未竟之境 | Ever Becoming     2026 Chinese Film Festival Hamburg (CFFH) – Call for Entries

We are honored to announce that the 4th Chinese Film Festival Hamburg (CFFH) is officially open for submissions! The festival is scheduled to take place from May 6 to 10, 2026, in Hamburg, Germany.

CFFH is committed to providing a diverse, innovative, and artistically expressive international platform for filmmakers from Chinese-speaking and related communities. We warmly invite filmmakers worldwide to submit their works and share their unique perspectives with an international audience in Hamburg.

Since its inception, CFFH has emphasized the concept of “Film Plus,” aiming to continually expand the boundaries of cinema—not only as a narrative medium but also as a form of cross-media and cross-grammar visual practice. This year, we continue along this path by introducing a new Expanded Cinema section focused on works that transcend traditional cinematic forms.

The theme of this edition, “未竟之境 | Ever Becoming,” conveys a state of openness and continuous emergence: film and moving image are no longer defined outcomes but ongoing processes. As Deleuze noted, becoming never refers to a fixed identity but is a constant state of relational and perceptual flow. In this sense, the moving image represents a space of transgression, reinvention, and expansion—always open, always becoming.

In the Expanded Cinema section, we encourage creators to submit diverse experimental works, including but not limited to video art, machinima, and intermedia projects. We also welcome works that challenge traditional screening frameworks, such as poetic narratives or hybrid fiction/non-fiction explorations.

Whether your work embraces traditional narrative or avant-garde experimentation, profound emotional expression or bold aesthetic ventures, CFFH welcomes your submission. Join us in Hamburg to explore the boundless possibilities of cinema in the open realm of Ever Becoming.

Why Choose CFFH?
CFFH provides a platform that respects the tradition of Chinese-language cinema while pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

Through film screenings, media art exhibitions, roundtables, and interactive events, we aim to foster meaningful exchanges among filmmakers, industry professionals, and global audiences.

Here are several reasons to submit your work to CFFH:

1. Thorough review process – All submissions are carefully evaluated by a diverse jury to ensure fair consideration.

2. A platform for innovation – We value works that challenge traditional forms and offer new modes of storytelling.

3. Expert jury – Esteemed directors, critics, and scholars provide insightful feedback and professional recognition.

4. International exposure – Selected films are screened before multicultural audiences, opening doors to wider recognition.

5. Opportunities for exchange – Engage with fellow artists, programmers, and viewers through Q&As and special events.

About Us

The Chinese Film Festival Hamburg (CFFH) originated from the “Riparian: Chinese Independent Film Showcase” initiated in 2022 by filmmaker Hanqi Sheng and artist Zhichao Zhu. Originally launched as an experimental screening series for Chinese-language independent films, it quickly evolved into a full-fledged film festival with the strong support of local cultural institutions. By the end of 2022, the non-profit organization Chinesische Medien- und Filmkunst e.V. was officially founded to oversee the operation and continued development of the festival.

The first CFFH was held from January 8 to 15, 2023, under the title “CHINESE FILM+ Hamburg Riparian Film Week.” It featured 9 feature films and 3 short film programs, totaling 12 screenings, 2 roundtable discussions, and 1 contemporary media art exhibition. The event attracted audiences, scholars, and creators from diverse backgrounds, receiving acclaim for its focus on artistic and experimental Chinese-language cinema. Notable guests included directors Jiang Hongqing, Tawfiq Nizamidin, Liu Guangli, and Robert Bramkamp, professor of experimental cinema at the HFBK Hamburg, all of whom participated in post-screening discussions.

The second edition of CFFH was held from May 7 to 13, 2024, further expanding both its programming scope and international influence. We received over 500 submissions from around the world, and carefully selected 35 films for screening, covering narrative features, documentaries, short films, and experimental works. The final jury was composed of Qiu Jiongjiong, Yu Qiong, Canan Turan, and Jens Geiger-Kiran, who provided valuable insights and played a critical role in the selection of award-winning films. During this edition, we were honored to collaborate with the Warburg Institute Hamburg to present a special screening and panel discussion titled “Beijing Bicycle: The Life and Afterlife of a Classic Film.” This event was curated by Yuning Teng, a researcher and curator at the University of Hamburg. It brought together a distinguished group of guests, including Prof. Dr. Uwe Fleckner (Director of the Warburg Institute Hamburg), Prof. Hsiao-Ming Hsu (Dean of the School of Film and Animation Art at China Academy of Art), Prof. Ruby Chen, and Prof. Ingo Offermanns (Vice President of the HFBK Hamburg), for an in-depth interdisciplinary dialogue. In addition, a panel talk titled “How Can We Understand Each Other? Exploring Post-Pandemic Social Realities Through Chinese Moving Image Art” was held, with participation from local curators and scholars in Hamburg. These cross-disciplinary conversations—spanning film, art, and academia—not only enriched the intellectual dimension of the festival but also significantly enhanced its international reach. The event attracted not only local audiences from Hamburg but also cinephiles from across Europe, successfully expanding the festival’s audience base.

The third edition was held from May 7 to 11, 2025, continuing the “Film Plus” curatorial approach with the theme “Expanding Boundaries,” focusing on the convergence of cinema and contemporary art. A total of 26 Chinese-language films were selected, including 8 mid/feature films and 18 shorts, with 5 world premieres, 2 European premieres, 14 German premieres, and 3 Hamburg premieres. In collaboration with Hamburg-based artist Bettina Freimann, the festival also presented the media art exhibition In Between And Never There at the historic Millerntorwache space, featuring works by Asian artist collectives. Final jurors included Guo Keyu, Zhen Zhang, Helena Wittmann, and Christopher Small. Preliminary rounds involved professionals from China, Germany, Korea, Iran, Mongolia, and Malaysia, who reviewed over 500 entries to ensure curatorial excellence and diversity. Nearly 50% of the selected films were directed by women or focused on women’s narratives, underscoring CFFH’s commitment to gender equity and inclusive storytelling. Numerous filmmakers attended post-screening Q&As, fostering an atmosphere of authentic exchange and vibrant discussion.

For more information, please visit our official website: https://chinesefilmfest.de or contact us at: info@chinesefilmfest.de