Every year, for ten days in November, the exground filmfest is not only a magnet for film enthusiasts from near and far, but also an important discussion forum for around 250 accredited journalists, trade visitors and guests from the film industry - in other words, for important multipliers from the industry and beyond.

From the very beginning, the organizing team has focused on cinema far removed from Hollywood productions and offers a "sophisticated programme of international feature-length and short films beyond first-run cinema" (Frankfurter Rundschau, November 13, 2001). The festival's fixed components are independent US productions ("American Independents"), new Asian films ("News from Asia" - now part of the "International" series) as well as international feature-length and short film programs - often as European or German premieres.

The festival has existed since 1990 and is organized by the Wiesbadener Kinofestival e.V. and institutionally supported by the state capital of Wiesbaden.