Magazine

A bridge that has become a real political issue: in “Sternbrücke Forever”, filmmaker Christian Hornung (Manche hatten Krokodile) documents the last two years of the iconic structure, which was home to clubs, bars, shops and the residents of the Schanzen district. Almost coinciding with the opening of the new bridge, the Documentary will celebrate its world premiere at Filmfest Hamburg 2026.

A feature film debut set on the fringes of society: in her drama “Lord”, filmmaker and Hamburg Media School graduate Caren Wuhrer places the hopeless Lord (17) and the world-weary Betty (78) at the heart of the story. It was shot almost entirely in Steilshoop, Hamburg. Now the film, produced as part of the Nordlichter talent programme, is celebrating its world premiere at FilmFest Hamburg.

For her film *Frau Winkler verlässt das Haus*, Doris Dörrie returned to Hamburg for a shoot for the first time in almost 30 years – and was delighted with her team. In the film, the directors explore themes of death and grief, robotics and care in their own unique style. In the process, they have once again developed a “sporting ambition”, as they explain in the interview.

With Ghost School, filmmaker Seemab Gul has created a true cinematic gem. The drama follows ten-year-old Rabia, who sets out to discover why her school has suddenly been closed. So far, the film has screened at over 30 festivals, including the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) and the Toronto International Film Festival. Shot in Pakistan in just 17 days, the production was an ambitious undertaking. In an interview, Gul and Hamburg-based cinematographer Zamarin Wahdat spoke to us about the challenges of filming under such conditions—and why “Ghost School” will, for the time being, not be released in Pakistani cinemas.

Until now, Nepalese filmmaker Abinash Bikram Shah has mainly made a name for himself with short films and as a Script Writer, but now he is making his feature film debut with "Elephants in the Fog". The film was edited by Andrew Bird and Paris J. Ludwig in Hamburg Altona. Lübeck-based zischlermann filmproduktion and Cologne-based Die Gesellschaft DGS are significantly involved. The film will celebrate its world premiere in Cannes in May.

The 1985 European Football Cup final in Brussels has become a Belgian, perhaps even an international trauma. In a stampede, 39 people died in the Heysel stadium. The filmmaker Teodora Mihai has made a drama about it, which addresses human dilemmas. Hamburg-based Anna Katharina Bauer provided the soundtrack and Hamburg-based Leitwolf Filmproduktion is co-executive producer. The film is celebrating its world premiere at the Berlinale.

Breaking old routines to make good stories even better: In January, ten writers from Germany, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden gathered in Schleswig-Holstein for the first Nordic NEST Space. Five intensive days of work, with the participants’ stories and characters at the centre. We went behind the scenes for you.

Homelessness is omnipresent on the streets of Hamburg: people are asked for change on the train, sleeping bags are lined up along the roadside. Although physically visible, many city dwellers manage to block out this reality and distance themselves cognitively. The VR experience UNHOME aims to change this by putting users in the perspective of homeless people for twenty minutes.