exground filmfest
The "exground filmfest" in Wiesbaden is one of Germany's most important film festivals for international, independent productions. The festival is an important meeting place for guests from the film and press industry. This year, the 39th "exgreound Filmfest" will take place from November 13 to 22.
From November 13 to 22, 2026, the festival in Wiesbaden will present around 200 short and feature-length films, combining independent cinema with award-winning discoveries from Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Karlovy Vary. The programming team compiled this year’s selection from a total of 2,040 submissions. Meetings with filmmakers, competitions, and a diverse supporting program will accompany the ten days of the festival.
Country Statistics, Schedule, and Venues
The films come from 50 countries. Germany tops the list with 58 entries, followed by France with 25 and Spain with 13. The United Kingdom is represented by 12 entries, and the United States by 11. Even countries whose films are rarely seen on German screens are represented: the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Palestine, Qatar, Singapore, and Thailand. The festival statistics show 13 world premieres, eight international premieres, two European premieres, and 26 German premieres—for a total of 49 premieres.
Following a hiatus due to renovations and a move to alternative venues, exground filmfest returns to the Caligari FilmBühne, which once again serves as the main venue and festival hub. The Murnau Film Theater and the crypt of the Marktkirche are also among the venues. Exhibitions and a reading will take place at the Nassauischer Kunstverein in Wiesbaden and the Literaturhaus Villa Clementine; the Filmforum Höchst will serve as a secondary venue for the Pupille-Kino in Frankfurt am Main, which is currently “on tour” due to its own renovation work. The exground-Xtras also include the popular film quiz, the exground Gong Show, and discussions with filmmakers.
The festival has been running since 1990 and is organized by the Wiesbadener Kinofestival e.V. and institutionally supported by the state capital of Wiesbaden.