Three Films Funded by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW Nominated for the 2026 Max Ophüls Prize

The Film and Media Foundation NRW is represented by three funded productions at the 47th Max Ophüls Prize Film Festival. The festival takes place from January 19 to 25, 2026, in Saarbrücken and is considered the most important festival for emerging German-language cinema. For decades, the Max Ophüls Prize has been synonymous with the discovery of new talent from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, offering them a central stage for their first major works.

This year, a feature film funded by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW will open the festival in particularly prominent fashion:

“Do You Believe in Angels, Mr. Drowak?” by Nicolas Steiner will celebrate its premiere as the festival’s opening film. Produced by Zieglerfilm Baden-Baden, the film will be released in theaters in Germany by X Verleih and in Austria by Filmladen Filmverleih. Luna Wedler and Karl Markovics star in the lead roles . The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW provided 380,000 euros in funding for the project .

In the documentary film competition, “A Disease Like a Poem” by Jelena Ilić is in the running. Ilić served as both director and screenwriter. The film was produced by Made in Germany Filmproduktion and is being distributed by Mindjazz Pictures. The Film and Media Foundation NRW supported the project with 140,000 euros.

In the guest program (Special Olympics), the feature film “Ganzer halber Bruder” by Hanno Olderdissen will be screened. The film was produced by Neue Schönhauser Filmproduktion and is distributed by Wild Bunch Germany. The lead roles are played by Christoph Maria Herbst, Nicolas Randel, and Sesede Terziyan. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW is providing 1,020,000 euros in funding .

A key event of the festival is the grand awards ceremony on January 24, 2026, at which the winners of the competitions will be honored.

With its industry program, MOP-Industry, the Max Ophüls Prize Film Festival also offers a space for collaboration and reflection on the future of talent-driven filmmaking. Through workshops, panels, and pitch and matchmaking sessions, emerging filmmakers meet with experienced industry experts to share knowledge, strengthen networks, and discuss current artistic, structural, and film policy issues.

Tickets for all festival screenings are available at:https://tickets.ffmop.de/