Three productions funded by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW at DOK.fest Munich
The world of documentary film returns to Munich for the 41st time:At the 41st DOK.fest Munich, taking place from May 6 to 25, 2026, three productions funded by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW are featured in the festival program. Germany’s largest documentary film festival is presenting 106 current documentary films from 49 countries this year—both in theaters and online at DOK@home.
“Watching People Watching Birds” by Ulrike Franke and Michael Loeken has been nominated for the VIKTORIA DOK.deutsch competition. The documentary observes people who are passionately devoted to birdwatching, while also exploring a connection to nature, loss, and the reality of an endangered environment. The film was produced by loekenfranke filmproduktion. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW provided a total of 221,983 euros in funding for the production.
Also in the VIKTORIA DOK.deutschcompetition is “Das Gewicht der Welt” (The Weight of the World), directed by Florian Heinzen-Ziob. The film follows scientists who, in the face of the climate crisis, are redefining their role between research, responsibility, and social engagement. The documentary was produced by Fontäne Filmproduktion. The Film and Media Foundation NRW supported the production with a total of 115,000 euros.
With “Ingeborg Bachmann – Someone I Once Was,” director Regina Schilling presents a hybrid documentary about the life and work of the Austrian writer. Sandra Hüller portrays Ingeborg Bachmann in a blend of dramatized scenes, archival footage, and literary texts. The film will celebrate its world premiere at DOK.fest Munich as the festival’s opening film. The film was produced by zero one film in co-production with Navigator Film. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW funded the production with a total of 160,000 euros.
The 41st DOK.fest Munich will take place from May 6 to 18, 2026, in Munich’s movie theaters, and from May 11 to 25, 2026, online. For more information, visit www.dokfest-muenchen.de.