Strong showing by North Rhine-Westphalia at the 2026 Berlinale: Eleven funded productions in the program—two in the competition 

January 20, 2026

With a total of eleven productions funded by the Film and Media Foundation NRW, North Rhine-Westphalia is prominently represented at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (February 12–22, 2026). Two films funded by the foundation will premiere in the competition. Other productions have been invited to the Berlinale Special Gala, Panorama, and Retrospective sections. In addition to the eight productions in the official Berlinale program, the Film and Media Foundation NRW is pleased to announce two series presentations as part of the Berlinale Series Market.

Walid Nakschbandi, Managing Director of the Film and Media Foundation NRW:

“Eleven films and series from North Rhine-Westphalia are shaping the 2026 Berlinale—with strong, innovative styles, bold and gripping narratives, and great social relevance. We are particularly pleased that two films funded by the Film and Media Foundation NRW have been invited to the Berlinale Competition. They represent a kind of cinema that captures the spirit of the times and resonates across borders. We wish Tricia Tuttle, her team, everyone involved, and the audience a spectacular Berlinale full of discoveries and films that will resonate long after the festival ends.”

A special connection links the 2026 Berlinale program with the funding work of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW: Shahrbanoo Sadat, director of the Berlinale opening film “No Good Men,” was awarded the Baumi Script Development Award in 2021 for the script development project “Kabul Jan” —the film’s working title at the time. The award is presented by the sponsors Pandora Film, the Baumgartner family, and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, together with a guest juror who changes annually, in memory of producer Karl “Baumi” Baumgartner.

Competition

With “Rose” by Markus Schleinzer and “Rosebush Pruning” by Karim Aïnouz, two productions funded by the Film Foundation have been invited to compete in the Berlinale.

In “Rose,” a single woman in early 17th-century Germany, in the aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War, struggles to find her place in a changing society. With no prospects, she pretends to be a man and a war veteran in order to take over an abandoned estate—a risky step toward a new life. The film is a production of ROW Pictures in co-production with Schubert; ZDF and ARTE are broadcast partners. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW funded the production with 450,000 euros.

“Rosebush Pruning” by award-winning director Karim Aïnouz is a biting contemporary satire on the absurdity of the traditional patriarchal family.
In an opulent villa under the Catalan sun, the American siblings Jack, Ed, Anna, and Robert revel in their seclusion and inherited fortune, ignoring the demands of their blind father and seeking love and validation in one another as well as in their latest designer clothes. When the eldest brother, Jack, announces that he’s moving in with his girlfriend, blood ties are torn apart and repressed truths come to light.
Produced by Match Factory Productions in co-production with Kavac Film and CryBaby Films, the film is distributed by MUBI; world sales are handled by The Match Factory. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW supported the project with 300,000 euros.

Berlinale Special Gala Premiere

“The Blood Countess” by Ulrike Ottinger premieres at the Berlinale Special Gala. In collaboration with Elfriede Jelinek, the film blends vampire mythology, historical fantasy, and social satire into a unique cinematic universe. At the center of the story are the Blood Countess and her maid, who kick off a new “Dance of the Vampires” in Vienna and embark on a zany quest for the red elixir of life, the buried history of their ancestors, and a book that threatens to destroy their vampire realm.
The film is a production of Amour Fou Vienna in co-production with Heimatfilm and Amour Fou Luxembourg. ZDF, ARTE, and ORF are broadcast partners; distribution is handled by Neue Visionen, and international distribution by Magnify Films. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW provided 200,000 euros in funding for the production.

Panorama

Four productions funded by the Film and Media Foundation NRW have been invited to the Panorama section.

In “Two Mountains Weighing Down My Chest,” director and writer Viv Li explores identity, belonging, and life between cultures in a feature-length documentary. The 32-year-old filmmaker, born a girl in China and raised as a boy, now lives in Berlin’s sex-positive art scene. The film is a witty and humorous journey between Berlin and Beijing. The film was produced by CORSO Film- und Fernsehproduktion in co-production with 100% Films (NL), with ZDF / Das kleine Fernsehspiel as the broadcast partner. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW provided 230,000 euros in funding for the film.

Faraz Shariat’s thriller “Staatsschutz” explores structural violence and the intertwining of the security apparatus and the judiciary. Following his multi-award-winning debut “Futur Drei” and his work on the miniseries “Zeit Verbrechen,” the film marks Shariat’s return to feature-length filmmaking and will celebrate its world premiere at the Berlinale. Jünglinge Film produced the film in co-production with ZDF / Das kleine Fernsehspiel, with ARTE as a partner. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW supported the production with 650,000 euros.

With “The Education of Jane Cumming,” Sophie Heldman presents a historical drama based on a true story. Scotland, 1810: With modest means, two young women found a girls’ school and dream of a self-determined life—until social prejudices and a public scandal threaten their very existence. The film is a production of Heimatfilm in co-production with Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion (CH) and Sylph Productions Ltd. (UK), with WDR and ARTE as broadcast partners. The Film and Media Foundation NRW contributed 850,000 euros to the financing.

Also premiering in the Panorama section is “Narciso” by Marcelo Martinessi. Set in Paraguay in 1958, this drama tells the story of a charismatic musician who returns from Buenos Aires and, amid the oppressive military dictatorship, becomes a musical sensation and a symbol of freedom. After his final concert, Narciso is found dead. The film is a production of La Babosa Cine in international co-production with Pandora Film, Esquina Filmes, Outblaum Filmes, BTEAM, La Fabrica Nocturna Productions, and Mutante Cine. BTEAM Pictures is handling distribution, while Luxbox is responsible for worldwide sales. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW provided 55,000 euros in funding for the production.

Retrospective

A special highlight for North Rhine-Westphalia as a film location is the inclusion of “Lola Runs” in the Berlinale Retrospective, which will be held in 2026 under the theme “Lost in the 90s.” The retrospective is dedicated to films of the 1990s—a decade of upheaval, reorientation, and aesthetic radicalism.

“Lola Runs” is a key work of this era; with its rhythm, visual energy, and narrative consistency, it epitomizes the international resurgence of German cinema like almost no other film. Directed by Tom Tykwer and produced by X Filme Creative Pool, the film received 950,000 DM in funding from the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW even as it was being made.

Wim Wenders as Jury President of the 2026 Berlinale

Another strong signal for North Rhine-Westphalia as a film hub is the appointment of Wim Wenders as president of the International Jury at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. The multi-award-winning director, writer, and photographer has been closely associated with the film scene in NRW for decades.

In cooperation with the Wim Wenders Foundation, the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW is also offering the Wim Wenders Grant to support innovative cinematic storytelling. The grant is aimed at projects and talents that stand out for their distinctive artistic style and creative radicalism.

Berlinale Series Market and Conference Features Two Productions Funded by the Film Foundation

For the twelfth time, the Film and Media Foundation NRW is the main partner of the Berlinale Series Market (February 16–19, 2026), which takes place as part of the European Film Market (EFM). As a central platform for international series projects, the Berlinale Series Market brings together producers, broadcasters, streaming platforms, and creatives from around the world. The Film Foundation thus once again underscores its long-term commitment to North Rhine-Westphalia as a hub for series production and to international exchange.

The fantasy drama series “All Heroes Are Bastards” will be presented at the Berlinale Series Market Selects. Developed by Esra and Patrick Phul, the series tells the story of three social outsiders who gain superpowers through a mysterious artifact and are faced with the decision of whether to protect their community or use their new abilities for personal gain. The series is a production of Picture Me Rollin’ GmbH and btf GmbH, with ARD Degeto as the broadcast partner, and was filmed entirely in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW funded the project with 1.3 million euros.

The thriller-drama series “Westend Girl” will be featured at the Up Next: Germany presentation. Directed by Pola Beck and Stefan Schaller, the series tells the story of the abrupt collapse of a privileged youth in Düsseldorf after the parents of 18-year-old Ronja Huck are arrested for organized drug trafficking. The series was produced by Flare Film and Cactus Films in co-production with WDR and ARTE. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW supported the production with 900,000 euros.

At the “Focus Germany” booth at the European Film Market in the Gropius Bau, the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW is once again representing the region this year alongside the other eight regional film funding agencies. Visitors to the European Film Market are warmly welcome there.

Overview: Film Foundation-Funded Productions at the 2026 Berlinale

A total of eleven productions funded by the Film and Media Foundation NRW, two of which are in competition.

Opening Film