The Zebra Poetry Film Festival is a project of the Haus für Poesie and has been running since 2002. It is a platform for short films based on poetry – the poetry films. Every year it offers poets, filmmakers and festival organizers from all over the world a platform for creative exchange, brainstorming and encounters with a broad audience. With a competition, film programs, poetry readings, retrospectives, exhibitions, performances, workshops, colloquia, lectures and a children's program, it presents the diversity of the poetry film genre in various sections.

In general, short films tell short stories or surprise us with experimental images and sounds. Poetry films, on the other hand, deal with poetry in terms of content, aesthetics and form. Because of its high mediality, poetry is a cross-section of the arts that film uses to create trans-media art. As a genre-transcending form that appeals to a wide audience, the poetry film is an excellent vehicle for presenting the diversity of poetry.

Awards & Prizes

The jury, consisting of Irina Bondas (Berlinale Forum selection committee), Katrin Küchler (editor at MDR – unicato), and Odile Kennel (poet), awarded the three prizes, each worth €3,000.
1. The “RITTER SPORT Film Award,” sponsored by Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co KG, with a Award of 3,000 euros.
2. The “Goethe Film Award – The Art of Utopia,” sponsored by the Goethe-Institut and carrying a Award of 3,000 euros.
3. The “Zebra Award for Best Poetry Film,” sponsored by the Haus für Poesie and worth 3,000 euros.

Rules & Terms

1. The organizer and promoter of the Zebra Poetry Film Festival is the Haus für Poesie.

2. Eligible for entry are international films which are no more than 12 minutes in duration and were produced in or after 2024. All films submitted for entry must be audio-visual versions of one or more poems. All languages are allowed.

3. Deadline to enter is February 1, 2026. Entries must include: film file (MP4 or MOV), German or English translation of the poem(s) with indication of the source, published by title and publisher and, if available, the name of the translator(s). (PDF, Word), a digital film still (JPEG or TIFF, HiRes Foto), very brief content summary of max. 200 characters incl. spaces (Log Line), biography (poet), biography and filmography (director). All texts must be provided in digital form. Pay attention to the exact formatting of poems (upper/lower case, stanzas, line breaks etc.). All submitted films which comply with the rules will automatically be considered for selection for the competition and the various programs.

4. A program committee will select the films for the International Competition and recommend to the festival director films which could be shown in other programs in the festival. A jury comprising representatives from the worlds of poetry, film and media will decide on the award of the principal prizes. Persons involved in the production and utilisation of any competition entry may not be members of the jury.

5. The festival reserves the right to screen films longer than 12 minutes. The acceptable screening format is MP4 or MOV. English subtitles are required on the screening copies of selected films only.

6. The decision of the jury is made by a simple majority. The jury shall deliberate and vote in private and its members shall be bound by the obligation of secrecy.

7. The prize money will be paid to the directors by bank transfer or PayPal.

8. All entrants will be notified by email of the results of the screening by April 1, 2026. Please make sure your email address is correct and legible. No inquiries regarding the selection process will be answered prior to this date. No film may be withdrawn from the Competition program once its participation has been confirmed by the Festival as of April 1, 2026.

9. By submitting your entry for the festival, you acknowledge these rules.

10. By submitting your entry, you confirm that you have ensured that third parties involved in the production also consent to the film’s submission for the festival.

11. By submitting your entry, you consent to the broadcasting of clips (video and audio up to 90 seconds) for use in news reports by journalists and for Zebra Poetry Film Festival advertising
purposes.
62 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Value
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  • Shiva Bafahm

    The Marvelous and high quality festival.

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Shiva Bafahm,
    Thank you so much for your kind words. Your film really impressed the audience.
    Your Zebras

  • Adrien Lhoste

    I’m very happy that my short film 'You're not a fool, Grandpa' was screened at the festival! Kudos for the great communication and the quality of the selection!

    June 2026
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  • Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation

    What a lovely, communicative team of folks at Zebra. This festival offered excellent curation and organization. We're sad we couldn't attend in person, and grateful for the recognition of our film!

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear team of Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation,
    Thank you very much for your kind words; they mean a lot to all of us. We always strive to ensure that all festival participants feel comfortable and enjoy the festival. We look forward to seeing more great films from you.
    Your Zebras

  • l jo

    We enjoy your kind support and consideration. Our work being selected by ZEBRA Poetry Film Festival inspires us on our journey. Thank you for sharing with your audience and screening WATER at such an exceptional place in the center of Berlin. All the best to all of you!
    Thank you for keeping WATER flowing.
    Lars, Mariela, Elsye & Manuel

    November 2025
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  • Christen Bach

    It was a super sweet festival with an extremely well curated program. A lot more word focused than most film festivals, and so much fun to hang out with a good mix of filmmakers, poets and word-fetishists.

    June 2025
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