European Short Film Competition

The heart of the Filmfestival Münster offers a colorful mix of animated films, documentaries and short feature films from 12 different countries – from the Faroe Islands to Portugal.

Six programs will feature a total of 36 short films between two and 30 minutes in length. The productions from 2020 and 2021 were either made at film schools or independently and are all being shown in Münster for the first time. The winner of the Filmwerkstatt Grand Prize, which will be determined by an international jury, will receive prize money of 3,000 euros, donated by Die Linse e.V..

In addition, the audience chooses its favorite and the winning filmmaker receives prize money of 1,000 euros, donated by the Münstersche Filmtheater-Betriebe.

Well over 500 short films from 27 European countries were submitted for the competition. Although the Corona pandemic was the subject of numerous films, it is primarily interpersonal relationships and social issues that preoccupy the filmmakers. Many of them resort to hybrid narrative forms, interweaving narrative elements with documentary moments or animation – the genre of short film remains a field of experimentation and a playground for young filmmakers who explore their freedoms and provide audiences with new viewing experiences.