up-and-coming Intern. Film Festival Hannover

1.) This is a discovery festival, a place to meet and a springboard for young talents up to the age of 27 years from Germany and all over the world. Important: Please don't forget to indicate the year of birth of the director in your submission. The age of the director in the year of production is decisive.
2.) Applicants may enter one or more works.
3.) There are no limitations regarding the subject or duration of your film.
4.) Completion Date: after the 1st of January 2024.
5.) There are 2 categories a film can be submitted to: the international competition for films from all countries except Germany and the national competition for films only from Germany.
6.) The director and the team of each selected film are invited to a meeting with the audience and all members of the jury (in person or digital).
7.) German Competition: It is mandatory in the German Competition, that at least one person from the team is present at the screening of the film. We pay for your lodging (2 people) during the festival.
8.) International Competition: If you can travel sutainably to Hanover, we very welcome you to the festival and pay for your lodging (2 people) during the festival. Otherwise we recommend your digital participation. You will get the details, if you are nominated.
If you have not the possibility to travel sutainably to Hanover, you can nevertheles take part on our online-panels and -workshops. Even if you are not nominated.

We will do everything in our power to create a warm and familiar atmosphere at the festival (digitally and on the venue) as ever.

The festival is both a German and an international competition. Each selected film and its director will be introduced by the festival presenters.

At the end of the festival, the live jury will award prizes: 'UP-AND-COMING INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARD' in the international competition and 'Deutscher Nachwuchsfilmpreis' (GERMAN NEWCOMER AWARD) and 'Bundes-Schülerfilm-Preis' (FEDERAL STUDENT AWARD up to the age of 19) in the national competition.

The philosophy of this festival is: Just be yourself. trust yourself. Have your own visions and create without limitations.

We invite young directors not older than 27 years from all countries to submit their films (produced either alone or in groups). The age of the director in the year of production is decisive. Applicants may enter one or more works.

All works must have been completed after the 1st of January 2024. If the original language of the film is neither English or German, the film should be subtitled in English.
The selection criteria do not emphasize technical perfection but originality, autonomy of the concept and how the concept has been translated into film.

The participant guarantees that by using the film in the context of the up-and-coming Int. Film Festival Hannover 2025, no rights of third parties (picture, sound and music), including persons depicted in the film, are infringed.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Diego Oliva Tejeda

Thank you so much for selecting our short film Apocalíptica and for awarding it as one of the best shorts in the German competition. I had the privilege of attending the festival in 2023 and again in 2025, and it truly changed my life. At a time when I was not in the best mental state, and when the political climate feels harsh and the filmmaking industry increasingly uncertain, it was deeply inspiring and uplifting to encounter people who genuinely love telling stories and believe in the power of moving images. Watching films by so many passionate young filmmakers reminds me why we make movies in the first place, and I always leave this festival feeling motivated. The staff is warm and welcoming, the communication is excellent, the accommodations are very comfortable, and the film selection is consistently exciting. I feel truly honored to have been part of the festival, and I believe it is essential that spaces like this continue to exist, especially at a time when artistic expression faces so many challenges.I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to apply to Up and Coming. Keep up the wonderful work.

January 2026

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Nik Azad

Very lovely festival with dedicated people behind it. We watched some great films and met some great people! What I also really appreciated was that very young filmmakers come together with “more experienced” ones and have the possibility to chat together. They also push your film via social media a lot and give you great opportunities for future work, should you win one of the awards, but also even just when your film is being shown at the festival!

January 2026

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Robert Decani

An outstanding festival with some of the most dedicated people behind it. I’ve attended the screenwriting competition twice and now experienced the filmmaking competition for the first time. That alone speaks volumes. I always love coming back and feel truly grateful to be invited each time.

January 2026

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Santhosh Murugesan

Had an awesome time at the 2025 Up-and-Coming Film Festival in Hannover! Big thanks to the festival team for bringing us over from Australia with our film DESTINATION SOPHIE. The festival had such great vibes, and I got to meet so many talented filmmakers and actors from all over the world. Can’t wait to be back someday!

December 2025

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Ava Azarmi

Such a wonderful festival! There were many opportunities to talk to filmmakers, the event was so well-organized, and the screenings were truly incredible across the board. Very grateful to have been selected!

December 2025

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