International Short Film Festival Oberhausen
One of the world's oldest and most respected short film festivals, held annually in May in Oberhausen, Germany, with FIAPF accreditation and a strong focus on experimental and avant-garde short cinema.
Overview
The International Short Film Festival Oberhausen is one of the world's oldest and most respected short film festivals. Founded in 1954 in the western German city of Oberhausen, the festival has FIAPF accreditation and screens approximately 500 short films during its six-day run in May. Oberhausen has a particular reputation for experimental, avant-garde, and politically engaged short filmmaking.
The festival holds a special place in cinema history as the site where the Oberhausen Manifesto was signed in 1962. This declaration by 26 young German filmmakers proclaimed the death of conventional German cinema and the birth of a new filmmaking movement, directly inspiring what became the New German Cinema of Fassbinder, Herzog, Wenders, and Schlondorff.
Oberhausen's commitment to experimental and non-narrative short forms distinguishes it from more accessible short film festivals. The festival's programming team seeks work that pushes the boundaries of what cinema can do, making it the premier destination for artists working at the intersection of film and visual art.
Key Sections
- International Competition -- international short films competing for the Grand Prize
- German Competition -- German short films
- Kids and Youth Program -- films for young audiences
- MuVi Award -- music videos and video art
- Submission Formats -- the festival accepts online submissions in all short formats
- Market Screenings -- industry screenings for distributors and broadcasters
What Filmmakers Should Know
Oberhausen accepts open submissions and is particularly receptive to experimental, non-narrative, and formally adventurous short work. Filmmakers whose work does not fit conventional short film categories will find Oberhausen one of the most hospitable festival environments available.
The festival's FIAPF accreditation provides international recognition, and winning at Oberhausen carries significant prestige in the experimental film and video art communities. The Grand Prize is one of the most respected awards in short film globally.
Oberhausen's proximity to Dusseldorf, Cologne, and other Rhineland cultural centers means that the festival draws curators, gallerists, and art world professionals alongside traditional film industry attendees.
Major Awards
- Grand Prize -- Best International Short Film
- German Grand Prize -- Best German Short Film
- Special Jury Prize
- FIPRESCI Prize
- Church Award
- MuVi Award -- Best Music Video
Festival History
Oberhausen was founded in 1954 as the West German Short Film Days. The 1962 Oberhausen Manifesto, signed at the festival, is one of the most important documents in film history. The festival has maintained its commitment to cinematic innovation and political engagement throughout its history, providing a consistent platform for filmmakers working outside mainstream commercial conventions.
See Also
For experimental filmmaking concepts, visit the Filmmaker Glossary. For short film production, use the Production Budget Calculator.
