Sehpferdchen Film Festival

The film festival for children and young people in Hannover is a staple on the city’s cultural calendar. From March 8 to 18, 2026, the Sehpferdchen Film Festival will once again take place—an international festival that highlights young perspectives while inviting adults to rediscover the magic of cinema together. Films will be screened in Hannover and the surrounding region that address themes of growing up, imagination, and social reality in an age-appropriate, diverse, and open-minded manner.

The festival is aimed at children ages four and up, teenagers, families, school groups, as well as accompanying adults and anyone else interested. Advance ticket sales for family and evening performances begin on February 5, 2026; school groups and other groups can register in advance.

International Children's and Youth Film Festival in Hanover

At the Kino im Künstlerhaus (KoKi) in Hanover and at the Neue Schauburg in Burgdorf, the Hanover Film Festival for Children and Young People is screening a curated selection of international animated, feature, and documentary films. Many of these productions are not shown in regular German theaters. They tell stories of friendship, family, courage, farewell, and self-discovery, and offer insights into different cultures, realities of life, and visions of the future.

Imaginative storytelling meets documentary perspectives, and quiet observations of everyday life intersect with broader social issues. The selection is guided by a commitment to taking young viewers seriously and giving them space to form their own thoughts and ask their own questions.

More than just a trip to the movies: discussions and film talks

The Sehpferdchen Film Festival is not just a film series, but a festival format that incorporates media education. Many of the morning and afternoon screenings are followed by moderated film discussions. Children, teens, and adults can engage directly with the moderators and, in some cases, with the filmmakers themselves.

The focus is on dialogue: questions about the film, its characters, or its production are just as welcome as personal impressions and associations. This fosters an intergenerational exchange that allows the cinema to be experienced as a place for shared experiences and reflection.

The Sehpferdchen Film School: Experience Film Firsthand

An integral part of the festival is the Sehpferdchen Film School. Here, school classes starting in third grade have the opportunity to get hands-on experience and learn the basics of filmmaking. Using green-screen technology, sound recording, and simple filmmaking techniques, participants discover how stories are told visually.

The film school adds a practical dimension to the film program and promotes media literacy and creative work. Participation is by registration only and is offered in conjunction with the film screening.

Age-appropriate program for different target groups

The program of the Hannover Film Festival for Children and Young People is clearly organized by age group. There are short film programs with narration and no dialogue for children as young as four. For older children and young people, international feature films and documentaries are shown, some with live German dubbing or subtitles.

The daytime program is complemented by an evening program aimed primarily at teenagers and adults. Thematic film series explore issues of identity, self-discovery, and social expectations. The evening screenings offer additional perspectives on growing up and are also aimed at adult audiences without children.

Festival venues in Hanover and the surrounding area

With the Kino im Künstlerhaus in downtown Hanover, the festival has a central venue steeped in cultural tradition. The Neue Schauburg in Burgdorf expands the festival’s reach into the surrounding region and makes the program accessible to additional audiences.

This decentralized structure strengthens the Hannover Film Festival for Children and Young People as a regionally rooted cultural institution and makes it easily accessible to visitors from the city and the surrounding area.

Admission prices and advance booking

Ticket prices are kept affordable. Performances before 8:00 p.m. cost €5.00; evening performances cost €8.00; and reduced-price tickets are €5.00. Admission is free for accompanying teachers and educators, as well as for holders of the HannoverAktivPass. Caregivers accompanying people with disabilities also receive free admission.

Advance ticket sales for school groups and other groups are already available via an online form. Regular ticket sales for family and evening performances will begin on February 5, 2026.

A well-established festival with a long history

The Sehpferdchen Film Festival was founded in Hannover in 1998 and has been held every two years since then. Originating from the children’s film programming at the Kino im Künstlerhaus and local community cultural initiatives, the festival has established itself nationwide as a unique event for young audiences. It combines high-quality international cinema with educational support and cultural exchange.

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