The Festival
Starting in the 1980s, DFF – Deutsches Filminstitut und Filmmuseum (then known as Deutsches Institut für Filmkunde) conceived Eastern European cinema weeks on behalf of the federal government and organised film tours focussing on the region throughout Germany. The institution took up this tradition once again with goEast – Festival of Central and Eastern European Film, which celebrated its inaugural edition in April 2001 and, with its exciting film programming, has been offering important insight into the everyday lives of our Central and Eastern European neighbours every year since. In 2017, Heleen Gerritsen took over as festival director, thus becoming the fifth woman to head the festival, following in the footsteps of Claudia Dillmann, Christine Kopf, Nadja Rademacher and Gaby Babić. Gerritsen is also responsible for the artistic direction of the festival. Bernd Neumann has served as festival patron since 2016.
Over the course of seven festival days, goEast presents the full range of Central and Eastern European filmmaking in Wiesbaden and additional locations around the Rhine-Main region, in a programme featuring current trends, new positions and film-historical rarities, always within the context of discourse regarding socio-political concerns, cinema aesthetics and film theory. Among the most significant and frequently discussed subjects here are European identity/identities and the profound processes of transformation, both historical and contemporary, occurring in the festival’s culturally and politically diverse focus region. Since the beginning of its second decade of existence, goEast has increasingly devoted itself to promoting transcultural perspectives and addressing global issues.
goEast understands itself as a forum for dialogue between East and West, but also as an agent for change and a cultural multiplicator. Panels and workshops, film series and film talks, collective projects with other cultural and societal institutions – the possibilities for creative interaction are many and varied. With virtual reality projects and 360° films as an integral part of the programme, as well as the hybrid format of the festival since 2020, which has advanced the integration of online programming, goEast is also playing a pioneering role when it comes to conceptual innovation. The festival is a platform for networking, exchange and further education. In particular up-and-coming filmmakers and children and adolescents from the region benefit from the creative and pedagogical focal points at goEast.
The programme of goEast is organised in diverse sections, each with their own respective profiles. Central here are, among others, the Competition, with its twin categories for fiction features and documentary films, the Symposium, the East-West Talent Lab, the Portrait/Homage (alternating annually), Bioscop and the goEast Specials. Each section is carefully curated, supported by festival correspondents and experts and – in the Competition – led by a selection committee. Genres and film categories are mixed in the sections. Beyond the cinema space itself, goEast offers a richly varied supporting programme, often assembled in co-operation with local and superregional partners, including Central and Eastern European cultural associations.
FESTIVAL HISTORY
After two-and-a-half years of preparation, goEast Film Festival enriched the Western European cinema scene for the first time in 2001 with its innovative approach. As the first festival director Claudia Dillmann wrote in the preface to the catalogue back then: “It is time to open ourselves up to thoughts, images, myths and stories from our neighbours to the East. To their culture. To their films.” Svetlana Sikora, who served as the festival’s artistic director from its inaugural edition until 2010, was involved in the conceptual development. The declared aim of facilitating genuine cultural dialogue and exchange – between directors and audience as well as between emerging talents from East and West – paved the way for today’s festival format. From the very beginning, goEast was met with great interest and support by the State Capital Wiesbaden and the State of Hessen. In Wiesbaden, a city rich in deep connections to Eastern Europe, the festival found a true home – in one of Germany’s most beautiful cinemas, Caligari FilmBühne. Hilmar Hoffmann assumed the role of festival patron. As early as its third festival year, goEast had already succeeded in establishing itself in the German and international cultural scene and had proven itself to be vital and sustainable, a fact attested to by a significant increase in submissions to the Competition, the first appearance of a jury representing the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) as well as the official inclusion of the event in the festival calendar of the FIAPF.
Over the long-term history of the festival, the world has changed continually, marked by both Western and Eastern European political crises, wars and problematic EU debates. Still, through the decades, goEast has remained true to its concept. To express it in the words of Gaby Babić: “We see festival programming as a responsibility” – responsibility for a Europe with collective, humane, solidarity-based politics as part of an intensive engagement with identity, tradition, culture and future perspectives within a comprehensive programme featuring current films, scholarly supporting events, lectures and discussions – as well as friendly competition among peers: from 2019 to 2021 the RheinMain Short Film Award, the Award for Cultural Diversity and the International Film Critics’ Awards. Since the festival’s inception, goEast has honoured the best film with the “Golden Lily”. The State Capital Wiesbaden presents the Award for Best Director, endowed with 7,500 euros in prize money.
In autumn of 2017, Heleen Gerritsen took over as director of the festival (with the overlapping responsibility for its artistic direction), becoming the fifth woman to head the festival, following in the footsteps of Claudia Dillmann, Christine Kopf, Nadja Rademacher and Gaby Babić.
Bernd Neumann has served as patron of the festival since 2016.
Technology is advancing in leaps and bounds, a situation that goEast Film Festival has embraced with enthusiasm. In 2018, virtual reality works were presented for the first time, which evolved into a tradition. In the following years, VR productions were presented frequently, ultimately opening the way for an expansive exploration of digital worlds in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 21st edition of the festival took place almost entirely online under difficult circumstances. However, this served once again to demonstrate how connected the world of film culture truly is.
Awards & Juries
Awards
MAIN COMPETITION
- Award for Best Film (10,000 euros)
- Award of the City of Wiesbaden for Best Director (7,500 euros)
- International Film Critic’s Awards (FIPRESCI-Award)
RHEIN MAIN SHORT FILM COMPETITION
- Award for Best Short Film (2,500 euros)
EAST-WEST TALENT LAB
- Renovabis Research Grant for a film project with a focus on human rights (3,500 euros)
- Pitch the Doc-Award (endowed with 500 euros)
Juries
- International Jury – Main Competition
- FIPRESCI Jury – Main Competition
- Jury of the Rhein Main Short Film Competition
- Jury of the East-West Talent Lab
Team
Jobs
The 26th edition of goEast will take place from April 21–27, 2026, in Wiesbaden.
For this, we are once again looking for film-enthusiastic, culturally interested, and dedicated volunteers. During the festival week, you will expand and support our team and contribute to making the festival possible.
Shortly before, during, and directly after the festival week, we require support in various areas. Ideally, you can volunteer up to 20 hours between April 20–29. Shifts vary depending on the individual area (usually between 4–8 hours), so that on your days off you will still have plenty of time to experience the diversity of the festival yourself.
In return, in addition to a positive working environment, a fantastic team, and behind-the-scenes insights into a film festival, we offer the following:
- A personalized festival pass granting you free admission to all film screenings and almost all festival events
- Catering during your working days
- Close encounters with international filmmakers and artists
- Films, parties, Q&As, symposium events, and much more
- Work experience in the field of film festivals/ cultural work
We are looking for support in Wiesbaden as well as at Frankfurt Airport in the following areas:
PROGRAM BOOKLET DISTRIBUTION //
(late March / early April 2026)
A few weeks before the festival, we receive the freshly printed program booklets. In order to activate potential audiences and ensure that our screenings and events are well attended, we distribute them throughout the city. You are welcome to support us in planning distribution routes and handing them out in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt, Mainz, and Darmstadt. You will be out and about with other volunteers and members of our core festival team. Perhaps you also know suitable spots frequented by our target groups where we can leave copies.
SET-UP & DISMANTLING //
before and after the festival week at our locations (April 20–21 and April 28–29, 2026)
If you can carry a large wardrobe all by yourself, that is impressive — but not required here. During the set-up and dismantling at our festival locations, we need helping hands to move smaller items from A to B, decorate spaces, or pack guest bags.
GUEST MANAGEMENT //
supporting our full-time team (April 20–28, 2026)
In guest services, you are often the first point of contact for our guests on site and help ensure they have a pleasant stay: whether waiting at the airport meeting point after their arrival, accompanying them in the shuttle to their accommodation, or assisting with hotel check-in. goEast welcomes many international guests, therefore good English skills are required. Knowledge of Central and Eastern European languages can be helpful but not mandatory. For this role, you may travel to the airport by train yourself. After meeting the guests, our drivers will take you and the guests to the hotel in Wiesbaden, or you may stay at the airport to welcome the next arrivals. Alternatively, you can head home afterward.
SHUTTLE DRIVER //
(April 20–28, 2026)
We offer our festival guests the highest possible comfort after what is often a long journey. As a driver, you shuttle our international film guests between the hotel, the airport, and festival locations. To drive for us, you must hold a valid Class B driver’s license, have sufficient driving experience, and demonstrate a calm and considerate driving style. Vehicles are provided by a cooperation partner, and you are insured in case of any damage. If you are interested in this role, please let us know whether you can drive automatic and/or manual vehicles and whether you are comfortable driving only certain vehicle sizes (we use station wagons and 9-seater vans). A passenger transport license is not required.
CATERING //
support during the opening (on April 21, 2026), the party (on April 24, 2026), beverage distribution during lunch (from April 22–27, 2026), and the award ceremony (on April 27, 2026)
On the opening day of goEast, we are at the Caligari FilmBühne from late afternoon onward. Tasks include carrying light items, slicing and skewering cucumbers, pouring vodka, and carrying light trays.
At our festival party on Friday at the festival center, we prepare the venue (decorations, drinks), later run the bar (serving drinks, mixing simple long drinks, operating the dishwasher), and do some clean-up. You will not have to operate a cash register.
During lunch, we distribute complimentary bottled drinks to our guests. Drinks are handed out in exchange for a beverage voucher.
At the goEast award ceremony, we are once again at the Caligari FilmBühne, and the tasks are nearly identical to those at the opening event.
EVENT SUPPORT & ORGANIZATIONAL ASSISTANCE //
various tasks (April 21–27, 2026)
A film festival is dynamic, and a wide range of tasks arise. On the one hand, there are regular duties around screenings, panel discussions, and film talks: checking cinema tickets before screenings or helping prepare and reset presentation rooms. On the other hand, unexpected situations occur: someone at the entrance may be absent and need replacing, or an item may urgently need to be transported somewhere. For this, we need floaters who can switch from standby to active mode. It is important that we can reach you at any time on your silent smartphone so you can take on a small task. Most assignments can be completed on foot; for longer distances, we will of course shuttle you.
EMERGING TALENT PROGRAM: EAST-WEST TALENT LAB //
various tasks (April 23–28, 2026)
The East-West Talent Lab is goEast’s emerging talent program. Participants attend various smaller events to exchange ideas, further their education, and network. A full-time staff member already coordinates the participants and events. However, sometimes events take place simultaneously at two locations, or preparation and follow-up are easier with two people. If you are interested in this area, you are welcome to help a few days before the festival begins, for example by printing materials or packing information bags. Ideally, you would be available to support the program throughout the entire specified period, as working as a consistent team would make things easier for both you and our assistant. Events often take place from morning to afternoon, leaving your evenings free to attend screenings.
Through our festival software Eventival, you can first create an account and, after successfully logging in, register your interest in volunteering. Ideally, please indicate at least two areas so that we can assign you flexibly during the festival week. If you already have an Eventival account from previous years, you can simply log in with your existing credentials. If you have any questions or encounter technical issues (for example, a forgotten password), please contact us by email at: goEast-orga@dff.film
We will collect all applications submitted by April 3 and will need approximately 10–14 days afterward to provide you with a binding response.
Gallery
Here you can find our festival impressions 2025 with photos by Roman Polanski, Anja Kessler and Beata Siewicz.
23.04.2025-29.04.2025
goEast Festival Impressions 2025
At the end of April for the 25th time goEast transformed the Hessian capital Wiesbaden into one of the most important international venues for cinema from Central and Eastern Europe.
Check out the highlights of the 25th anniversary edition in our video documentary.
Video Documentary – Alex Simonov, Theo Lorenz, Micha Reinke
Partners
Funders
Sponsors
Media partners
Partners
Support
There are several ways to support goEast – Festival of Central and Eastern European Film. Here, we would like to introduce you to some of these ways. If you are interested, we kindly ask you to get in touch the festival team in order to assure the best solution for your individual ideas and possibilities.
FOR INDIVIDUALS
Are you passionate about Central and Eastern European cinema or their cultures? We look forward to your commitment, for example as a volunteer in the run-up to the festival or during the festival week in Wiesbaden and Frankfurt. As a volunteer you can gain insight into numerous areas of everyday festival life as well as actively support our team. Areas of support include the distribution of advertising materials, admission control in the festival cinemas or accompanying our film guests.
Would you like to support the artistic work of the festival financially? Then we look forward to your transfer to the following account:
Account holder: DFF – Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum e.V.
IBAN: DE23 5109 0000 0000 8917 11
BIC/SWIFT: WIBADE5WXXX
Wiesbaden Volksbank
Purpose: SURNAME, FIRST NAME “Donation goEast”
Please email us your name and address in order for us to send you a donation receipt.
Thank you for your donation!
FOR COMPANIES
Would you like to place your company in the vicinity of the festival and support cultural projects? Then join our goEast sponsors! The events in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt and several more in the Rhine-Main area attract more than 12,000 visitors each year. From in-kind sponsorship, a film patronage that enables us to invite film guests to Wiesbaden, to premium sponsorship, we are happy to offer you a package that meets your needs. Please contact our festival team.
The festival can also accept and certify company donations as part of the DFF, please contact us!