International Short Film Festival Oberhausen

The International Short Film Festival Oberhausen is held annually in Oberhausen, Germany, and is one of the world’s oldest and most influential festivals for short films. Each year, it brings together filmmakers, artists, and audiences for competitions, thematic programmes, and screenings that celebrate the diversity and innovation of the short form.

• Founded in 1954, one of the oldest short film festivals worldwide
• Home to the influential 1962 Oberhausen Manifesto
• First festival to award music videos with the MuVi Award in 1999
• Hosts competitions for international, German, and youth films
• Accredited as a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards and BAFTAs

What it is

The International Short Film Festival Oberhausen is a renowned event dedicated to short films and videos from around the globe. It serves as a meeting point for filmmakers, artists, and cinephiles, offering a platform for new voices and experimental works. The festival is known for its wide-ranging competitions, including international, German, children’s and youth categories, and a unique award for music videos. Oberhausen’s commitment to thematic programming and its role as a qualifying festival for major film awards make it a cornerstone of the short film world, fostering creativity and dialogue across cultures.

Where it comes from

Founded in 1954 as the Westdeutsche Kulturfilmtage, the festival began with a focus on educational and cultural films. It quickly grew in international stature, screening works from both Eastern and Western filmmakers during the Cold War and gaining a reputation as a 'short film mecca.' In 1962, the Oberhausen Manifesto, issued by a group of young German filmmakers at the festival, marked a turning point in German cinema. Over the decades, the festival has adapted to changes in media and society, introducing new competition categories and embracing video art, music videos, and digital formats.

How it is celebrated

During the festival, Oberhausen transforms into a vibrant hub for short film enthusiasts. Screenings take place in cinemas across the city, featuring films and videos from a wide range of genres and backgrounds. The programme includes international and national competitions, a children’s and youth film competition, and the MuVi Award for German music videos. Each year, special thematic programmes explore topics from avant-garde trailers to solidarity movements. Visitors can access a video library with recent international short films, attend artist profiles, market screenings, and join discussions at the 'Podium' series. The festival also maintains an archive and operates a non-commercial distribution service, ensuring that the spirit of short film continues year-round.

Joining in

Visitors to Oberhausen during the festival can expect a welcoming atmosphere and a packed schedule of screenings, discussions, and events. The main celebrations are held in cinemas and venues throughout the city, with opportunities to watch films, meet filmmakers, and participate in conversations about the art and future of short film. Whether you are a seasoned cinephile or a newcomer, the festival offers a chance to experience the pulse of contemporary short filmmaking and to engage with a diverse, international community.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• International Short Film Festival Oberhausen on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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