Submissions for the 72nd International Short Film Festival Oberhausen
The submission deadlines for Oberhausen's 72nd edition (28 April - 3 May 2026) have expired.
Submissions for the MuVi Award can be made until 22 February 2026.
Conditions for Submissions
Applicable to all submissions
All submissions must be made via our website (online entry form). Film submissions are only possible for one competition at a time. Double submissions will not be accepted.
Production date
After 1 January 2025
Premiere requirements
There are different premiere requirements in the individual competitions. Please check the individual sections and regulations.
Submission deadlines
For all competitions: 19 January 2026, with the exception of the MuVi award: 22 February 2026
Early Bird deadline (only for the International Competition): 10 October 2025
Eligible submissions received until that date will be previewed in advance. Submitters will be informed of the decisions in November 2025.
The deadline for all competitions refers to the date of receipt of the submissions. No extensions are possible.
Admitted screening formats
For all competitions except the MuVi award: 35 mm, 16 mm and Super 8 as well as DCP
MuVi: DCP
Handling fee
The submission of the first five works by one submitter is free of charge. From the sixth submission, a handling fee of 20 euros per film will be charged.
You can find the complete submission requirements in our regulations and the MuVi regulations.
Competition selection
All selection results will be announced in mid-March 2026.
Music videos
Please use this option to submit German music videos. The director or production must be based in Germany. The director and producer of the video must be authorized by the owner of the rights to the piece of music used to produce a music video for this title.
Please read the MuVi regulations carefully before you submit.
| Maximum running time: | 15 minutes |
| Seat of production or co-production: | in Germany |
| Premiere status: | no festival premiere required |
| Deadline for submission: | 22 February 2026 |
International productions
International productions and co-productions with Germany can be submitted here.
The submission deadline for the International Competition at the 72nd Festival has expired. The selected films will be screend in Oberhausen from 28 April - 3 May 2026.
The submission for the 73rd festival will be possible in September 2026. Our current regulations can be found here.
German productions
German productions can be submitted here. International co-productions must be submitted for the international competition.
The submission deadline for the German Competition at the 72nd Festival has expired. The selected films will be screend in Oberhausen from 28 April - 3 May 2026.
The submission for the 73rd festival will be possible in September 2026. Our current regulations can be found here.
NRW productions
Submissions for the NRW Competition must be made via the submission form of the German Competition. In addition, all eligible submissions for the German competitions will be previewed for the NRW Competition.
The submission deadline for the NRW Competition at the 72nd Festival has expired. The selected films will be screend in Oberhausen from 28 April - 3 May 2026.
The submission for the 73rd festival will be possible in September 2026. Our current regulations can be found here.
Children's and youth film productions
International productions and co-productions must be submitted via the entry form of the International Competition, German productions must be submitted via the entry form of the German Competition. All suitable submissions to the International and German competitions will be previewed for the International Children’s and Youth Film Competition.
The submission deadline for the Children's and Youth Film Competition at the 72nd Festival has expired. The selected films will be screend in Oberhausen from 28 April - 3 May 2026.
The submission for the 73rd festival will be possible in September 2026. Our current regulations can be found here.
How do I submit my film?
1. Fill in the corresponding entry form and enter a preview link.
2. Wait while the independent committees preview all submissions.
3. The competition selection will be announced exclusively by email by mid-March 2026 (entering a valid email-address is therefore obligatory).
The decisions after the Early Bird submission deadline will be announced through the same channel in November 2025.
4. The International Short Film Festival Oberhausen will invite all filmmakers in the on-site competitions to Oberhausen.