Gothenburg Film Festival 2026: Films from North Rhine-Westphalia and Producers Take the International Stage
Two FMS-funded feature films in the official festival program, the participation of a strong delegation from North Rhine-Westphalia, and targeted industry events: At the 49th Gothenburg Film Festival, North Rhine-Westphalia is prominently represented as part of this year’s “In Focus: Germany” theme .
TWO FMS-FUNDED FILMS IN THE FESTIVAL PROGRAM
The Masters (out of competition)program features two feature films funded by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW:
- *Silent Friend* by Ildikó Enyedi (Production: Pandora Film) Funding: 1,050,000 euros (including 1,000,000 euros in production funding for feature films and 50,000 euros in distribution funding)
- *The Ice Tower* by Lucile Hadžihalilović (Production: Sutor Kolonko, 3B Productions, Davis Films) German distributor: Grandfilm GmbH Funding: 20,000 euros (distribution funding)
With their selection for the prestigious Masters section, both films underscore the international appeal of productions involving NRW.
NRW DELEGATION AT INDUSTRY EVENTS IN GOTHENBURG
In 2026, Germany will be the official focus country at the TV Drama Vision Conference (January 26–28) and the Nordic Film Market (January 28–30) in Gothenburg. In addition to German Films and the German Federal Film Board (FFA), several regional film funding agencies are part of the German delegation, including the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.
Nine producers from North Rhine-Westphalia are participating in the industry program of the Gothenburg Film Festival. The goal of this joint presence is to strengthen the international visibility of films and producers from NRW and to open up new opportunities for European co-productions.
- Till Derenbach (Zeitsprung Pictures)
- Nina Frese (Wunderlust)
- Jascha Hannover (Florianfilm)
- Lutz Heineking (eitelsonnenschein)
- Esra Phul (Picture Me Rollin)
- Patrick Phul (Picture Me Rollin)
- André Schäfer (Florianfilm)
- Philipp Steffens (GLISK)
- Çağdaş Eren Yüksel (Kollektiv Zwo)
Meike Savarin (Program Officer at the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW) and Heike Meyer-Döring (Head of the Creative Europe Desk NRW) will also be in attendance.
GERMANY AS THE FOCUS COUNTRY – STRONG NRW PRESENCE
At the “Next from Germany Lunch – TV Drama Vision” on January 28, German funding organizations will present their locations and new series projects to an international industry audience. The Film Foundation will be represented there by funding officer Meike Savarin; Esra and Patrick Phul of Cologne-based Picture Me Rollin will present their new fantasy drama “All Heroes are Bastards.”
NRW will also be present at the Nordic Film Market: On January 29, André Schäfer and Jascha Hannover (both from Florianfilm) will present the Filmstiftung-funded documentary“ Schwarze Schwester Angela – Black Power in the GDR” in the Nordic Gateway – International Films in Financing section .
Experts from North Rhine-Westphalia will also share their perspectives during the discussions at the TV Drama Visionseries conference : Gerhard Maier from Cologne-based Seriencamp will discuss new trends in IP and format development during the panel “Rethinking IPs and Formats: A Fluid Future.” Till Derenbach from Zeitsprung Pictures will speak about successful co-production models between Germany and the Nordic countries during the discussion “Cross-Border Chemistry: Co-Producing Between Germany and the Nordics.”
At a matchmaking event (January 28) organized by the Scandinavian and German Creative Europe Desks and Nordic Film Commissions, producers from Germany and the Nordic countries will have the opportunity to exchange ideas about new feature film and series projects.
ABOUT THE GOTHENBURG FILM FESTIVAL
The Göteborg Film Festival will take place for the 49th time from January 23 to February 1, 2026, and is considered Scandinavia’s most important film festival. As the central industry platform for the Nordic countries, the festival attracts over 2,000 accredited industry professionals from more than 50 countries each year. With the Nordic Film Market and TV Drama Vision, the festival offers key forums for international exchange, co-production, and serial storytelling.