Amateur Film Festival WIPE is created to give viewers the opportunity to watch films of different genres made by non-professionals, who in turn will be able to meet with their audience.

The word “amateur” comes from the Latin word “amo”, “to love”, and that love for cinema is at the heart of all the works that we show in our film festival. This love not only replaces the film-education for their authors, but also exempts them from all sorts of boundaries, which an education creates. So the amateur films for us is not a conceptual format of the film festival. It is a search for the new film language, which can exist just outside of industrial schemes of production and distribution.

Rules & Terms

There are only two basic requirements for participation:

No formal film education (film schools, film academies, etc.)

Maximum film length: 21 minutes

All genres, formats, styles, budgets, and technical approaches are welcome. Polished or messy, scripted or accidental. We don’t care.

English subtitles are required for all films.

By submitting a film to WIPE Berlin, filmmakers agree that, if selected:

The film may be streamed on the WIPE website during the festival dates, as part of the official festival program.

The film may be shown at additional non-commercial WIPE screenings, such as Best of WIPE events in other cities or venues.

These screenings are curated and organized by WIPE Berlin only and are intended solely for festival and promotional purposes. All rights remain with the filmmakers.

Stay amateur. Stay weird. Surprise us.
25 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rolf Höhne

    This was the second time one of my films was included. Thank you so much! Hope to see you soon.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Rolf, thank you for your positive feedback and participation in our festival! It means a lot to us!

  • Dimitri Frixou

    WIPE Berlin was a fantastic experience, cozy enough to meet the owner and you get a real feeling that they love putting this event on. If you want to experience what Berlin is really like I'd fully recommend entering this festival.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your encouraging comment and support, Dimitri! We eagerly anticipate seeing your upcoming projects!

  • Alexander Reichardt

    Thank you for organizing this great event at a beautiful venue and for giving visibility to all these films! I very much enjoyed my time in Berlin!

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Alexander, thanks for your positive feedback! It was great meeting you in person!

  • Dan Kelin

    Although I was not able to be there in person, I appreciated the timely communication and care the hosts shared with me. I appreciated having the opportunity to be included and well cared for.

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Dan, thanks for your positive feedback and for participating our festival!

  • Josef Zorn

    Thanks that I could be part of your great spirit and program. The world needs more of people like you.

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Josef, thanks for your great film. We were delighted to have your work in our program!