Merlant, Jen Gatien & Isild Le Besco are amongst many who have attended as honored guests or for Tributes in their honor.

“Alongside Venice and Toronto, Oldenburg is considered one of the most important Autumn Festivals for Independent Cinema” - de Telegraaf

Rated #1 in Germany on The Most Important Autumn Film Festivals List for and by the German Film Industry (Blickpunkt Film), and #3 internationally after Venice & TIFF, Oldenburg is regarded as “one of the most important European festivals for independent cinema" (Tagesschau).

“Oldenburg is a pilgrimage for cineastes.”- Die Zeit

Awards & Prizes

German Independence Award - Best Film
German Independence Award - Best Short Film
German Independence Award - Originality, Daring, and Audacity
German Independence Award - Spirit of Cinema
Seymour Cassel Award - Outstanding Performance
Hans Ohlms Award - Best First Feature

Rules & Terms

1. General Information

The Oldenburg International Film Festival is a non-competitive film festival, curated to provide a platform for unique discoveries and the bold and innovative works of both established and emerging filmmakers worldwide. With a tradition of covering film in all its aspects, feature films, short films and documentaries of all origins are embraced.

2. Key Dates and Submission Deadlines

The 32nd Oldenburg International Film Festival takes place from September 10-14, 2025.

There are three submission deadlines:
Earlybird: Friday 28 March 2025
Regular: Friday 23 May 2025
Late: Friday 13 June 2025
*Please note – submission fees are non-refundable

3. Festival Sections

Festival sections include the following categories:
Independent, International, Midnite Xpress, Shorts, Retrospective, Tribute.

4. Selection of Films and Notification

The Oldenburg International Film Festival selection committee decides which films will participate in the Festival. The committee's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Selected films will be notified by August 22, 2025, approximately.

5. Film Length

Submitted short films should not be longer than 49 minutes; submitted feature films must be longer than 49 minutes.

6. Screening Format

For screening purposes DCP, Blu-ray, H264 file all PAL European standard.

7. Entry and Eligibility

At the time of entry (if not submitted via FilmFreeway) a preview DVD (PAL or NTSC) should be sent at the sender's expense to:
Oldenburg International Film Festival
Lange Strasse 53
26122 Oldenburg
Germany
or via a secure link to: submissions@filmfest-oldenburg.de

Along with the screener we welcome you to send us the following material:
* a detailed synopsis of the film
* the biography, filmography and a recent photo of the director
* photographs or transparencies of the film
* press materials and posters
* a listing of participation and awards received at any other film festivals.

The Festival is not responsible for returning support material and DVDs.

To be eligible for consideration, submissions must meet the following requirements:

* All films must be available in German, English or with English subtitles if not in German or English.

* Films must NOT have been (or will not be) broadcast on television or publicly distributed or made available online in Germany before the Festival dates.

8. Awards

The "German Independence Award – Best Film"
All films selected for the Independent section are nominated for the award. The award is voted for by cinemagoers attending public screenings.

The "German Independence Award – Originality, Daring, and Audacity"
The award is decided by an international jury of film professionals appointed by the Advisory Board and Festival Director.

The "German Independence Award – Spirit of Cinema"
The award is decided by an international jury of film professionals appointed by the Advisory Board and Festival Director.

The “Seymour Cassel Award- Outstanding Performance ”
Named in homage to indie icon and longtime Festival friend and supporter, Seymour Cassel, the award honors a Female and Male actor for ‘Outstanding Performance’. All performances by artists in films selected for competition in the Independent Section are eligible for nomination. The awards are decided by an international jury of film professionals appointed by the Advisory Board and Festival Director.

The "German Independence Award – Best Short Film"
All films selected for the Short Film section are nominated for the award. The award is decided by a jury of film professionals appointed by the Festival Director.

The "Hans Olhms Award - Best First Feature"
Inaugurated in 2023, all first feature films are nominated for the award. The award is decided by an international jury of film professionals appointed by the Festival Director and the Board of Directors of the Hans Ohlms Foundation.

Note: Winners of the above awards consent to include the logo of the Festival and corresponding award laurels when advertising the film (i.e) on posters and in advertisements.

9. Shipping – for selected films only

If selected, the exhibition copy of your film must be available for shipment from August 22, 2025.

The Festival agrees to cover the cost of shipping and insuring prints/hard drives in both directions. The exceptions are shipment to or from other festivals, in which case standard practice of cost sharing will apply. All prints/hard drives will be returned to the address indicated by the sender within three weeks of the last day of the Festival.

10. Liability

In case of loss or damage to a print/hard drive, the obligation of the Festival is limited to compensating the producer or distributor only to the cost of making a new print. Prints/Hard drives are fully insured during the period of possession by the Oldenburg International Film Festival, normal wear and tear excepted.

The Festival Director has the right to rule on all cases not foreseen by these regulations as well as allowing for exceptions. By submitting the entry form the assigned accepts these regulations.

24 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • MARCO GIANFREDA

    The Oldenburg International Film Festival is one of the best festivals I've ever been to.
    The organization is perfect from the first email exchanges, as is the hospitality and attention to detail. Thanks to the approach of director Torsten Neumann and his talented collaborators, it feels like you become part of a very vital and friendly independent cinema community. Furthermore, the level of the films selected is very high. Another important thing is the ability of this festival to gather the interest of the local population, who are curious and interested in participating in the film screenings.
    Happy and proud to have been part of this unforgettable experience with my debut feature film "Three Infallible Rules". It makes you want to make another film right away so you can go back. Thank you Torsten, thank you Katharina, thank you Marie.

    February 2025
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  • Alexandrea Meyer

    I first attended Oldenburg in 2023 with the feature film "Beautiful Friend," directed by Truman Kewley. It was my first and, to this day, my most memorable film festival thus far. I was honored to receive the Seymour Cassel Award for Best Actress—a surprise nomination I only found out about 45 minutes before the ceremony! That recognition was just the cherry on top of a week filled with exceptional films and a community of the most loving, supportive, and creative filmmakers I've ever met.

    Returning in 2024 with my directorial debut, "Love You Forever," was a dream come true. Thank you, Torsten, Deb, and the Oldenburg team, for creating the most extraordinary community of independent filmmakers and continuing its evolution over the past 31 years. What a feat :)

    You come to Oldenburg with a movie and leave Oldenburg with a community. How special is that?

    October 2024
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  • Maurice O Carroll

    The best film festival in the world!! Fact! I can’t wait to go back. Torsten and the entire team were so welcoming! What a perfectly run festival!! We were honoured to screen our film Swing Bout there!!! Such talent, hospitality and parties!!! Just wow!! Thank you so much from all of us in Ireland! Much love xx Sinéad

    September 2024
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  • Yinglu_FilmNav - Kathy

    I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Oldenburg International Film Festival for their exceptional professionalism, attentiveness, and friendliness. The support we received for our independent film, A Wasted Night, was truly remarkable. We felt an unprecedented level of care and encouragement throughout the festival.

    This festival stands out as one of the best in Germany, celebrating diversity in cinema and providing a welcoming environment for filmmakers. Thank you for shining a spotlight on our work and for all the incredible experiences. We are truly honored to be part of this wonderful event!

    September 2024
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  • Michael J. Long

    Thank you to Oldenburg International Film Festival, to Torsten and all his team for an unforgettable experience. A truly unique and wonderful time that I will never forget, a true indie film festival. The support and desire to help filmmakers is amazing.

    September 2024
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