The Filmfest Hamburg Industry Days will be further expanded following their launch last year. From 28 September to 1 October 2026, the industry programme of the Hamburg Film Festival once again bring together international filmmakers, producers, distributors and festival representatives in the Hanseatic city.

The programme for 2026 will once again include the European Work in Progress (EWIP), the International Film Distribution Summit (IFDS) and the „Made in Germany“ discussion series, which focuses on current developments in the German film and media industry. The programme is complemented, amongst other things, by the Explorer Conference on the future of European film production, as well as various talent and emerging talent programmes.

At the same time, a new call for participation is being launched: industry representatives have until 18 May to submit topic proposals and programme items. We are looking for contributions on structural, cultural and economic issues within the film and media industry – including financing, creativity, diversity, decision-making structures and sustainable production. Planned formats include panels, keynote speeches, case studies, moderated discussions and fishbowl discussions.

The EWIP programme’s first international successes are attracting further attention: with „Elephants in the Fog“ by Abinash Bikram Shah and „I’ll Be Gone in June“ by Katharina Rivilis Two projects that won awards in Hamburg in 2025 are now being screened in the „Un Certain Regard“ section of the Cannes Film Festival. This confirms the festival’s strategy of establishing Hamburg as an international platform for projects in the final stages of production.

The EWIP has been an integral part of the Industry Days since 2025 and is organised in cooperation with the MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein implemented. Since last year, the Industry Days have been led by Fabian Massah.