Sections
Feature Film Competition
Cinema from Central and Eastern Europe at its best. It's about high politics and identity formation, growing up and rebellion, war and peace, migration and homeland – the ten films from a total of 16 production and co-production countries competing for the coveted Lubinas this year show what ...
Short Film Competition
The filmmakers participating in the Short Film Competition have a chance to win the main prize and a special prize (to the director).
Youth Film U18 Competition
From manipulative power in an elite choir to a bitter brotherly duel in the boxing ring of life – ambition and vulnerability collide in this year's youth film competition. A night-time escape in a motorhome becomes a quiet plea for self-determination, while magical parallel worlds open up in the ...
Spectrum
Right in the thick of it: the films in the ‘Spectrum’ take a close look at everyday life. Whether in the family or world politics, in old or new homes, in dreams or harsh reality – in Spectrum, we are right up close. Stories written by life – staged as intimate plays, laconic comedies, ...
Hits
More successful than Hollywood – the box office hits from the production countries in our ‘FFC region’ often include gems that rarely make it onto the screens of international film festivals, but offer plenty of entertainment value and have something to say. We show them: Kyrgyz on a mission ...
EcoEast
How do humans change the landscape, and how does the landscape change humans? What emerges in the process, what rifts open up, what are the consequences – for the environment, but also for cultural heritage and the future? Ten feature films and documentaries tell of relationships in flux: between ...
MIDNIGHT MADNESS
Wild & weird: From aliens in the Kazakh steppe, werewolves in medieval Latvia and vampires in a trailer park, full of jealousy, delusions of omnipotence and murderous intent. Anyone who likes suspenseful cinema, dark legends and ludicrous genre mixes is cordially invited to MIDNIGHT ...
Homeland | Domownja | Domizna
Sorbian, regional and international filmmaking, all brought together in one place. Current feature films and documentaries as well as archive treasures and rediscoveries reflect, in a variety of ways, on the meaning of home. Films from Upper and Lower Lusatia speak of Sorbian worlds. Lusatia ...
Children's Film
Grab some popcorn and take a seat in the cinema:we are showing four children's films for all kids up to 12 years old.All films are shown in their original language and are translated live into German for you.Headphones are available at the box office.Exception: THE FAIRY TALE OF SWAN LAKE on ...
Cottbus Masters
Brand new films from cult directors who are not in Cottbus for the first time – from Slovakian genre master Peter Bebjak to the historical and contemporary observations of Sergei Loznitsa, Stephan Komandarev and Tudor Giurgiu – all stars of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern European cinema with ...
Close Up: Estonia
Close Up: Estonia highlights the history and everyday life, myths and visions of Estonian society. A country in a region that is characterised by fears about the future due to its geopolitical location, but which presents itself with great self-confidence. How does contemporary Estonian cinema ...
Spotlight: Weimar Triangle
The Weimar Triangle was established in 1991 following a meeting between the then foreign ministers of Poland, France and Germany as a political forum for dialogue aimed at intensifying European integration and political and cultural cooperation between Poland, France and Germany. This marked ...
Don't Call me Vintage!
The four films in this program all emerged in the 1980s, a decade marked by both political upheavals and the gradual crumbling of old certainties. Each film brings a distinct female perspective, highlighting heroines who confront history, ideology, and personal struggles with resilience and depth. ...
Ukranian Film Day
The war against Ukraine is not over, and it repeatedly appears as though the aggression is increasing. We are almost getting used to the daily news of more drone attacks, deaths and deliberately destroyed infrastructure. How are the people affected by this? When will there be a moment to calm down ...