The submission phase for the 36th edition of the FilmFestival Cottbus is now open.
From April 1 to July 15, 2026, filmmakers are invited to submit their feature and short films from Eastern, East-Central, and Southeastern Europe. The festival will take place from November 3 to November 8, 2026.
As one of the leading festivals for Central and Eastern European cinema, FilmFestival Cottbus presents up to 150 films over the course of six days. With total prize money exceeding €50,000 – including €34,500 in the three main competitions (feature film, short film, and youth film) – it offers an outstanding platform for ambitious filmmakers.
The submission deadline is July 15, 2026. Late submissions may be considered in exceptional cases. Films can be submitted via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/FilmFestivalCottbus.
For inquiries, please contact our program coordinators Merlin Webers and Vita Khmyz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..