NRW Film Festival (1)

Festival start: 07 December 2025      Festival end: 07 December 2025

NRW Film Festival 2025

The NRW Film Festival is a brand-new platform dedicated to discovering and celebrating bold, original, and inspiring voices in cinema. Launched in 2025, the festival provides filmmakers from across the globe with an opportunity to showcase their work in North Rhine-Westphalia, one of Germany’s most culturally vibrant regions.

The inaugural edition of the festival will take place in December 2025, bringing together audiences, creators, and industry professionals for a unique celebration of short films. With a strong focus on emerging talent, the NRW Film Festival welcomes films up to 20 minutes in length across genres—ranging from social impact stories to commercial and entertainment-driven films.

In main event, selected short films will be chosen and featured as part of the festival’s rolling curation. These monthly selections will culminate in a grand annual screening event in December 2025, where the year’s most outstanding works will be celebrated on the big screen.

The NRW Film Festival strives to create a space where filmmakers can connect, exchange ideas, and inspire change through the power of storytelling. We ensuring that independent voices have a chance to be seen and heard.

BEST OF THE FEST - Best Short Film - SHORT STOP
TROPHY + AWARD CERTIFICATE

SPECIAL MENTION - AWARD CERTIFICATE

BEST SCREENPLAY (Written) - TROPHY + AWARD CERTIFICATE

BEST ANIMATION - AWARD CERTIFICATE
BEST DOCUMENTARY - AWARD CERTIFICATE
BEST EXPERIMENTAL - AWARD CERTIFICATE
BEST MUSIC VIDEO - AWARD CERTIFICATE
BEST DIRECTOR - AWARD CERTIFICATE
BEST SCREENWRITER - AWARD CERTIFICATE
BEST COMPOSER/ORIGINAL SCORE - AWARD CERTIFICATE
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER - AWARD CERTIFICATE
BEST EDITOR - AWARD CERTIFICATE
BEST ACTOR - AWARD CERTIFICATE
BEST ACTRESS - AWARD CERTIFICATE

Rules & Terms 

Short Films Only


The NRW Film Festival is dedicated exclusively to short films with a runtime of up to 20 minutes (including credits).

Films exceeding 20 minutes will not be considered.


International and National Submissions

The festival accepts entries from both German filmmakers and international filmmakers.

All genres are welcome, provided they meet the festival’s guidelines.

Submission Fee is Non  refundable

Student Id required for Producer or Director from students.


Language and Subtitles

Films must be in English or German.

If the film is in any other language, it must include English subtitles.

Subtitles must be clear, accurate, and properly synchronized.


Rights and Copyrights

By submitting, filmmakers confirm that they hold all rights and copyrights to the film, including music, visuals, and third-party content.

Films violating copyright laws will be disqualified.


Multiple Entries

Filmmakers may submit more than one film.
Each film requires a separate entry and fee.


Screening Permissions

By submitting, filmmakers grant the festival the right to screen the film during the event and use trailers, clips, posters, and stills for promotional purposes.


Submission Format

Films must be submitted in a high-quality digital format (e.g., MP4, MOV) suitable for projection.

DCP formate required for selected film.

Low-resolution or corrupted files may not be considered.


Selection & Jury

All films will be reviewed by the festival jury.

Selection is based on creativity, originality, storytelling, and technical quality.

Decisions of the jury are final.

Films will be judged based on creativity, storytelling, technical execution, and originality.

Filmmakers will be notified of selection status via email within the timeline specified on the festival’s website.

Only the Best  Short film which are seleceted as finalist will be screeing during the film festival. 

Other catagories will receive award certificate and will be invited for the festival.


Notification

Filmmakers will be notified of their film’s selection status via email according to the timeline published on the festival’s official website.


Age & Content Restrictions

Films must comply with German legal and ethical standards.

Content violating age restrictions or laws will be disqualified.

No Adult content allowed.
 
Winners and Screenings:

All winning films are eligible for screening at the festival.

Winners may also be featured in promotional events, retrospectives, or encore screenings organized by the festival.

All offical selected film will receive a laurel and Certificate. 

See the Awards Winners page


Festival Rights:

Festival reserve the rights to change the date of event based on Cinema hall or techinical availability. All selected film will be infromed.