36th Film Festival Cottbus 2026: Six Days of Cinema from Central and Eastern Europe
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36th Film Festival Cottbus: Six Days of Cinema from Central and Eastern Europe
From November 3 to 8, 2026, the 36th Film Festival Cottbus transforms the city into a meeting point for international cinema, filmmakers, and curious audiences. Around 140 films from 43 production countries open new perspectives across arthouse, drama, comedy, horror, animation, documentary, and experimental films.
Film Diversity Between Premiere and Discovery
The Film Festival Cottbus is one of the world's leading festivals for contemporary cinema from Central and Eastern Europe. Since its founding in 1991, it has stood for independent cinematic handwriting, socially relevant stories, and surprising views of a region in transition. In 2026, twelve world premieres, six international premieres, and 58 German premieres are part of the program.
Competitions, New Voices, and Big Topics
At the center are the Feature Film Competition, the Short Film Competition, and the newly launched GenNext Competition. A total of 29 films compete in the three competitions. GenNext focuses on young directors and the lives of teenagers and young adults. The glass Lubina is the traditional main prize of the festival.
The City Center Becomes the Festival Stage
The festival atmosphere develops at several venues in Cottbus, including the Filmtheater Weltspiegel, the Obenkino, and the Glad-House. Between the main program, side events, panel talks, exhibitions, concerts, and film discussions, an intense multi-day experience evolves. After many screenings, directors, actors, and producers engage directly with the audience.
Opening with Latvian Cinema
The opening takes place on November 3, 2026, at the Staatstheater Cottbus. Escape Net by Dzintars Dreibergs will be shown. The Latvian drama takes viewers into Soviet-era Riga and tells the story of a female basketball player, her threatened sports career, and political suspicions within her family. A further focus in 2026 is on Latvia as well as on Sorbian DEFA filmmaking and cinematic perspectives on the upheavals of the 1990s.
Tickets and Festival Attendance
A pre-sale single ticket costs 7.50 euros. The 5-ticket bundle is available for 30 euros, and the festival pass costs 85 euros. Tickets are available online through the festival ticket partner Reservix, at Reservix advance sales points, at CottbusService, and during the festival week at the cinema box offices. Students can attend the film programs for free on Student Day, November 4. Students receive free admission to the GenNext Competition with a valid student ID.
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Conclusion
The 36th Film Festival Cottbus connects international cinematic art, personal encounters, and the special energy of a vibrant festival city. Visitors will experience six days filled with premieres, competitions, film discussions, and cinematic discoveries. Anyone who understands cinema as cultural exchange and a shared experience should experience Cottbus live in November 2026.
