Rules for I.F.I. 2026 - Film Submission

(All competitions except "My Heart: Harz!"-
also see in the menu of this webside under `mehr`)

We prefer first and second feature films by directors.
The production year of the works (final cut) should be 2025 or 2026.
Submissions can be made directly by the email address below, as well
as from festival platform sites (e.g. `festhome.com`)
For logistical reasons, we CANNOT accept physical submissions by mail
(DVD, USB stick, etc.).
By submitting their work, production companies/filmmakers expressly
agree to the use of the submitted material for promotional purposes for
I.F.I. 2026 (including excerpts in the form of a festival trailer) across all
media, including social media.

The submission deadline is
July 15, 2026

For submissions, we initially accept links to the screeners and
teasers/trailers of the participating films via email (see email address
below). Please attach all other film information (film bio, film stills,
posters, synopsis, press information) as additional links to a cloud storage
service (Dropbox, etc.).

Submissions (links) should be sent to:

[email protected]

In the event of an award nomination in one of the IFI 2026 competitions,
the DCP format must be submitted on a hard drive for screening at the IFI.
It must arrive at the IFI by September 1, 2026, via insured mail or courier.
The submitted media will be returned no later than two months after the
festival's conclusion.

If the DCP has not arrived at the specified IFI postal address by the
aforementioned date, the nomination will unfortunately be invalidated for
organizational reasons, and another production will need to be
nominated.

A processing fee is charged for submitted films – these fees are as follows
for the different competitions:

IFI2026 -Award
(International Feature Film):
and
`BROCKENBLICK 2026` Award
(National Feature Film)
€35

`WETTERLEUCHTEN 2026` Award
(International Short Film –
Please note: the theme must be observed)
€15

`BERGSTRASSE 2026` Award
(International Documentary)
€25

For applications submitted by email, please make a payment to this
account (please be sure to include the film title and director's name / IFI
2026 in the transfer details!)
IBAN: DE07 1001 1001 2836 0534 84

Please note: until the processing fee is received in the above account, no
viewing of the film can take place.