FilmSchauPlätze is touring North Rhine-Westphalia again
Kicks off on July 24 in Wevelinghoven, Lower Rhine / Program available online
When a feature film about dementia is screened in front of a senior center, or when two men who are polar opposites become friends on the big screen set against a backdrop of a manor house and a watermill, it means that FilmSchauPlätze NRW is back: The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW’s open-air cinema presents films at historic sites and in front of iconic buildings that have a special connection to the respective location. In addition, a short film shot by filmmakers from North Rhine-Westphalia will be shown in every city. In addition to the cinematic experience, local partners offer a supporting program and culinary specialties. The 28th edition of this free event series will take place this year from July 24 to August 27, 2026, in six cities. The event’s patron is NRW Minister-President Hendrik Wüst. The program brochure is now available at participating locations and at www.filmschauplaetze.de.
The series kicks off on Friday, July 24, in Wevelinghoven on the Lower Rhine: At the St. Martinus Senior Center, following the short film “Wild, Wild Westphalia!,” the feature film “Honig im Kopf” will be shown—a story about a grandfather suffering from dementia and his granddaughter’s journey to Venice. Various artists will perform concerts at St. Martinus Church. Children can look forward to plenty of games.
In Leichlingen in the Rhineland, an elegant “Maison de plaisance” will take place on Sunday, August 2, in the park of Eicherhof Castle. Following the short film “Treibgut,” the French comedy “Oh la la – who would have guessed?” will be shown, in which two Frenchmen stumble upon the results of their faulty DNA tests. Visitors can take guided city tours beforehand and hike along the Leichlingen Fruit Trail.
On Friday, August 7, in Dingden in the Lower Rhine region, the plaza in front of St. Josefhaus invites visitors to experience the momentous journey through time of a family from the 1950s to the present in the film “Die progressiven Nostalgiker.” The short film “Kommunist Kar Kommandos” will be shown beforehand. Additionally, during the day, visitors can tour the Heimathaus next door and take a guided tour of the Humberghaus to learn about the history of its former Jewish residents.
The Holzhausen Manor and the adjacent watermill in Bad Holzhausen in the Minden-Lübbecke district will serve as the setting on Saturday, August 15, the setting for the short film “Kenger” and the French film “The Simple Things,” in which a successful entrepreneur encounters a taciturn hermit in the mountains. The event also features a mill tour, street performances, and various cultural presentations.
On Sunday, August 23, you can marvel at the short film “Holz!” and laugh at the raucous hit comedy “Monsieur Claude and His Daughters.” Before the screenings, guided city tours featuring a stop at City Hall and live music will draw visitors.
To wrap things up, on Thursday, August 27, the outdoor grounds of the Josefsheim, a facility for people with disabilities in Olsberg in the Sauerland region, will serve as the stage for the feature film “The Frog and the Water” and the short film “When Dreams Fly.” The feature film centers on the spontaneous journey of a young man from a supervised group home that changes his life. Live music and the chance to have a picnic will make the wait go by faster