From October 20 to 25, Hof will once again become a hub for the national and international film scene. The Hof International Film Festival is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year—and is also offering students at Hof University the opportunity to experience great cinema, new talent, the famous film festival parties, and special encounters right on their own doorstep.
The Hof International Film Festival was founded in 1967 and is one of Germany’s most important film festivals. They owe their special reputation above all to their role as a festival of new discoveries: Numerous filmmakers who later gained international recognition presented their work in Hof—including Wim Wenders, Werner Herzog, Tom Tykwer, Caroline Link, Maren Ade, Jim Jarmusch, and Peter Jackson.
This is another reason why the film festival is of interest to students who are interested in film, media, culture, design, or social issues. Over the course of six festival days, approximately 130 feature films, documentaries, and short films are screened. In addition, there are talks, discussions, and lectures as part of HoF PLUS. Filmmakers are often on site to introduce their works to the audience.
The 2026 Program: An Anniversary Celebration Featuring New and Classic Films
The 60th edition kicks off on October 20 with the short film “CHÉRIE ON TOP” by Liselotte Séchet and “ZOEY & BEN” by Alexander Conrads. What makes Conrads’ film special is that he shot a new episode every year over a period of ten years, thereby documenting the actual development of his characters.
In addition to the current film program, the anniversary celebration also looks back at the past. Under the title “|8|16|35| HoF Classics,”five seminal films that once premiered at the Hof Film Festival will be screened once again on analog film. In addition, there will be tributes to filmmakers Julie and Roger Corman as well as Léa Pool, among others.
Another new highlight is the PLANET REBELS AWARD, which for the first time will honor visionary feature films and documentaries on the topics of climate, the environment, and the future.
Where do the Film Days take place?
The events are spread across several venues in downtown Hof. These include, in particular, the Central Kino in the Old Town, Arts Avenue (Bachstr. 10), the ballroom of the Freiheitshalle, and other festival venues. The central hub during the film festival is the Bürgergesellschaft at Poststraße 6, where tickets are also sold on-site.
For students, this offers a major advantage: Most venues are within easy reach of campus, and the festival can be easily integrated into daily college life—for example, by catching a movie in the evening or attending several screenings on a free afternoon.
Especially Affordable for Students
A movie ticket costs 8.50 euros; students receive a discount, bringing the price down to 7.50 euros. A student ID must be presented at the time of purchase or upon entry. Those who want to see multiple films can also purchase a 5-film festival pass for 39 euros or a 10-film pass for 78 euros.
Online ticket sales begin on October 13, 2026. Starting October 17, tickets can also be purchased in person at the Bürgergesellschaft. Since seating is first-come, first-served at the theater, it’s a good idea to secure a ticket early for particularly popular screenings.
A large portion of the festival program will also be available online via HoF On-Demand until November 1, following the theatrical premiere. This allows you to watch individual films at home if your schedule doesn’t allow for a trip to the theater.
Festival App Helps with Planning
For the 60th Film Festival, there’s a new Hofer Filmtage Connect app for the first time. It’s especially handy for keeping track of the large number of events: a personal schedule planner shows suitable screenings, a “Film Swiper” helps with selection, purchased tickets can be accessed, and HoF PLUS events are also integrated.
The app also features a ride-sharing platform where users can offer rides to Hof or search for open seats. So anyone looking to explore the festival program will find practically everything in one place.
60 Years—and Hof Right in the Middle of It
The Hof Film Festival is far more than just six days of special films. It brings together filmmakers, audiences, and film enthusiasts, transforming Hof once a year into a meeting place for the German and international film scenes. For students in particular, this offers the opportunity to experience a festival that might otherwise be associated with major film cities—right here in their own college town.
The 60th International Hof Film Festival will take place from October 20 to 25, 2026 . The complete program is already online.
