With World Premieres and unconventional films from Cannes and Locarno, the festival has offered a first glimpse of this year's program. The selection once again celebrates bold young voices in independent cinema alongside new work from established cinema outlaws such as Edgar Pêra, Michael Polish and Bertrand Mandico.

Roma Elastica, France, Italy 2026, Bertrand Mandico (GermanPremiere)
Starring Marion Cotillard and Noémie Merlant, Bertrand Mandico's latest film takes us to Rome in 1982, where Eddie, an actress who has had her moment of American glory, arrives to star in a science-fiction film that could be her last. Accompanied by her loyal makeup artist Valentina, Eddie enters a world of fading glamour, strange encounters and a film industry in transition. Premiered at Cannes, »Roma Elastica« is a dreamlike portrait of an actress at the twilight of her career and a tribute to the ghosts of Italian cinema. The film will be released in Germany by Rapid Eye Movies.

The Joyless Economy, USA 2026, Marjorie Conrad (German Premiere)
Marjorie Conrad’s filmic essay on the life story of an unknown woman is a unique, hypnotic, and multifaceted cinematic experience, both in form and narrative. Drawing on the woman’s video collection, Conrad recounts her desires, sexual discoveries, and infidelities—all without a trace of affectation. Pure cinema—poetic and truly existential—emerges as a feminist portrait of a cinephile life, exploring the interplay between film preferences and lived experience. The film premiered at the Cannes Festival, where it stood out as a singular work of radicality and originality.

Asphalt Guerilla, Portugal 2026, Edgar Pêra (German Premiere)
In Edgar Pêra’s latest cinematic meta-puzzle, the boundaries between political idealism and cinematic rebellion blur. Pêra traces the disastrous history of anamateur guerrilla cell from the 1980s, as well as the chaotic attempt in the 1990s to bring their story to the big screen. »Asphalt Guerilla« is a fictional film rooted in reality, recounting a utopian phase of Portuguese democracy in the 80s. Almost imperceptibly, the director’s own story weaves into this nostalgic, anarchic look at the fight against the system—a struggle that feels more relevant today than it has in a long time.

Bruton, USA 2026, Vincent Grashaw (German Premiere)
Inspired by the true story of Bryan Bruton—a charismatic small-time criminal from Jacksonville whose single, fateful mistake leads to a ten-year prison sentence—this wild, gripping true-crime tale blends hope, humor, and hard-won resilience behind bars. Following its world premiere in Locarno, »Bruton« marks Vincent Grashaw’s return to Oldenburg, where he previously presented »Bang Bang« and last year’s "Spirit of Cinema Award" winner, »Keep Quiet«. Once again, he tells a story from the fringes of society, giving his brilliant ensemble, led by Theo Rossi, plenty of room for outstanding performances.

Superbuhei, Germany 2026, Josef Brandl (European Premiere)
Jesse Bronske is convinced that his twin brother, Aaron, has tracked him downand is now intent on taking over his life, step by step. As he sinks deeper into paranoia and attempts to drown his fears in alcohol, his life begins to unravel. Oliver Korittke shines in a dual lead role in this grotesque tragicomedy. Filming took place in Hannover-Langenhagen—a location that is, in itself, the epitome of small-town stifling conformity. What Josef Brandl conjures from this setting in his feature debut—including a cameo by Scorpions frontman Klaus Meine—is German cinema liberated from all provincial baggage: a dark, hilarious, and liberating outcry against oppression of any kind. The music of Düsseldorf Düsterboys finds its perfect visual home in Josef Brandl’s homage to cinematic greats ranging from Kaufman to Lynch.

First Line-Up of World Premieres:

Big Daddy's Flowers, USA 2026, Matthew Osubor (World Premiere)
Under the mentorship of indie icon Alexandre Rockwell, Matthew Osubor turns his hometown of Providence into the backdrop for his feature debut about the enigmatic Big Daddy and his thriving flower delivery service. Osubor takes on the lead role as an unsuspecting deliveryman who takes his new job soseriously that it takes him a long time to realize why he cares far more about the magnificent floral arrangements than he does about his clients. It is an affectionate story about small-time crooks and big emotions, featuring a lightness of touch that proves infectious.

Foreign Tongue, Canada 2026, Boris Mojsovski (World Premiere)
In this love letter to the immigrant experience, language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and isolation are portrayed with lyrical absurdity, humor, and—above all—empathy. Driven by the comedic talent of lead actress Kimberly Sue Murray, the film transforms the emotional journey of immigrants—and the expectations placed upon them for perfect integration—into a quirky, irreverent comedic gem. Director Boris Mojsovski, himself a Bosnian refugee, brings humor and personal experience to a film that discovers the universal within the deeply unfamiliar.

Kill Me Now, USA 2026, Michael Polish (World Premiere)
An author racing against the clock to finish her first Hollywood thriller seeks refuge in her home—only to discover that her own life is increasingly mirroring the story she is writing. Convinced that her neighbor is plotting to murder her, she finds the boundaries between paranoia, fantasy, and reality blurring.Alongside wonderful actors such as Mena Suvari, Mario Van Peebles, and Keith Carradine, author Jacqueline Singer takes on the lead role in her own story, adding yet another layer between reality and fantasy to this latest film from indie icon Michael Polish. It is a darkly playful thriller about the stories we tellourselves—and what happens when they suddenly feel dangerously real.

Mackenzie, USA 2026, Mylissa Fitzsimmons (World Premiere)
Based on a true event from director Mylissa Fitzsimmons’ childhood, »Mackenzie« is a sensitive reflection on growing up and that pivotal moment when childhood imagination collides with the reality of adult life. Set against the backdrop of the Utah desert, eleven-year-old Juniper dreams of running away to California to marry her TV crush—1980s heartthrob Mackenzie Astin. Shot in just eight days with a two-person crew and a child actor with no prior experience, the film turns its production constraints into part of its charm. Intimate, humorous, and deeply personal, »Mackenzie« is a small film with a big heart.

You Won't Believe What Happened Before, North Macedonia 2026, Srdjan Janicijevic (World Premiere)
When a compromising video exposing a corrupt autocrat falls into the hands of two maverick journalists, a desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of the opposition turns into a chaotic journey filled with betrayal, blackmail, and murder. Navigating a political landscape where everyone has something to hide, the film blends the tension of a political thriller with dark humor and the structure of an unconventional road movie. With its non-linear narrative and escalating sense of danger, Srdjan Janicijevic’s feature debut is a sharp, unpredictable tale about journalism, power, and the extreme measures people take to keep their secrets safe.

Filmmakers from all the above international films will be in attendance in Oldenburg to present their films to our audiences

The Trailer:

The trailer for 2026 pays homage to John Carpenter’s 1974 debut, »Dark Star«. Co-written with Dan O’Bannon, the film was an ultra-low-budget counterpoint to Kubrick’s »2001: A Space Odyssey« and later served as a sort of comic blueprint for another sci-fi classic: Dan O’Bannon’s »Alien« (1979, directed byRidley Scott). The festival trailer takes that 1970s theme of long space voyages and ironically translates it into a long journey through the facets of a contentious festival history—a struggle for cultural recognition.

The trailer was produced with the support of Oeins, M101 Media, iyuno, and TrickWilk.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORV6wRtQj4I&t=47s