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Dear members of the press,

we are looking forward to your journalistic coverage of the FilmFestival Cottbus and wish to support your work to the best of our possibilities. Please contact our PR and marketing manager Marthe Gärtner for further information, interview requests and for broadcastable and printable material:

E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: +49 (0) 355/43107 -14

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Last updated: May 2018

The 35th FilmFestival Cottbus, a Festival of East European Cinema held annually since its establishment in 1991, will take place on November 4th – 9th 2025 in Cottbus.

Films can be submitted on FilmFreeway.

The deadline for film submission: July 15th 2025

REGULATIONS for the 35th FilmFestival Cottbus

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME SECTIONS

FEATURE FILM COMPETITIONThe Feature Film Competition is intended exclusively for feature length films from Eastern Europe and neighbouring countries (cf. territory) finalised as of January 1st, 2024 (including documentary and experimental works of a feature film nature) with a running time of no less than 50 minutes. The works preferred are expected to be the (co-)director’s first to fifth feature length film. Participation at feature film competition requires German premiere.

SHORT FILM COMPETITION The criteria for the short film competition are essentially the same, with the only difference being that only films with a maximum length of 30 minutes are permitted. German premiere is required.

U18 YOUTH FILM COMPETITIONThis Competition is open to current feature films from Eastern Europe and neighbouring countries (cf. territory) and Germany, which engage with youth-specific issues and are first and foremost aimed at young audiences. German contribution to the U18 competition should not yet have enjoyed a domestic screening. German premieres are preferred for all other works.

FURTHER SECTIONSAdditional programme sections include the annual categories ECO EAST, SPECTRUM, HITS, HEIMAT | DOMOWNJA | DOMIZNA, and CHILDREN’S FILM, as well as special sections. Graduate films and video works may also be considered on an individual basis. Films with a documentary style are eligible for these sections as well.

Documentaries and TV series are only included in the program by invitation and cannot be submitted.

TERRITORY

Feature films are eligible for submission if their producer or one of the co-producers and/or the director is based in Eastern Central and Eastern Europe (including all successor states of the former socialist countries whose capital was in Europe (Eastern Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Baltic States, the Caucasus, Central Asia) as well as Finland, Greece and Turkey, as well as feature films from other countries that thematically deal with aspects related to this territory.Attached is a list of all countries:Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany*, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.*) only for the sections Competition Youth Film and Heimat/Domownja/Domizna with a stronger focus on East German topics

FILM ENTRY

Documentaries and TV series are only included in the program by invitation and cannot be submitted.

Film entries can only be submitted digitally, physical submissions (hard disks, USB sticks, DVDs/BDs) will not be accepted and considered

The deadline for film submission is July 15th, 2025. In exceptional cases, late submissions may be considered upon agreement.Competition submissions should be available to the FilmFestival Cottbus in DCP format. In this respect the following DCI standards are to be met: File format Motion jpeg2000, minimum projector resolution of 2048×1080 pixels, XYZ colour space and linear PCM 24 audio. Provided preliminary agreement is in the place the following formats are permitted in the FilmFestival Cottbus’ further programme sections: HDCAM, Blu-Ray, Beta, 35mm.

The following entry materials must be submitted by all entries: a properly completed registration form including a screener link (e.g. Filmfreeway, Vimeo or YouTube, at all possible with German or English subtitles)

The following materials must be submitted by selection of the film into the programme: short biography of the director, as well as portrait photo and filmography (also for documentaries, short films and student films), a complete dialogue/text list (in German or English), still photographs and a film trailer

The submitter assures that they have the right to submit the film or act as an authorized representative of all rights holders.The submitter further guarantees that all rights necessary for the screening of the film within the festival framework have been clarified, particularly music rights, the right to one’s image, and the rights to any archival material used.The submitter is liable for any third-party claims made in connection with the screening of the film at the FilmFestival Cottbus.

FILM SELECTION AND NOMINATION

The FilmFestival Cottbus reserves the right to decide which films will be admitted to the individual programme sections and, in individual cases, make decisions which run contrary to the festival’s rules and regulations. Nominations for the programme competitions are decided upon by the festival programme direction in cooperation with consultants or a team of curators, whose vote is then passed on to the resprective applicant. Should a film be nominated for participation at the FilmFestival Cottbus and the producer/holder of rights consent there with, this consent may no longer be withdrawn.The FilmFestival Cottbus reserves the right to exclude a film in case of violation of the regulations.

TRANSPORT AND INSURANCE

The shipping of parcels from non-EU countries is to be agreed upon in advance with the FilmFestival Cottbus’ head of programme coordination. The shipping costs to the festival are to be borne by the sender; in turn the festival bears responsibility for the costs of return postage. All shipments from non-EU countries are to bear the imprint »No commercial value – for cultural purposes only« . Screening film prints are to reach the FilmFestival Cottbus at the undermentioned address by no later than September 15th, 2024. All films and materials submitted will be insured whilst in Cottbus, the insurance coverage limited to the costs of making a new copy of the relevant materials. The return consignment of films and materials, submitted without the agreement of the FilmFestival Cottbus, is the sole responsibility of the addressor.

ONLINE SCREENINGS

FilmFestival Cottbus reserves the right to cooperate with an external streaming service provider. Any negotiations for a streaming presence of submitted films will be conducted separately. The submitter is free to decide whether their film should be part of the streaming offer or not. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our program department (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 

AWARDS AND PRIZE MONEY(modifications reserved)

FEATURE FILM COMPETITION

The prizes are awarded by the International Festival Jury. The winners are honoured with prize money and the prize sculpture Lubina:

MAIN PRIZE FOR BEST FILM (equally divided between Dir./Prod.) 15.000,00 €(donated by Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg)

SPECIAL PRIZE FOR BEST DIRECTOR 7.500,00 €( donated by Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg rbb)

PRIZE FOR AN OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE 5.000,00 €(donated by Sparkasse Spree-Neiße)

SHORT FILM COMPETITION

The prizes are awarded by the Short Film Jury. The winners are honoured with prize money and the prize sculpture Lubina.:

Main prize for the BEST SHORT FILM 2.500,00 € (donated by Druckzone, Cottbus)

Special prize for the BEST DIRECTOR 1.500,00 €(donated by Tiede +)

U 18 YOUTH FILM COMPETITION

A student jury decides upon the allocation of the following award:

Prize for BEST YOUTH FILM 5.000,00 € (donated by City of Cottbus)

IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING MONETARY PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED:

DIALOGUE Prize for Intercultural Communication 2.000,00 € (donated by Rotary Club Cottbus)

Prize for BEST DEBUT 3.000,00 € (donated by BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and Film University Babelsberg "Konrad Wolf")

AUDIENCE AWARD 3.000,00 €(donated by Lausitzer Rundschaus)

FIPRESCI-Award of the Féderation Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique

Award of the ECUMENICAL JURY 3.000,00 € (donated SIGNIS und INTERFILM)

Award of the FOUNDATION FOR THE SORBIAN PEOPLE (spěchowańske myto załožby za serbski lud): 3.000,00 €(donated by Foundation for the Sorbian people)

PICK A STORY Audience Logline Award 1.000,00 €(donated by Film Center Serbia)

MIOB IN SHORTS Award 1.000,00 €(donated by MIOB – Moving Images – Open Borders)

AKCIJA! - the film promotion award (donated by the School of Lower Sorbian Language and Culture and the FilmFestival Cottbus)

(modifications for all awards & prizes reserved)

FINAL PROVISION

Submission of a film registration will be taken as acknowledgement of the above rules and regulations of the FilmFestival Cottbus.

POSTAL ADDRESS FOR SUBMISSIONS

FilmFestivalCottbus Karl-Marx-Straße 69 03044 Cottbus Germany

The FilmFestival Cottbus (FFC) is one of the leading international festivals of Eastern European film. It's next edition will take place from November 3rd to 8th, 2026.

Founded in 1991, the FFC targets both regular audiences and industry experts, focussing on Central and Eastern European cinema. With an annual attendance of approx. 17,000 visitors, this five-day event is one of the most notable cultural events in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan area. It showcases around 140 films from more than 40 coproduction countries, along with a number of workshops, masterclasses, film education activities and panel discussions. It features three competition categories for feature, short and youth films, as well as special sections that change annually to showcase selected film countries and delve into political and historical topics. The program also includes a family and children's film section, a section dedicated to films tackling ecological subjects, a genre section and a focus on blockbusters. Thus, the programme ranges from arthouse to action films, from horror movies to investigative documentaries, from experimengtal films to RomComs - which appeals to a vast audience across the whole society.

The FFC also provides opportunities for film literacy and intercultural and social dialogue through moderated Q&A sessions, topic-specific discussions, a digital presence, workshops for school children and co-operation with universities. It challenges prejudices and celebrates cultural diversity, nurtures young talent, promotes European AV works and connects with co-production countries outside the EU. To this end, it creates synergies with the co-production market connecting cottbus, which takes place in parallel. The FFC co-operates closely with more than 30 European film festivals, including the "Moving Images - Open Borders" festival network. Throughout the year, it presents film programs in Germany and at international film festivals, including those in the Polish-German border region.

The festival focuses on feature films from the successor states of the former socialist countries in Eastern Europe, East Central Europe, South Eastern Europe, the Baltics, the Caucasus, Central Asia and their economically and culturally closely related neighboring countries Finland, Greece and Turkey. The FFC is an audience festival and with the co-production market connecting cottbus, an industry meeting point for Central and Eastern European cinema. The FFC wants to show good films and give them access to the market. In addition, it aims to strengthen talents, to arouse curiosity about Eastern Europe, to question common clichés and to promote the dialogue between and with Eastern European filmmakers. Therefore, almost every film is followed by an exciting film discussion (Q&A). Networking meetings also provide opportunities for exchange between filmmakers and industry representatives.

A total of fifteen prizes are awarded at the FilmFestival Cottbus, with a total value of more than 60,000 euros. A prominent international festival jury awards the main prize for the best feature film, the special prize for the best director as well as the prizes for outstanding acting performances - all of them receive the coveted prize sculpture LUBINA (Sorbian: the lovely one) in addition to the prize money. In addition, prizes will be awarded for the best youth and short films.

As the gateway to the East, Cottbus is located in close proximity to its Polish neighbor in the bilingual (German/Sorbian) region of Lausitz in the German state of Brandenburg. Every autumn, the city of about 100,000 inhabitants 120 km southeast of Berlin becomes the most important meeting point for international and national film guests as well as friends of Central and Eastern European film. Here, veteran directors and Oscar winners meet up-and-coming talents, Eastern European shooting stars meet German acting colleagues, and international flair mixes with a family festival atmosphere. 

Dear members of the press,

we are looking forward to your journalistic coverage of the FilmFestival Cottbus and wish to support your work to the best of our possibilities.

For further informations please contact us: 

press team
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Press Counter (Festival Centre Stadthalle Cottbus)  

At the Press Counter you may obtain your accreditations and, on request, invitations to events (subject to availability) as well as information about our programme. Daily updates on events and schedule changes will be announced here. Interview requests for the festival direction, jury and industry members may be coordinated via the press desk as well.

Our PR & Marketing managers are at your service for requests and wishes during the following hours:

Opening hours Press Counter

Tue:                 10 am - 5.30 pm
Wed-Fr:        10 am - 8 pm
Sat:                  10 am - 5 pm
Sun:                 10 am - 2 pm

Press material   

Our current press releases in German and English may be obtained at the Press Counter and in the press area on our website. Please find print-quality images (film stills, daily updated festival impressions, venues, people, logos) at your disposal in our login-area for registered users. The press team furthermore compiles a daily press review.

Downloads  in the login-area

Please obtain the login data at the Press Counter or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Press releases
Find our current press releases at the Press Counter or on our website.

Screening Room  
We provide a separate screening room for accredited press and industry members. There you have the opportunity to watch festival films off-schedule on a PC/TV. In order to secure availability, preregistration is recommended.

Outside Broadcast vehicles
Due to limited parking space around the Festival Centre we ask camera teams to contact the press desk ahead of broadcasting in order for parking arrangements to be made.