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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.