As reported by the Wiesbadener Kurier, during the 2026 Pentecost weekend, the Wilhelm-Kempf-Haus in Naurode will once again serve as a hub for filmmakers under the age of 27 as part of the “Werkstatt der Jungen Filmszene” (Young Filmmakers’ Workshop). From nearly 400 emerging productions from German-speaking countries, a jury has selected 71 films that will be screened at the venue and, on Saturday evening, as part of a program at the Caligari Filmbühne. In addition, the event organized by the federal association “Jugend und Film” serves as a platform for exchange among the approximately 150 participants, who will have the opportunity to find new collaboration partners.

The article continues: “The ‘Werkstatt der Jungen Filmszene’ will open with a production from Wiesbaden. The ‘Filmreif’ 2025 crew takes a fictional look behind the beautiful facade of a student in the six-minute drama ‘Echt!?’.” The opening film of the short film evening at the Caligari, in turn, is last year’s “Filmreif” production by 14- to 17-year-olds. This is a reflection of close cooperation between the “Werkstatt der Jungen Filmszene” and the Wiesbaden Media Center. For seven years, the screenplay development for the “Filmreif” project took place at the Wilhelm-Kempf-Haus. For the past four years, the six jury members of the Young Filmmakers Festival have been meeting for a week at the Media Center to select the festival program. One jury member is provided by the Media Center, with this role currently being filled by the respective trainees, who are aspiring media designers in image and sound.”

The Wiesbadener Kurier continues: “The Young Film Scene Workshop also serves as the Media Center’s ticket to other festivals. ‘Our films are discovered there. It serves as a springboard for us from Wiesbaden to all of Germany,’ explains Maria Weyer, Head of Media Education at the Media Center. The association’s deputy managing director will moderate the relatively new ‘How to Make’ format on Pentecost.

Conversely, the Media Center has already booked speakers whom it discovered through the Young Filmmakers Festival. For example, Vincent Rabas-Kolominsky, who will once again lead a workshop on Pentecost Sunday. In 2025, he offered a seminar at the Media Center titled “Filmmaking with AI and Video Games.” Among those who participated was Mirko Brückmann, the Media Center’s current intern. “Echoes of the End” is the title of the resulting dystopian film, which can be seen on Pentecost Sunday at the Wilhelm-Kempf-Haus.”

Excerpts from: Wiesbadener Kurier, May 8, 2026: Workshop of the Young Film Scene, by Hendrik Jung.