Summer Evenings with Culture: FilmSchauPlätzeNRW Starts in Two Days
The open-air series kicks off on Friday, July 24, 2026, in Wevelinghoven
A diverse selection of cinematic art against a historic backdrop, a varied supporting program for all generations, and the special atmosphere of venues with a connection to film: The free open-air cinema series FilmSchauPlätze, organized by the Film and Media Foundation NRW and featuring short films by filmmakers from North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) as well as feature films, will take place this year from July 24 through August 27 at six locations. Local partners are also contributing a colorful supporting program. The series kicks off on Friday in Wevelinghoven on the Lower Rhine, followed by Leichlingen in the Rhineland, Dingden on the Lower Rhine, Bad Holzhausen in the Minden-Lübbecke district, Rheinberg in the northwestern Ruhr region, and Olsberg in the Sauerland. The event is held under the patronage of NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst.
In Wevelinghoven near Grevenbroich, visitors can look forward to the following on Friday, July 24 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Martinus Senior Center: live music by various artists in the Catholic Church of St. Martinus, activities for children, and culinary delights prepared by the kitchen team from the senior center and the St. Martinus Parish Association. Afterward, it’s time for the movie: Following the short film “Wild, Wild Westphalia!” by Moritz Maniera Siebert—shot in North Rhine-Westphalia and depicting a small village’s resistance to lignite mining—the feature film “Honig im Kopf” by Till Schweiger and Lars Gmehling will be screened. To save her grandfather Amandus (Didi Hallervorden), who suffers from dementia, from being sent to a nursing home, 11-year-old Tilda (Emma Schweiger) travels with him to Venice, a place he has never been able to forget.
FilmSchauPlätze NRW 2026 at a Glance
Wevelinhgoven on Friday, July 24
Venue: St. Martinus Senior Care Facility
Supporting program: Live music by various artists at St. Martinus Catholic Church, activities for children, and culinary delights prepared by the kitchen staff from the retirement home and the St. Martinus Parish Association
Short film: “Wild, Wild Westphalia!” by Moritz Maniera Siebert
Feature Film: “Honig im Kopf” by Til Schweiger and Lars Gmehling, about a grandfather suffering from dementia and his granddaughter
Leichlingen on Sunday, August 2
Venue: Eicherhof Castle Park
Supporting program: City tours, hike along the Leichlingen Fruit Trail
Short film: “Treibgut” by Emma Gatena
Feature film: “Oh la la – Who Would Have Guessed?” by Julien Hervé, a French comedy about two Frenchmen who stumble upon their faulty DNA test results
Dingden on Friday, August 7
Venue: Forecourt of St. Josefhaus
Supporting program: Visit to the Heimathaus; guided tour of the Humberghaus on the history of its former Jewish residents
Short film “Communist Kar Kommandos” by Markus Mischkowski and Christos Dassios
Feature film: “The Progressive Nostalgics” by Vinciane Millereau about a family’s momentous journey through time from the 1950s to the present
Bad Holzhausen/Preußisch Oldendorf on Saturday, August 15
Venue: Rittergut Holzhausen and adjacent watermill
Supporting program: Mill tour, street performances, and various cultural presentations Short film: “Kenger” by Irfan Akçadağ
Feature film: “The Simple Things” by Éric Besnard, in which a successful entrepreneur encounters a taciturn hermit in the mountains.
Rheinberg on Sunday, August 23
Venue: Market Square/Old City Hall
Supporting program: City tours with a stop at City Hall, live music
Short film: “Holz!” by Rainer Knepperges
Feature Film: “Monsieur Claude and His Daughters” by Philippe de Chauveron, a whirlwind comedy hit about the very different spouses of the daughters
Olsberg on Thursday, August 27
Venue: Outdoor grounds of the Josefsheim for people with disabilities
Supporting program: Live music and the opportunity to have a picnic
Short film: “When Dreams Fly” by Liya Ohnesorge
Feature film: “The Frog and the Water” by Thomas Stuber, about a young man from a supervised group home who embarks on a spontaneous journey that changes his life.
DETAILED INFORMATION AT www.filmschauplaetze.de