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A passion for cinema. Curiosity about the world.

BEYOND in brief

BEYOND takes its name literally: the festival looks beyond the boundaries of the familiar cinema programme and turns its attention to other realities of life, new forms of storytelling and questions about the future of society. From 12 to 15 November 2026, KulturKino Feuchtwangen presents the fourth Feuchtwangen edition of the festival, with around 30 feature, documentary and short films from around the world.

The programme includes premieres, conversations with filmmakers, discussions and other events. More than 150 filmmakers from many countries submitted their work for the 2026 edition. At its heart is this year's theme, "The Pluriverse – Many Worlds, One Screen".

Festival profile

BEYOND sees film not just as entertainment, but as a way of making different perspectives and realities of life tangible. In Feuchtwangen, international productions meet an audience that wants not only to watch films, but also to talk about their themes, backgrounds and forms.

Conversations with directors and other members of the film teams are therefore at the core of the festival. The personal encounter between filmmakers and audience is just as important as the screening itself.

The programme comprises feature, documentary and short films. The selection is not just about famous names or big productions. BEYOND deliberately also focuses on independent films, new cinematic voices and works that are rarely seen outside the regular cinema programme.

The Pluriverse – Many Worlds, One Screen

The theme for 2026 is "The Pluriverse". The term stands for the idea that there is not just one universally valid reality, one perspective or one possible path for society. Instead, different experiences, cultures, ways of life and visions of the future exist side by side.

The film programme makes this diversity visible. The selected works tell of different regions and social conditions, of origin and belonging, of family, responsibility, conflicts and visions of the future. The screen becomes a place where different worlds meet and enter into dialogue.

Programme and festival format

BEYOND takes place from 12 to 15 November 2026 at KulturKino Feuchtwangen. The programme comprises around 30 films from different countries and production contexts.

Alongside full-length feature and documentary films, the festival presents short film programmes and other selected works. Many screenings are accompanied by Q&As, discussions or themed events. Filmmakers from many countries are expected in Feuchtwangen to present their work to the audience.

The festival opens with the European premiere of "SNOW OVER KIGALI – An African Christmas Tale". The film is an international co-production from Rwanda, Germany, Paraguay and Argentina and brings together three family stories between Kigali and Berlin.

History of the festival

BEYOND was founded in 2011 in the context of the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HfG) and the ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe. From the very beginning, the festival combined film, art, social debate and new technological developments.

Since 2023, BEYOND has taken place at KulturKino Feuchtwangen. With the move to Middle Franconia, the festival gained a new permanent venue. The 2026 edition is the fourth BEYOND Film Festival in Feuchtwangen.

KulturKino offers a special setting: it combines the focused atmosphere of a classic cinema auditorium with closeness between audience, guests and filmmakers.

Festival director Ludger Pfanz

The initiator and director of BEYOND is filmmaker, author and media artist Ludger Pfanz. He has made more than 20 television documentaries as well as short films, screenplays and immersive media projects.

Pfanz has taught at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design since 1997. In 2010, he founded the Expanded 3Digital Cinema Laboratory there. A year later, he launched BEYOND. From the outset, the festival explored new forms of cinematic storytelling and the relationship between film, technology and social development.

Past guests and programme highlights have included Wim Wenders with "Pina" and Werner Herzog's "Cave of Forgotten Dreams". Ludger Pfanz has received awards for his work, including as a Cultural and Creative Pilot of Germany and as part of the "Germany – Land of Ideas" initiative.

KulturKino Feuchtwangen

KulturKino Feuchtwangen is housed in the historic Regina Lichtspiele cinema at Herrenstraße 3. The cinema was renovated by a volunteer initiative and reopened in April 2022.

KulturKino's concept is built on three pillars: screen, stage and education. Alongside the regular cinema programme, it hosts concerts, theatre, readings, cabaret and other cultural events. Since 2023, KulturKino has also been the home of the BEYOND Film Festival.