dokumentART – European Film Festival
Neubrandenburg | 6-11 October 2026
In early October 2026, documentART – European Film Festival will once again take place in Neubrandenburg, Germany, bringing together filmmakers and audiences to engage with the pressing questions of our present and future.
At the heart of the festival lies a shared exploration of contemporary realities:
In which world are we heading? How do new technologies and artificial intelligence shape our lives? How do societies respond to ecological exhaustion, political crises, the rise of right-wing movements, social fragmentation, and changing forms of community?
These questions form the thematic framework of dokumentART 2026. The festival presents films that reflect on social transformation, lived realities, and future perspectives, while remaining deeply rooted in human experience.
Competition & Program Focus
The International Competition focuses on European short films that engage with these themes in innovative, cinematic ways. DokumentART welcomes documentary, fiction, and animated works that challenge genre boundaries and explore new narrative and aesthetic approaches.
In 2026, the competition is deliberately curated around clearly defined thematic blocks, allowing for deeper engagement with content and stronger dialogue between films and audiences. Mid-length films are no longer part of the competition.
Bridging Europe – A Trilateral Dialogue
The section Bridging Europe has been newly conceived as a dialogical format linking Germany, Poland, and France. Carefully paired short and feature-length films from these countries are presented together, creating thematic conversations across borders and strengthening the festival’s trilateral profile.
Regional & Contextual Programs
Alongside its international sections, dokumentART places strong emphasis on regional and historical perspectives, including:
- films from and about Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,
- curated programs engaging with **DDR and post-socialist (Post-Ost) histories,
- selected free screenings in public and cultural spaces, often accompanied by discussions, live music, or performative elements.
All screenings are complemented by Q&A sessions with filmmakers, moderated discussions, and encounters with local cultural actors.
Eligibility & Submission Guidelines
We warmly invite submissions from filmmakers and film students across Europe.
Accepted formats: documentary, fiction, animation, hybrid
Length:
The competition is dedicated to short films only, with a maximum running time of 30 minutes.
Subtitles:
All films must include English subtitles.
At dokumentART, we believe in dialogue between emerging voices and established filmmakers. We welcome submissions from first-time directors as well as from award-winning filmmakers and value the encounter between different generations, experiences, and artistic approaches—regardless of a film’s prior screening history.
By submitting a film, filmmakers accept the festival’s regulations and terms, which should be read carefully prior to submission.
Submission Period
Submissions open 25.02.2026 - 31.03.2026.
Filmmakers are invited to submit their work via FilmFreeway.
1. Latücht Award of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for the best film
The award is endowed with €5,000.
2. City of Neubrandenburg Award
This award honors the boldest film, distinguished by exceptional artistic and/or social ambition.
The award is endowed with €2,000.
3. Special Mention
A Special Mention may be awarded to a selected film. The prize consists of an attractive award sponsored by one of our partners (in the previous edition, this was an iPad).
4. dokumentART Audience Award
The Audience Award of dokumentART is endowed with €1,000.
