Filmmaker from Hamburg sentenced in Iran

Five films in the programme, a delegation of eleven Executive Producers on site and the Nordic NEST enters the next round: the German film north is prominently represented at this year's Gothenburg Film Festival - the most important film festival in Scandinavia.

Hamburg/Lübeck/Berlin, 16.01.2026 - The 76th Berlinale is kicking off in northern Germany and internationally at the same time: with "No Good Men", a film from Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein will open this year's film festival on 12 February 2026. Afghan Director Shahrbanoo Sadat, who lives in Hamburg, and Lübeck-based Executive Producer Katja Adomeit are sending a strong signal for the film industry in the north of Germany.

Austrian Director Markus Schleinzer has made a historical drama - without any pomp or opulent costumes. Set in the 17th century, it tells the story of a woman in trousers in black and white. For the filmmaker, this is a great medium for dealing with unifying themes. The fantastic Sandra Hüller plays the title character. Rose" celebrates its world premiere in the Berlinale Competition in mid-February. There's a bit of Hamburg in it too.