You have until the end of October 2026 to vote for your favorite. In the “Best National Film (Theater)” category, the nominees include “Steckerlfischfiasko,” starring Stephan Zinner and Max Schmidt, and “Spaziergang nach Syrakus” by Lars Jessen.

You have until the end of October 2026 to vote for your favorite. In the “Best National Film (Theater)” category, one of the nominees is “Kalter Hund,” starring Christiane Bärwald, Johanna Bittenbinder, and Kathrin Anna Stahl.

You have until the end of October 2026 to vote for your favorite. In the “Best Film (TV & Streaming) – National” category, the nominees include “Nix ist fix” starring Felix Hellmann and “Mein bester Freund, seine Freundin und ich” starring Mira Huber and Yung Ngo.

You have until the end of October 2026 to vote for your favorites. In the “Best National Series” category, Christof Pilsl's “Spy On” is among the nominees. In the “Best National Film (Theatrical)” category, you can vote for “Der Heimatlose,” starring Andreas Nickl

Die Stadt, die es nicht gibt
The new episode of the TV series is now available in the ZDF Mediathek and will air on ZDF on August 22 at 8:15 p.m. The screenplay was written by Alexander Liegl and Matthias Kiefersauer. Detectives Flierl, Neuhauser, and Schaller are still wondering who this new Senior Detective Inspector Hösl actually is when the death of young Nora sends the three of them on a trip back to the ’80s.

Lars Jessen’s new film opens in theaters on August 20. A trip to Syracuse and back—that’s what Paul Gompitz dreams of. He wants to travel to Sicily to follow in the footsteps of the poet Johann Gottfried Seume. There’s just one problem: It’s 1982, and Paul lives in the GDR

The film will be available on the ZDF Mediathek starting August 21 and will air on ZDF on September 13 at 8:15 p.m. It was directed by Sebastian Stern. After yet another failed relationship, Viola Berger decides to put an end to her love life once and for all. But the universe has other plans.

Dangerous Lies
Beneath the Eternal City of Rome lie precious artifacts that bear witness to its unique history. A sensational archaeological discovery serves as the starting point for the ninth film in the Degeto series. The film will be available in the ARD media library starting August 27 and will air on ARD on August 29 at 8:15 p.m. Clelia Sarto returns in the role of RICARDA MOTTE.

nomination
Celina Rehr has been nominated for this year’s First Steps Award in the “Screenplay” category for *Blaue Stunde*. The jury writes: A camping vacation becomes the setting for a childhood that ends far too soon. *BLAUE STUNDE* strikes an impressive balance between summery lightness and creeping overwhelm. Without resorting to major dramatic climaxes, the screenplay builds steadily growing tension and portrays characters whose relationships are as believable as they are multifaceted. Particularly impressive is how consistently the child’s emotional perspective is maintained right up to the surprising and touching conclusion. An atmospherically rich screenplay with great narrative clarity and a keen sense for the nuances of family relationships. The awards ceremony will take place on October 5, 2026, in Berlin.

Staffel 5
In the episode “Überfall,” Yung Ngo plays the role of VINH. It's now available to watch on the ZDF media library. Johnny is now selling insurance. Just as he's trying to talk Tracy into buying a policy for her shop, a robber bursts into the beauty salon and takes hostages.

Marco Petry's Netflix comedy is now available. Mira Huber and Yung Ngo star as ANTJE and JOCHEN. Casting: Die Besetzer; Production: W&B Television GmbH.

Matthias Lehmann’s film hits theaters on December 3. Before that, it will premiere at the 5-Seen Festival in Starnberg. Since his wife’s death, Georg has lost one thing above all else: his will to live. As expected, falling in love with his therapist, of all people, proves to be a rather hopeless endeavor. In a moment of acute despair, Georg takes his hair dryer into the full bathtub. Just then, his brother UWE (Eckhard Preuß) suddenly appears at the door.

After fourteen years, Hein returns to his hometown on a remote island, only to discover that the close-knit community no longer recognizes him. They suspect him of being an impostor and demand a trial to determine his true identity. The film premiered at the 2026 Berlinale and will be in theaters starting August 27. Andreas Nickl plays the role of FIETE.

The new Eberhofer crime thriller hits theaters on August 13, 2026. Stephan Zinner and Max Schmidt will, of course, be back as “Simmerl” and “Wolfi.”

Karla Cristóbal is writing the screenplay for Maverick Film’s new feature film. The FFF Bayern has provided funding for the project’s story development. The film tells the story of young Charly, who takes a job at the world’s first sex shop, thereby breaking free from the constraints of middle-class family life in the 1960s. But working alongside her famous boss, Beate Uhse, her struggle for sexual freedom threatens to end precisely where success and business take precedence over everything else.

Clelia Sarto is currently filming for the ZDF series. Following the series' successful debut this year, production is now underway on the next season. Clelia Sarto will once again portray “Louise Kempfer.”

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.

The new “Tatort Stuttgart” episode, “Stäffele,” will premiere at the German Film Festival in Ludwigshafen am Rhein. Stefanie von Poser stars as “Monika Kienle.”

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.

A self-assured “Very Best Ager” reunites with his old flame, a progressive professor. The romantic comedy “An Almost Perfect Proposal,” starring Johanna Bittenbinder, among others, is screening at the festival in Ludwigshafen am Rhein. The film is also nominated for the 2026 Rheingold Audience Award.

goes Toronto
The film by Katharina Rabl and Karla Cristóbal, who co-wrote the screenplay, will be screened in the Discovery section at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.

“Der Heimatlose,” starring Andreas Nickl, will be screened at the 22nd German Film Festival in Ludwigshafen am Rhein and is thus also nominated for the 2026 Rheingold Audience Award. The film had previously premiered at this year's Berlinale.

Alexander Dierbach is already celebrated the premiere of "Der unsichtbare Zeuge" at this year's Munich Film Festival. Now the film can also be seen at the 22nd Ludwigshafen German Film Festival. It is also in the running for the 2026 Rheingold Audience Award.

Following its premiere at the 43rd Munich Film Festival, Lars Jessen will present his film, “Spaziergang nach Syrakus,” at the German Film Festival in Ludwigshafen am Rhein. In addition to the 2026 Rheingold Audience Award, the film has also been nominated for the Film Art Award.

A group of friends plans to spend the weekend at Juliane’s chalet in the mountains. After a grueling climb, they reach the top only to find a surprise waiting for them: Three strangers have taken up residence in the chalet and refuse to leave. The confrontation with the trio puts the group to the test, and soon everyone is wondering who is friend and who is foe. Felix Hellmann plays the role of “Erwin.” Available starting August 1 in the ZDF Mediathek and on August 10 at 8:15 p.m. on ZDF.

Filming has begun on the 26th season. Dieter Fischer is back in front of the camera as “Kommissar Stadler.” Bavaria Fiction GmbH is producing 24 episodes for ZDF. Casting: Tessa Frank.

The film opens in German theaters on September 24, 2026. Yung Ngo plays the role of “Mr. Nguyen.” Twelve-year-old Emil Tischbein travels alone from his hometown of Neustadt to Berlin to visit his grandmother and cousin Pony Hütchen. But during the train ride, a shady man named Grundeis steals all his money. Instead of going to the police, Emil takes matters into his own hands. Production: UFA Fiction GmbH, Director: David Dietl, Casting: Nina Haun.