Das Weihnachtswunder
Dr. Moritz Neiss, who hates Christmas, has been avoiding Christmas Eve for years. That is, until his assistant Charlie transports him to a sparkling Christmas winter wonderland. The first Christmas special of the hit ZDF series starring Jacob Matschenz will be available in the media library starting November 15, 2026, and will air on ZDF on December 20 at 8:15 p.m.

Die tote Braut & Das Horrorhaus von Hünxe
On December 5, 2026, starting at 8:15 p.m., two episodes of the new crime series will air on ARD. The episodes will be available on the ARD media library starting December 3. Directed by Ismail Şahin.

The 18th season of the ZDF series starring Stefanie von Poser and Markus Brandl is currently available in the media library. Starting October 29, the episodes will air on ZDF at 8:15 p.m. each night.

Many thanks to the festival for inviting me to the film talk as part of the 2026 Biberach Film Festival.

“The Invisible Witness” by Alexander Dierbach was awarded the Fernseh-Biber and the Publikums-Biber. The jury wrote: “Every good crime novel is like a submarine.” A quote from crime writer Raymond Chandler, legendary as the creator of private detective Philip Marlowe. The submarine metaphor refers to both style and content—it evokes the often claustrophobic tension and the opportunity to use a crime story to raise socially relevant questions. This film delivers on both fronts—with emotional depth, explosive sociopolitical themes, cinematic rigor, incisive dialogue, and authentic characters. It is courageous not only in its portrayal of xenophobic tendencies but also in its exposure of fatal abuses of power within the police force. What begins as an affair turns into a series of deliberate, murderous acts with repercussions far beyond the individual. We are awarding the Biber for Best TV Movie of 2026 to “The Invisible Witness.”

Spurlos im Moor
The six-part crime thriller series is now available on the ARD Mediathek. Regula Grauwiller plays the role of “Anni Wittmann.” Casting: Nicole Schmied, Odeon Fiction, and Mona Film are producing the series in co-production with ARD Degeto Film for ARD and ORF.

Dreharbeiten
Mira Huber is currently filming the second season of the police drama. Production: Lailaps Films on behalf of SWR for ARD; Casting: JL Casting.

Lars Jessen ist mit zwei Filmen auf der diejährigen TeleVisionale vertreten. Zum einen ist "Micha denkt groß" (Ehrenpreis) zu sehen, zum anderen "Spaziergang nach Syrakus" (nominiert für den MDM Filmgewerkepreis).

On November 23, “Charité 1831” will kick off the festival in Weimar. The four episodes will be available on the ARD Mediathek starting December 18 and will air on Das Erste on December 22 at 8:15 p.m. Director: Alexander Dierbach.

The short film "Das Institut", starring Miriam Ohlmeyer, is premiering in Hof and has also been nominated for the City of Hof Short Film Award. The film “Fake It Till You Break Shit” is also premiering at the Hof Film Festival. Mira Huber stars as “Priska.”

Welt der Träume
The series takes viewers back to Munich in the early 20th century and tells the story of the beginnings of show business. Johanna Bittenbinder has taken on the role of “Aunt Liesl” and is currently filming. Casting: Liza Stutzky and Karen Wendland; Production: Dreamtool Entertainment GmbH on behalf of ARD/Degeto. The series will be available on the ARD media library in 2027.

Alexander Dierbach directed the four episodes of the series, which is set during a time of medical upheaval—a period when modern diagnostic methods were just being developed and women were barred from the medical profession. One woman defying the rules, one city fighting cholera. Available starting December 18 on the ARD media library. Production: UFA Fiction GmbH on behalf of ARD/Degeto.

Celina Rehr has won the First Steps Award in the ‘Screenplay’ category for her screenplay ‘Blaue Stunde’. Congratulations, Celina!

Following the success of *Tödliche Schatten* last year, filming for the sequel has now taken place in Berlin. Alexander Dierbach returned to direct. The father-daughter duo are once again investigating on behalf of ARD Degeto, with production by Hager Moss Film GmbH.

This year’s Biberach Film Festival will feature, amongst others, *The Invisible Witness* (directed by Alexander Dierbach), *Memories of a Forest* (screenplay by Karla Cristóbal and Katharina Rabl), and *Fake It Till You Break Shit*, starring Mira Huber, amongst others.

Starting October 6, 2026, at 7:25 p.m. each night, a new episode of the crime series will air on ZDF. Starting September 29, the episodes will be available on ZDF’s streaming service one week in advance. Dieter Fischer stars as Anton Stadler.

Hochsaison
Detective Hubertus Jennerwein begins his assignment in wintry Garmisch-Partenkirchen. A Danish ski jumper dies after a fall, and an assassination attempt on the president of the Winter Olympics Committee sends shockwaves through the town. Jennerwein must investigate amid a population of suspicious locals. One of them is Manfred Penck, played by Felix Hellmann. The film is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Jörg Maurer and will be in theaters starting November 5, 2026.

Staffel 2
Following the huge success of the first season, six new episodes of the ORF/SAT.1 crime series are currently being filmed between the Prater, the State Opera, and the Danube and will continue through spring 2027. Ismail Şahin will direct three episodes next year. Production: MR Film.

Based on an idea by Etienne Heimann, the new ZDF crime series is currently being produced in Hamburg. Etienne Heimann has written six screenplays for Season 1. The team led by criminal biologist and entomologist Prof. Dr. Tim Kohlbeck solves criminal cases through the precise art of forensics. He is assisted by Chief Detective Katrin Schuhmann. Production: Fiction Magnet GmbH in collaboration with ndF Hamburg.

A young lawyer with Tourette's syndrome who moves from Düsseldorf to the Alps. Keshet Fiction Production is producing the new ZDF series. Sebastian Stern is directing. Vanessa Eckart and Tommy Schwimmer are among the cast.

The new comedy series will be available on the ZDF Mediathek starting September 4 and will air weekly on ZDFneo starting September 29 at 9:45 p.m. The thrilling world of intelligence meets a stuffy German government agency: Five young people—each with great strengths and equally great quirks—who are determined to become agents but are thwarted by rules, reality, and, above all, themselves. Written by Hannah Schopf and Christof Pilsl; directed by Nadine Keil and Christof Pilsl.

Starting September 7, the complete series starring Xenia Tiling—including the new films “Lost Souls” and “Once You Lie”—will be available as a box set in the ARD Media Library.

The six-part psychological thriller miniseries starring Miriam Ohlmeyer premieres on Netflix on October 13. “Die Falle” is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Melanie Raabe. Production: Constantin Film; Casting: Sabine Schwedhelm.

Béla Kampschulte is currently filming the six-part Netflix series. Berlin, 1899: When the rebellious Dolly Pinkus narrowly escapes a serial killer and the authorities stand idly by, she takes the investigation into her own hands. Production: BetaBerlin Productions GmbH in cooperation with Candy Shop GmbH. Casting: Daniela Tolkien.

Komödie im Bayerischen Hof
Bad Wolfgau is a popular spa town. In addition to its soothing natural surroundings—such as fresh air, clean water, beautiful scenery, and wealthy guests—it has yet another advantage: the town maintains its own spa orchestra. For the past seven years, Maestro Sergio Sansalone has served as the town’s general music director, though his real name is Siegfried Brandstetter. He has adopted the identity of this Italian grandee; the image of the Italian musical genius helps him project authority, weave intrigues, and mediate romantic disasters. In early 2027, Dieter Fischer will take the stage in the comedy at the Bayerischer Hof. Tickets are now on sale.