Max ophüls-festival
Festival at a Glance
Contact Email
Submission Fee
Free
Submission Platform
Official online entry system: https://ophuels-filmanmeldung.franzlfilm.de/einreichung (or via festival site announcements; for 2026 edition, submissions were July 15 October 31, 2025 for competitions)
Festival Type
International Film Festival for Emerging German-Language Cinema
Suitable For
Suitable for young/emerging filmmakers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg (DACH + Luxembourg region) with first, second, or third works; including feature films (min. 70 min, theatrical intent), documentaries (min. 70 min), mid-length films, and short films (up to ~25 min); seeking German/world premieres, focus on new talent, innovative storytelling, and artistic ambition; ideal for debut directors and producers aiming for the Max Ophüls Prize awards, industry visibility, networking, distribution opportunities in German-speaking markets, critical acclaim, and career launch in European/German cinema.
Estimated Participants
Approximately 36,000–45,000 visitors (cinema visits and events) in recent editions, plus several hundred accredited filmmakers, producers, distributors, critics, and industry professionals mainly from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
Location
Saarbrücken, Germany
Acceptance Difficulty
Easy
Moderate
Very Competitive
Festival Guide
Overview
Film Submission Details
Participators
Technical Specs
Requirements
Genres
Travel Perks
Past Winners
Success Story
Festival Overview
The Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis is Germany’s most important festival for emerging German-language cinema and one of the premier launchpads for young filmmaking talent in Europe. Held annually in Saarbrücken (47th edition: January 19–25, 2026), it is dedicated exclusively to first, second, and third works by directors from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
Founded in 1980 and named after the great filmmaker Max Ophüls, the festival has earned a reputation as the key discovery event for the next generation of German-speaking directors. It features competitive sections for feature films, documentaries, medium-length films, and short films, with a strong focus on fresh voices, bold storytelling, artistic courage, and innovative perspectives.
The program includes world and German premieres, in-depth Q&As, masterclasses, industry panels, and a lively talent program that connects young filmmakers with producers, distributors, and broadcasters. Screenings take place across several cinemas in the heart of Saarbrücken.
With its intimate yet highly professional atmosphere, the Max Ophüls Prize serves as the essential first major showcase for emerging directors seeking critical acclaim, prestigious awards (including the renowned Max Ophüls Prize), distribution deals in German-speaking markets, and the momentum needed to build successful careers in European cinema.
Who Is Max ophüls-festival Best For?
The Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis stands out as Germany’s most important and respected festival for emerging German-language cinema, blending high-quality screenings and a warm, talent-focused atmosphere in Saarbrücken with a strong emphasis on fresh voices, artistic courage, innovative storytelling, and the discovery of the next generation of directors from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. Held annually in January in Saarbrücken, it caters to a dedicated spectrum of participants from passionate cinephiles and short-film lovers to industry professionals, producers, distributors, broadcasters, critics, and especially young filmmakers—through its competitive programs, Q&As, masterclasses, industry panels, talent workshops, and networking events, but shines brightest for emerging directors presenting their first, second, or third feature, documentary, mid-length, or short film, young producers and screenwriters building their early careers, advocates of bold and authentic German-speaking cinema, and the general public seeking an approachable, inspiring, and highly supportive festival experience that celebrates new talent without the scale, pressure, or exclusivity of larger A-list events like Berlinale or Cannes.
✅ Good Fit If
Your film is a debut, second, or third work by a young/emerging director from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or Luxembourg (German-language or co-production from the region), including features (min. 70 min), documentaries (min. 70 min), mid-length films, or shorts, with strong artistic vision, fresh storytelling, personal perspective, or innovative approach.
You are an up-and-coming filmmaker, screenwriter, or producer presenting your early career work and seeking your first major festival breakthrough in the German-speaking world.
You aim for a German or world premiere (strongly preferred, especially for competition sections).
Your project has high artistic quality, emotional depth, social relevance, or bold creative risk-taking typical of new talent.
You want significant exposure in the German/Austrian/Swiss film industry, networking with producers and broadcasters, awards prestige (Max Ophüls Prize and others), distribution opportunities in DACH markets, critical attention, and a supportive launchpad for your career.
❌ Not a Good Fit If
Your film is not a first, second, or third work (i.e., from a director with more than three previous features).
The film is not in German or from the DACH + Luxembourg region (non-German-language international films are very rarely accepted).
The film has already had a German premiere or wide release in German-speaking territories.
You are looking for a large-scale international red-carpet festival with global Hollywood stars and massive press coverage.
Your film is purely commercial mainstream entertainment without a distinct authorial voice or artistic ambition.
Who Might Not Be a Good Fit?
Established international directors with multiple features already in their filmography.
Filmmakers from outside the German-speaking region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg) without strong regional ties.
Those seeking a relaxed, low-pressure, or purely audience-oriented festival without strong industry focus.
Directors or producers looking for ultra-exclusive glamour events rather than a talent-discovery and career-launch environment.
key festival Facts
Founded:
1980
Location:
Saarbrücken, Germany
Festival Type:
International Film Festival for Emerging German-Language Cinema
Frequency:
Annual (January)
Submission Platform:
Official submission portal: https://ffmop.de/en/submission
Premiere Status:
German Premiere strongly preferred (especially for Competition sections); films must not have had a theatrical release or wide public screening in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland prior to the festival. World premieres are very welcome.
Film Submission Details
Submissions for the 2027 edition (expected January 2027) are expected to open in July/August 2026, with the final deadline typically in late October 2026.
There is no submission fee submissions are completely free.
Submissions are handled exclusively through the official Max Ophüls online entry system (link will be published on the festival website when the call opens).
Important notes:
– Only first, second, or third works by directors from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or Luxembourg are eligible.
– German Premiere is strongly preferred (world premieres are very welcome).
– Only completed films are accepted (no works-in-progress).
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on deadlines, categories, and rules for 2027, check directly on the official website:
https://ffmop.de/en
(The submission call is usually announced prominently on the homepage in summer.)
Submission Notes:
The Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis accepts only completed films (no separate pitching or project deadlines for the Official Selection; only finished works are considered for competition and all sections). There are no dedicated works-in-progress sections or separate calls for co-productions/projects the focus is entirely on ready-to-screen first, second, or third works by emerging directors.
Submissions occur exclusively through the official Max Ophüls submission portal (the link is published on the festival website when the call opens). There is no parallel market or industry pitching during the submission period.
For the 2027 edition (expected January 2027), the submission call usually opens in July/August 2026, with the final deadline typically in late October 2026. Exact dates will be confirmed when the portal opens on the official website: https://ffmop.de/en
(Note: Submissions are completely free no entry or processing fee. Only directors from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or Luxembourg (or co-productions with strong regional ties) are eligible. German Premiere is strongly preferred. English or German subtitles are required for non-German-language films.)
Genres & Program Sections
Feature, Documentary, Medium-Length, Short; socially relevant themes; spiritual, human or social questions and values
Career Impact & Success Stories
The Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis, as Germany’s most important and influential festival for emerging German-language cinema, serves as the decisive launchpad for young directors, screenwriters, and producers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. Through its highly selective competitions, prestigious awards (especially the Max Ophüls Prize), in-depth Q&As, masterclasses, and strong industry networking, the festival gives selected films and talents exceptional visibility and professional opportunities that very often lead to major career breakthroughs.
Many films that premiered or won awards at Max Ophüls have gone on to screen in Competition or Panorama at the Berlinale, Cannes, Venice, Locarno, and other A-list festivals, secured theatrical distribution and sales in German-speaking countries, received funding for their next projects, and built international careers. The festival has an outstanding track record of discovering and launching talent from early breakthroughs of directors like Maren Ade, Christian Petzold, Fatih Akin, Emily Atef, Sebastian Schipper, Julia Jentsch, and Nicolette Krebitz to recent winners who quickly rose to prominence on the European and global stage.
The Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis continues to spotlight bold, personal, and artistically courageous new voices in German-language cinema, giving them the recognition, critical attention, industry connections, and momentum they need to establish lasting and successful careers.
Awards & Recognition :
Max Ophüls Preis (Best Feature Film)
Gropiusstadt Supernovaby Ben Volt (Germany)
Film Prize of the Prime Minister of the Saarland Best Director
Magdalena Chmielewska for Teresas Körper (Austria)
Film Critics’ Award – Best Feature Film
Wolves* by Jonas Ulrich (Switzerland)
Audience Award Feature Film
Wovon sollen wir träumen by Milena Aboyan & Constantin Hatz (Germany)
Max Ophüls Preis Best Documentary
Die noch unbekannten Tage(The Days That Are Still Unknown) by Jola Wieczorek (Austria)
Audience Award Documentary
Eine Krankheit wie ein Gedicht by (Germany)
Other notable prizes include the Fritz-Raff Screenplay Prize, Best Young Actor/Actress, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, and multiple awards in the medium-length and short film competitions.
The Max Ophüls Prize is widely regarded as the most important award for emerging German-language filmmakers, often serving as the decisive first major recognition that launches careers in the DACH region and beyond.
Travel Perks :
The Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis does not cover travel expenses or hotel accommodation for selected filmmakers, directors, producers, or other participants.
However, all selected films and their teams receive full festival accreditation, which grants free access to all screenings, Q&As, masterclasses, industry panels, the talent program, evening events, and parties.
Official Invitation Letters: Issued upon request to support visa applications for international guests.
Note: Attendance in person is highly encouraged and expected for selected filmmakers. Once your film is accepted, the festival team will contact you directly with details about accreditation and invitation letters.
Festival Contact & Information
Official Website
https://ffmop.de/Submission Platform
Official Max Ophüls Submission Portal
Social Media