Est. 2018 · Germany

Comedy & Crime

The first short film competition dedicated to Comedy & Crime
Where laughter meets suspense.

Discover More Submit Your Film
Submit on filmfreeway
New Edition · 2027
About the Festival

Where Short Films
Make a Big Impact

This film festival is the first short film competition to celebrate the art of storytelling and to combine two of cinema's most compelling genres: Comedy & Crime. Founded by a collective of filmmakers, producers, and cinephiles, our mission is to champion emerging voices and give independent short films the spotlight they deserve.

Every submission is reviewed by industry professionals who understand that a powerful story doesn't need a Hollywood budget — just vision, craft, and courage.

2 in 1
Categories
4
Jury Members
13
Max. Minutes
Participation Rules

What You Need
to Know

Clear guidelines ensure a fair and exciting competition for every filmmaker — from first-timers to seasoned veterans.

Competing Categories

Comedy Crime
01
Film Length

Submissions must be between 1 and 13 minutes in total runtime, including titles, credits, and any post-credit scenes.

02
Original Work

All submitted films must be original works. Fan films, remakes without explicit rights, or plagiarised content will be immediately disqualified.

03
Language & Subtitles

Films may be in English. Non-English films must include accurate English subtitles embedded in the video file.

04
Format Requirements

Accepted formats: MP4, MOV, or MKV at a minimum resolution of 1080p (1920×1080). Maximum file size is 6 GB.

05
Category Selection

You must enter your film in Comedy and Crime. Films should blend both genres. We will show some examples on our Facebook-Site.

06
Submission Deadline

All films must be submitted by 11 July 2027, 23:59 CEST. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

07
Rights & Licensing

Filmmakers retain full copyright of their work. By submitting, you grant Filmfest a non-exclusive right to screen the film at the festival and in promotional materials. We don´t pay any screening fees.

08
Premiere Status

Films that have previously won top prizes at other international festivals must be declared. There is no premiere requirement, but undisclosed prior wins may result in disqualification.

09
Use of AI

Possible, but must be declared upon submission.

Youtube Video

Where it happens

Surrounded by three lakes, Preetz is located in northern Germany, near Kiel. The Schwentine River its name derived from a Slavic word meaning "the holy, strong one" flows through the town. The monastery, founded in 1211, provided the decisive impetus for the town's development during the Middle Ages. By around 1850, there were 160 independent master shoemakers in Preetz; since then, it has also been known as the "Shoemaker Town." The "Capitol" cinema is run by the third generation.

Festival Selections

Past & Official
Selections

A glimpse into the stories that have captivate our audience last time. Film stills from our last event. Selected Films for the next filmfest will be seen here in September 2027 and the winning films will be announced here at the end of September.

Film still from The sexy cine clip
J. Schulz · 6 min The Sexy Cine Clip
Film still from Bratfettkalle
Bratfettkalle · 9 min Bratfettkalle
Film still from nullkommasieben
M. Boll · 3 min Zero Point Seven
Film still from Siegrid & Rolf
R. Bigale | M. Kinscheck · 6 min Siegrid & Rolf
Film still from Shit Happens
S. Remarque · 3 min Shit Happens
Film still from The not so great Escape
S. Sachert, Ott · 6:44 min The not so great Escape
Film still from Key Experience
O. Boczek · 12:56 min Key Experience
Film still from Two half roasted chickens
J. Knecht · 3:12 min Two half roasted chickens
Film still from Bärtierchen
Bärtierchen · 3:54 min Bärtierchen
Film still from Heaven
Heaven · 10:19 min Thomstin
People in front of the cinema
Filmfest Day People in front of the cinema
Curator J. Kramer
Introduction to the program Curator J. Kramer
Meet the Jury

The Minds Behind
the Verdict

Our distinguished jury brings decades of combined experience in film, television, and independent cinema.

Portrait of Sarah Price
Sarah Price
Jury Chair · Producer

American director and producer known for the feature documentaries "The Yes Men" & "American Movie" (1999 Winner at the Sundance Film Festival). IMDB

Portrait of Yatra Srinivassan
Yatra Srinivassan
Filmmaker · Actor

Indian director & scriptwriter focuses on independent filmmaking and original screenplays. Founder of Yatra Arts Media.

Portrait of Mandala Tayde
Mandala Tayde
Actress · Italy

The actress Mandala Tayde is specially known in italy. But in the past decades she also works on many productions in germany. IMDB

Portrait of Jens Kramer
Jens Kramer
Founder · Curator

Since 2018 the german filmmaker organized the Comedy & Crime Shortfilm-Event at his hometown. IMDB

Latest News

Stay in the Loop

Festival announcements, submission updates, and press coverage — all in one place.

Submissions Open
Announcement
Submissions Opens October 1st 2026

After months of preparation, we are proud to announce that Filmfest 2027 is soon accepting entries.

Jury members at a panel discussion
Jury
Full Jury Revealed — Three Exceptional Professionals

We are thrilled to unveil our complete jury panel, bringing together directors, producers, cinematographers, and performers.

The Cinema in Preetz
Venue
Screening Location Confirmed: Capitol Cine Center

We are delighted to partner with Capitol Cine Center as our official screening venue for the inaugural filmfest. The cinema has 120 fixed seats and 10 wheelchair spaces.

Festival Timeline

01 October 2026
Submission Portal Opens

Filmmakers from around the world may begin uploading their short films via our online submission system.

11 July 2027
Submission Deadline

All entries must be received by 23:59 CEST. No extensions will be granted.

September 2027
Official Selections Announced

Shortlisted films will be notified individually and listed on the festival website.

September 24th 2027
Screening & Award Ceremony

Screenings and the grand award ceremony & audience award at Capitol Cine Center.

FAQ

Frequently Asked
Questions

Everything you need to know before you submit your film.

Yes. Each filmmaker may submit more films, but each entry must be submitted separately. A separate submission fee applies to each entry.

Yes, the "early bird" starts with €15 applies per film.

Physical attendance is encouraged but not required. Selected films will be screened whether or not the filmmaker is present. However, attending the award ceremony is strongly recommended if you are shortlisted.

We have two Awards: Jury Award € 1500 and Audience Award € 600. The international jury has time to determine the best film before the screening. The audience will vote during the screening using an app.

Yes. We have no premiere requirement. Films that have been screened at other festivals, online, or in cinemas are eligible, provided they were completed after 1 January 2019. Please disclose any major prior awards in your submission form.

All filmmakers will receive a confirmation email upon submission. Official selection notifications will be sent directly to the contact email on file in September 2027. Results will not be disclosed over the phone or via social media before official notifications are sent.
Our Partners

There is no Filmfest
without Partners

Huge thanks to our sponsors, the cinema and of course our team from the non-profit association.

Capitol Cine Center
Capitol Cine Center
Kirchenstr. 1, Preetz

The cinema has 120 fixed seats, 10 wheelchair spaces and offers an intimate atmosphere. Link

Unser Verein
Schusterstadt Preetz
non-profit association

We are pleased to have gained the Schusterstadt Preetz Association for the Promotion of Business and Tourism as a partner. Link

Main Sponsor
Main Sponsor
for Jury & Award

Thanks to our main sponsor, the City of Preetz, the film festival is taking place as planned. Link

Contact & Submissions

Get in Touch

Have questions, or ready to submit your film? We'd love to hear from you.

Email contact@comedy-crime.org
Festival Venue Capitol Cine Center. Kirchenstr. 1, 24211 Preetz
Response Time We reply within 2 business days
Submission Deadline 11 July 2027, 23:59 CEST

Follow Us

Imprint: Jens Kramer, Schönbergerstr. 30, 24148 Kiel, Germany, Mail: contact@comedy-crime.org SteuerIdNr.: 76203458906, Finanzamt Kiel

press release
Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please select a subject.
Please write a message.
You must agree before submitting.