„The Woodstock of Short Film“. Ever since a British film magazine first used this expression to describe the unique atmosphere of the Open Air Filmfest Weiterstadt, a lot of things have changed. Digital screening formats were established, the number of submitted films grew steadily and supporting events like a short film poetry slam, an animation workshop and a workshop for children were added. However, the festival’s basic idea remains the same: A large and enthusiastic audience gathers to watch inventive and creative films not limited to a certain style, production method or format. Filmmakers from all around the world present their films in person and answer questions. Live bands, local German beer and street food help to create the typical „Weiterstadt feeling“. To ensure that in our 50th year we can once again present our audience with a top-notch program, we are looking for your creative works.
There are no limitations in genre. We are mainly a shortfilm festival. So if you have produced something that should be seen by others, send it to us! Deadline is April 30th, 2026, but due to the vast number of submissions, we are happy about every film that arrives earlier. Originality and diversity, thrilling and exciting productions are extremely important to us. Regulations and entry forms can be found below. As there are different application procedures for bands, VJs, installations or performances we advise you to get in touch with us first. You can also sent us your film directly without a fee. Information how to submit your (short)film directly can be found at our website.

Awards & Prizes

There is one prize for Super 8: The Weiterstädter Filmhirsch

Rules & Terms

1. More information about the submission you can find at: https://www.filmfest-weiterstadt.de
2. Due to the large number of submissions in previous years we have to restrict the length of films. If your film is longer than 45 minutes please contact us before submitting it.
3. Films have to be produced in the year 2024, 2025 or 2026. It is not allowed to send the same films a second time.
4. For viewing copies a dialogue list may be sufficient, if pre-arranged with the festival.
5. Please attach a film still and short summary for the catalogue also as files (up to 700 characters including spaces in German or/ and English).
6. Viewing and projection copies / files with relevant dialogue must be in German or English language or must have German or English subtitles.
7. There is sometimes a possibility to submit your film without a fee for the filmmakers, please contact us via e-mail. Please read our rules at www.filmfest-weiterstadt.de.
8. Only Super 8 films can also be sent as film for the selection jury, if you don´t have any DVD / digital file of them. If you send the film from outside the EU, please mark it with: For cultural purpose only. Viewing copy for the selection jury. No commercial value.
9. The person or institution submitting the film is responsible for clearing all rights to the content of the work relevant to the films use by the Festival. By submitting, they state that they are authorized representatives thereof, i. e. that screening or other use of the film by the Festival does not infringe rights held by third parties (e. g. copyrights, personality or trademark rights), and that especially the rights to any material produced by others (music, film footage, photographs, text etc.) used in the film have been cleared. They furthermore shall indemnify the Filmfest Weiterstadt against all third-party claims in connection with screening/using the film in the course of the Festival. This includes covering any legal costs that might be incurred.
10. We will inform you for all films if they are selected or not. We try to do so as soon as possible, but please be aware that it takes time to watch all the submissions and cannot give information about the selection before we have seen all the films.
11. The shipping of selected films to the festival may be done as download or via courier. If it is done with courier, the festival covers only one way of shipping, either towards the festival or the return shipping / shipping to the next festival. Please do not send projection copies before receiving shipping information from the festival office.
12. The projection copy has to arrive at the festival by 25th of July.
13. The festival does pay a fee for the screenings if it is possible.
14. The festival supports filmmakers who visit the festival and present their selected films with some financial travel aid. However we are not able to pay the full travel costs. If films are selected, we will send more informations about that issue. Please do not make any travel arrangements before you get that information.
15. At the end of the festival there are some „best of“ screenings of selected films. The films for the „best of“ screening in Weiterstadt at the festival area are selected by the audience. The films for the „best of“ screenings in Darmstadt at the „Centralstation“ and Dresden are selected by a jury from the festival.

13 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • gustavo arteaga

    Great festival. Super welcoming and well organised. May it continue to thrive in years to come.

    October 2025
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  • Giorgos Efthimiou

    The most cool festival I have ever been!

    September 2025
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  • Rene Nuijens

    Great, super fun, open air venue. Thanks so much for selection our short film: 'Covid Love'! Till next!

    August 2025
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  • Joey Arand

    Ich habe es leider dieses Jahr nicht geschafft selbst zu gehen, aber der Kontakt mit dem Team ist immer sehr zuvorkommend und professionell und meine Freund*innen, die da waren, fanden das Festival toll. Danke, dass ihr unseren Film gezeigt habt!

    August 2025
    Helpful
  • Lutz P. Kayser

    7 von 5 Sternen für dieses unglaublich sympathische Festival. Als Filmemacher fühlt man sich durch tgl. Lunch, Getränkegutscheine, Fahrtkostenerstattung und fantastische Projektion vor tollem Publikum einfach sehr, sehr wertgeschätzt. Vielen Dank, meine Starenschwärme und ich haben ihre Runden auf der Leinwand sehr genossen!

    August 2025
    Helpful