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Imagine Futures! — Schlüsselbild des 75. Filmfestivals Mannheim-Heidelberg
Design: DAUBERMANN
75th edition · Mannheim & Heidelberg

Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg

5–15 November 2026

Germany's second-oldest film festival turns 75. From 5 to 15 November 2026, the Internationales Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg fills the cinemas of both cities with first and second films by directors at the start of their careers.

What it is

The festival began in 1952 in Mannheim as a culture and documentary film week, second in Germany only to the Berlinale, and since 1994 it has been hosted jointly with neighbouring Heidelberg. Its focus has stayed the same: new directors, shown early. François Truffaut, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Wim Wenders, Jim Jarmusch and Krzysztof Kieślowski all screened work here before they were famous. Sascha Keilholz is the artistic director.

What to see

The full 2026 line-up is published with the presale on 19 October. What the festival is built around:

ON THE RISE competition
The main competition, for debut and second films by new directors from around the world, with the festival's biggest prizes.
Retrospective: Back to the Futures
The anniversary retrospective looks at utopias and dystopias on screen, from early cinema to now.
Nosferatu with live orchestra
A silent-film concert of Murnau's Nosferatu on 7 November, played by the orchestra of the Nationaltheater Mannheim at the OPAL opera house (30 / 20 euros).
Junges Filmfest
A strand for children, teenagers and families, with reduced prices and class bookings.
Solarceptors, a VR exhibition
An immersive virtual-reality exhibition at the Kunsthalle Mannheim, part of the Imagine Futures! campaign, on view 2 September to 22 November.
Talks with the filmmakers
Most screenings are followed by a Q&A with the visiting film team; masterclasses and panels run alongside.

The anniversary

The 75th edition runs under the motto Imagine Futures!, and the festival rolls out its pink carpet, the anniversary colour. Beyond the festival week it anchors a season across the Rhein-Neckar region, from September, on visions of the future in film, art and society.

The prizes

The competition's main awards and what they carry.

International Newcomer Award
main prize of the ON THE RISE competition, for the best direction
30,000 €
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award
for the best screenplay in the competition
15,000 €
Publikumspreis
voted by the audience
5,000 €

Tickets

The festival uses solidarity pricing: you choose what you pay. In 2024 and 2025 a single ticket was 8, 12 or 14 euros and a festival pass 60, 85 or 100 euros; the Junges Filmfest costs 3.50 euros for under-18s, and holders of the Kulturpass Rhein-Neckar get in free. The 2026 prices publish with the programme. Tickets are sold online through Reservix and at the tourist-information box offices in Mannheim and Heidelberg. Masterclasses, panel talks and the award ceremony are free.

Every film is shown with subtitles: German and English on international titles, English on German films, German on English-language films. So you can follow the programme whichever of the two languages you speak.

Tickets on Reservix2024/2025 prices, a guide until the 2026 tariff is out

Getting there

Since 2019 the festival plays only in cinemas, across the centres of Mannheim and Heidelberg. The two cities are about 20 km apart and 15 to 25 minutes by train; both are on the ICE network, and Mannheim is roughly half an hour from Frankfurt Airport.

The venues
Mannheim
Cineplex Mannheim
N7 17, 68161 Mannheim
Showtimes
Planken Lichtspiele Mannheim
P4 13, 68161 Mannheim
Showtimes
Cinema Quadrat
K1, 2, Mannheim
Festival venue, not on KinoNow
Stadthaus N1
N1, 1, Mannheim
Festival venue, not on KinoNow
Heidelberg
Luxor-Filmpalast Heidelberg
Eppelheimer Straße 6, 69115 Heidelberg
Showtimes
Gloria und Gloriette
Hauptstraße 146, Heidelberg
Festival venue, not on KinoNow
Karlstorkino
Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 3, Heidelberg
Festival venue, not on KinoNow
Karlstorbahnhof
Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 3, Heidelberg
Festival venue, not on KinoNow
On KinoNow, tap for showtimesFestival venue, not on KinoNow

Common questions

When is the festival in 2026?
From 5 to 15 November 2026, in Mannheim and Heidelberg. It is the 75th edition.
What does a ticket cost?
The festival uses solidarity pricing. In 2024 and 2025 a single ticket was 8, 12 or 14 euros, your choice; the 2026 prices come with the programme on 19 October. Masterclasses, panels and the award ceremony are free.
In which language are the films shown?
With subtitles: German and English on international films, English on German films, German on English-language films.
When can I buy tickets?
Advance sales open on 19 October 2026, online through Reservix and at the tourist-information box offices in both cities. A streaming selection also starts that day.
What is the main award?
The International Newcomer Award, worth 30,000 euros, for the best direction in the ON THE RISE competition.

Facts on this page checked on 6 September 2026.

Sources