Expanding Boundaries | Submissions Open for the 3rd Hamburg Chinese Film Festival 2025!

We are thrilled to announce that the 3rd Hamburg Chinese Film Festival (CFFH) is now officially accepting submissions! Scheduled to take place from May 7th to 11th, 2025 (tentative), CFFH continues to serve as a dynamic platform that celebrates the diversity, innovation, and artistic expression within films from or related to Chinese-speaking communities. We warmly welcome filmmakers from around the globe to participate, bringing their unique visions to Hamburg’s international audience.

CFFH aims to highlight a wide range of films from or related to Chinese-speaking communities, from traditional narrative films to cutting-edge experimental works. Whether you are creating narrative features, documentaries, short films, animations, or exploring more avant-garde forms like expanded cinema and intermedia cinema, we encourage you to submit. Our festival embraces both creative risk-taking and more conventional storytelling with distinct voices and heartfelt emotions.

Why Submit to CFFH?

CFFH provides an inclusive platform that not only honors the rich tradition of films from or related to Chinese-speaking communities but also pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling. Through a combination of film screenings, panel discussions, and interactive events, we aim to foster deep exchanges between filmmakers, industry professionals, and global audiences. Here are just a few reasons to submit your film:

Thorough Review Process: Our selection committee will carefully review every film, ensuring that each submission receives fair consideration.

Platform for Innovation: We highlight innovative films that challenge conventional boundaries and storytelling methods, allowing groundbreaking projects to be recognized.

Expert Evaluation: Renowned filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals will be part of our jury, offering insightful feedback and opportunities for professional growth.

International Exposure: Selected films will be showcased to a diverse audience in Hamburg, fostering connections and expanding visibility for filmmakers beyond their local markets.

Networking Opportunities: Filmmakers will have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, other filmmakers, and audience members through screenings, Q&A sessions, and special events.

About Us

The Hamburg Chinese Film Festival (CFFH) originated from the Riparian: Chinese Independent Film Showcase Hamburg project in 2022. Founded by filmmaker Hanqi Sheng and artist Zhichao Zhu, this project began as a small-scale initiative to screen independent films from or related to Chinese-speaking communities in Hamburg. With the tremendous support of local cultural institutions, what started as an experimental showcase quickly developed into a full-fledged film festival. By the end of 2022, the non-profit organization Chinesische Medien- und Filmkunst e.V. was officially established to oversee the festival’s operations and future growth.

The first edition of CFFH took place from January 8th to 15th, 2023, under the name “CHINESE FILM+: Chinese Film and Video Festival Hamburg.” It featured 9 feature films and 3 short film programs, totaling 12 screenings, 2 roundtable discussions, and a contemporary video art exhibition. The event attracted a diverse audience of film lovers, scholars, and creators, garnering critical acclaim for its focus on artistic and experimental Chinese films. Directors like Jiang Hongqi, Tawfiq Nizamidin, and Pepe Danquart (an Oscar-winning filmmaker) attended the festival and participated in discussions, providing valuable insights to both the public and the festival’s future direction.

The second edition was held from May 7th to 13th, 2024, expanding both its program and reach. We received over 500 submissions from around the world and curated a selection of 35 films, including narrative features, documentaries, short films, and experimental works. The final jury consisted of Qiu Jiongjiong, Yu Qiong, Canan Turan, and Jens Geiger-Kiran, who provided valuable insights and played a crucial role in selecting the winning films. The festival successfully engaged with a broader audience, not only in Hamburg but also attracting visitors from other parts of Europe.

As we look toward the third edition in 2025, we are committed to continuing the festival’s mission of fostering dialogue between filmmakers and audiences, and showcasing diverse, innovative voices in Chinese cinema. With expanded programming and even more engagement opportunities, CFFH is poised to become one of Europe’s most prominent platforms for films and visual art from or related to Chinese-speaking communities.

For more details, visit our official website https://chinesefilmfest.de/ or contact us at info@chinesefilmfest.de.