From 22 to 26 April in Cologne, we will be presenting eight outstanding debut and second feature films by directors from Germany, Ecuador, the UK, Kenya, Croatia, India, Slovakia and the USA. They are in the running for the €10,000 prize in the International Feature Film Competition. We are delighted to present four German premieres, one European premiere and one North Rhine-Westphalia premiere this year.

This year’s competition marks a new stage in self-assured feminist filmmaking. The films tell stories of people who refuse to be confined by social norms and who face the challenges of poverty, exile, loss or motherhood. It takes a little patience to understand the complex characters in these stories. We see women who are impenetrable or strategic. Sometimes at the end of their strength and ideas. Who make mistakes, fall flat on their faces and carry on. We see young men who sense that they cannot find a connection to themselves or others on the well-trodden paths. With their wide range of roles, the films are a grand swan song to patriarchy. This is logical in the face of the anti-feminist backlash. These films give us courage. They show that we are part of a community bound by solidarity. This is also because more women than ever are telling stories and exercising their interpretative authority. They draw our attention to lives and stories that have long been overlooked.

What’s new is that second feature-length films by directors are now also taking part in the competition in Cologne. Thanks to numerous funding programmes, many talented filmmakers are able to make their second film quickly after their debut. After that, however, they often hit a wall: funding dries up and the gap between projects becomes lengthy. The major hurdle for newcomers is often continuing to make feature films on a regular basis, alongside starting a family. The festival takes this into account and is redefining the ‘emerging talent’ phase: Cologne will in future screen first and second feature films, whilst the competition in Dortmund will present entries from the third feature film onwards. This change has resulted in a record number of 250 films in the pre-selection.

The Jury

We welcome French curator and cultural manager Annouchka de Andrade, Cologne-based producer Bettina Brokemper (Heimatfilm) and Greek director, producer and writer Athina Rachel Tsangari (Attenberg, Harvest) to the international jury.

The Nominations

God Will Not Help
Hana Jušić, HR, IT, RO, GR, FR, SI 2025, 137 mins, German premiere, Guest: Hana Jušić
Sat 25 Apr, 8.30 pm, Odeon Cologne

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Mary Bronstein, USA 2024, 113 mins, Original version with English subtitles
Thu 23 Apr, 9.00 pm, Odeon Cologne

Mayilaa
Semmalar Annam, IN 2026, Feature film 97’, Original version with English subtitles, German premiere, Guest: Semmalar Annam
Thu 23 Apr, 6.00 pm, Odeon

Nunkui
Verenice Benitez, EC/CL/DE 2026, 91 mins, Original version with English subtitles, German subtitles, European premiere, Guests: Verenice Benitez, Pascale Marin (cinematography)
Sat 25 Apr, 6.00 pm, Odeon Cologne

One Woman One Bra
Vincho Nchogu, KE, NG 2025, 79’, Original version with English subtitles, German subtitles, German premiere, Guest: Vincho Nchogu
Fri 24 Apr, 9.00 pm, Odeon Cologne

Perla
Aleksandra Makarova, AT, SK 2025, 110’, Original version with English subtitles, German subtitles
Sat 25 Apr, 12.00 pm, Odeon Cologne

Sechswochenamt
Jacqueline Jansen, DE 2025, Feature Film, 98’, NRW Premiere, Guest: Jacqueline Jansen
Sun 26 Apr, 12:00, Odeon Cologne

The Son and the Sea
Stroma Cairns, UK 2025, 102’, Original version with English subtitles, German subtitles, German premiere
Fri 24 Apr, 6.00 pm, Odeon Cologne

The awards ceremony will take place on 26 April at the Orangerie Theater in Cologne.

The International Feature Film Competition is curated by Stefanie Görtz and Jennifer Jones, with the support of Fatoş Tuna.

Photos and film stills are available to download in the press section.