We are a festival for independent and underground films in Hamburg, Germany

We are back for a second year, with an extra screening day and a new section. All selected films will be shown in screenings open to the public on 31.01.2026 und 01.02.2026 at the B-Movie Cinema, a local community theatre. The cinema is centrally located and easy to reach, close to many bars, restaurants and clubs.

We are open to all genres, what we are looking for are films that are as unusual as possible and filmmakers with strong voices. Films that surprise us, make us laugh or cry. Underground and experimental films that challenge and disturb. Films that you just have to talk about afterwards. Anything but ordinary!

A jury from the city will view the films with the audience during the screenings and then make their decision. There are prizes for the best feature film and the best short film.

Of course, a festival doesn't just live from its films; we want to invite filmmakers to take part in the festival, to network and to present their films to the audience and jury.

New Section: Trigger Warning.

In our new section we want to try an experiment and show the most extreme films that are submitted to us - which may be a bit too harsh for the average audience. The Danger Zone Team will pick the "Trigger Warning" films from the regular submissions.

Awards & Prizes

There will be 5 awards:

A jury will view the films with the audience during the screenings and then make their decision. There are prizes for the best feature film, the best short film, best Hamburg film, & the most dangerous Film.

For our new "Trigger Warning" Section there will be an audience award.

The awards are purely symbolic and do not come with a cash prize.

Rules & Terms

All submissions are watched and considered, Illegible or incomplete entry forms will not be accepted. The entry fees are not refundable and do not guarantee placement in the festival.

Each applicant may submit as many projects as he wants, they must be submitted separately.

Running time for all shorts: 40 minutes and under.
Running time for feature films: 40 - 500 minutes.

All submissions must contain burnt in English subtitles if shot in a different language!

By submitting their contribution, the submitter confirms that they have all the necessary rights to all material. The submitter holds the festival harmless from external claims/costs (in particular legal or court costs)/lawsuits and losses of any kind - including from third parties. We do not pay any film royalties!

The Filmfestival reserve the full rights to use submitted content (including name, logo, trailer, posters and clips) of the selected film for screening (or streaming), presentation of awards and promotion.

Participants of the festival agree to not hold the festival responsible for any losses, damages, rights, claims and actions of any kind in connection with the event or resulting from acceptance, possession or use of any prize. We reserve the right to make changes to the rules and conditions or the timing of the event.

We stand for freedom and diversity and want to make the festival a safe place for guests from all over the world. Racism, sexism, anti-LGBTQ or other exclusions of any kind have no place at Danger Zone Festival!
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Steffen Holzkamp

    You organized a great festival. Thank you very much. When reading the reviews, I really regret not being able to be there. Good luck to you for the next few years!

    March 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Steffen. Your film was very well received. We would love to meet you in person next year. :)

  • Benjamin Huber

    What a lovely Festival! Great People, great movies. It was awesome!

    February 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Benjamin!

  • Dorothea Kuenzig

    What a great, charming, relaxed and exciting festival! Well organized and super connected in the Danger Zone of St. Pauli! I hope to see you again next year!

    February 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Dorothea. We hope to see you too next year! :)

  • Emilie Girardin

    Danger Zone has been a great meeting point for international and local independent filmmakers, where we could share our passion in a very friendly and respectful atmosphere.

    February 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Emilie!

  • Milena Biesel

    Great little festival in Hamburg! Really sweet people and lots of opportunities for getting to know eachother and networking :)
    Also very interesting mixture of films and filmmakers!
    Would love to attend again :)

    February 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Milena!