42nd Gay Film Week Freiburg

The 42nd Schwule Filmwoche Freiburg opens its doors again on April 29, 2026. The oldest gay film festival still in existence was launched in 1985 by the predecessor of Rosa Hilfe Freiburg e.V. and aimed, among other things, to bring gay films to the big screen that would otherwise find it difficult to make it into the regular cinema program. Over the years, the festival has been increasingly modified and expanded and is now an integral part of queer life in Freiburg and the surrounding area.

To this day, we highlight the diverse aspects of queer life all over the world. National and international feature films as well as moving documentaries characterize the extensive programme, as do short films, retrospectives and audience discussions with the filmmakers.

The audience is always invited to rate the films. This year, for the first time, there will also be two endowed prizes for the best feature film and the best short film.

A team of over a dozen volunteer film enthusiasts view films for a whole year, travel to festivals such as the Berlinale, exchange ideas with other festivals and try to put together the most ambitious and varied program possible for the Freiburg audience.

In addition, there is an extensive supporting program around the film week itself, vernissages, school screenings, parties, readings and much more.

Collaborations with Queeramnesty and other organizations, for example, as well as with the Freiburg Lesbian Film Festival, have existed for many years and broaden the perspective on queer films

Special events throughout the year such as the open air in the courtyard of the Black Monastery, a Christmas special and other extra events round off the film program.