The Seriencamp Festival offers production companies, broadcasters, creative collectives, and individuals from Europe a unique opportunity to present their series at the public festival and take part in competitions.
Submissions for the program are now open until February 28, 2026.
Facts & Timing
- Fiction series only
- Submission deadline: February 28, 2026
- Nominees announced: March 10, 2026
- Winners announced: April 7, 2026
Sections
By applying for the Seriencamp Festival 2026, series can qualify for various sections.
"Official Competition"
The “Official Competition” is the festival's main competition section for fictional series with episodes lasting more than 20 minutes.
- Only first seasons of fictional series are eligible for participation. Subsequent seasons are not permitted.
- Series must comprise at least four completed episodes with a running time of more than 20 minutes per episode.
- German premiere status required.
- The program team selects six series. An independent jury of experts chooses a winner.
- Only the winner of this section will be shown and awarded during the festival.
- Nominated series and the winner will receive an official festival laurel.
- The winner is required to send two talents from the series to the festival (announcement approximately nine weeks before the start of the festival).
"Short Form"
The “Short Form” section is aimed at fictional series with episodes lasting less than 20 minutes.
- Series with at least four completed episodes, each lasting less than 20 minutes, are eligible to participate.
- Premiere status is not required for this section.
- The program team will nominate nine series and choose a winner.
- Only the winner will receive a screening slot including an award during the festival.
- The nominated series and the winner will receive an official festival laurel.
- The winner is required to send two talents from the series to the festival (announcement approximately nine weeks before the start of the festival).
"Spotlight: Narratives of Tomorrow"
The “Spotlight: Narratives of Tomorrow” section is a curated, non-competitive section of the festival with a focus on forward-looking narratives, perspectives, and visions.
- Series that clearly fit this given theme in terms of content are eligible to participate.
- In addition to the series, a director's statement must be submitted that clearly explains how and why the project addresses the thematic focus of the section.
- The selection of projects is made exclusively by the festival's program team, without a jury process.
- There are no nominees and no winners in this section. A total of four series will be selected, each of which will receive a screening slot during the festival.
- The selected projects will be announced at the same time as the winners of the competition sections.
"Spotlight: Narratives of Tomorrow" showcases fictional series that push boundaries and explore "what’s next." This section is for creators who challenge old tropes and find fresh ways to build characters and worlds.
Whether set in a changing present or a distant future, these stories help us make sense of today’s world and where we might be headed. We welcome everything from eco-thrillers and dark comedies to high-concept sci-fi as long as the work is forward-thinking and curious. We aren't picky about genre, production date, or tone; whether your project is poetic, funny, or totally surreal, there’s a place for it here.
FAQ
Submission process
Who is eligible to participate?
Individuals, production companies, broadcasters, and creative collectives are eligible to participate, provided they are the authors and/or rights holders of the intellectual property submitted or can prove that they have the necessary rights to submit and publicly screen it.
What types of series are eligible to participate?
Only fictional series formats are eligible to participate. In all sections, only first seasons are eligible to participate; subsequent seasons are excluded.
Can I submit multiple projects?
Yes. Each submitting person or company may submit several different series.
The following applies:
- Only one season per series may be submitted.
- A series may only be submitted in one section.
- The same series may not be submitted to multiple sections at the same time.
Where can I submit my project?
Submissions can only be made via our submission platform.
When is the deadline for submissions?
Submissions are accepted until February 28, 2026.
Is there a fee for submitting?
No. Submission is free of charge.
How do the different sections differ?
- “Official Competition”: Fictional series formats with episodes longer than 20 minutes.
- “Short Form”: Fictional series formats with episodes shorter than 20 minutes.
- “Spotlight: Narratives of Tomorrow”: Thematic section with a curated selection by the program team. Fictional series formats with a thematic connection to future-oriented issues and perspectives; the exact content criteria are described in the Rules & Terms.
Which series will be shown during the festival?
Only the winners of the “Official Competition” and “Short Form” sections will be shown during the festival. In addition, the four selected projects from the “Spotlight: Narratives of Tomorrow” section will receive a screening slot.
Selection of projects
How does the selection process work?
After the submission deadline, the program team selects six series in the “Official Competition” section and nine series in the “Short Form” section. The nominees for the “Official Competition” are submitted to an independent jury of experts, which determines the winner. In the “Short Form” section, the program team selects the winner.
When will I be informed if my series has been nominated or awarded?
The nominees for the “Official Competition” and “Short Form” sections will be announced on March 10, 2026. The winners of the respective sections, as well as the selected projects from the “Spotlight: Narratives of Tomorrow” section, will be informed on April 7, 2026.
Can I submit a work in progress?
Yes. The festival accepts work in progress material in the form of a meaningful rough cut for submission, provided that the content, structure, and artistic intent are clearly recognizable. Work-in-progress submissions will only be accepted if the submitter commits to providing fully completed episodes as DCP (Digital Cinema Package) by the festival period (June 9–11, 2026). Only completed versions will be shown during the festival; work-in-progress versions are not permitted.
Does my series need to be a German premiere?
A German premiere status is only required for submissions in the “Official Competition” section. There is no premiere requirement for all other sections.
In which language will the series be shown?
All series will be shown in their original version (OV) during the festival.
What subtitles are required?
All submitted series must have at least English subtitles. German subtitles are expressly desired and preferred.
What technical formats are required for submission?
At least two episodes must be provided for internal viewing for submission. A DCP (Digital Cinema Package) must be provided for all series selected for screening during the festival. Detailed technical specifications will be communicated to the participants concerned after the selection and jury process has been completed.
What happens to my data and materials after the festival?
After the festival has ended, all submitted and digitally transmitted materials and information will be permanently deleted. Submissions will not be archived.
Who bears the costs for DCP creation and transmission?
The submitter is responsible for providing a suitable DCP or bearing the costs for creating a DCP themselves. Any costs for alternative or analog transmission methods are also the responsibility of the submitter.
Can I withdraw my project after submission?
Yes. During the ongoing submission phase, a submission can be withdrawn at any time. To do so, please contact us by email at ... .
Question not answered?
If you have any further questions about the submission or the festival sections, please contact us at: ...