The Awards 2026

The winning films of the 75th International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg were honoured at the gala award ceremony at the Karlstorbahnhof in Heidelberg on November 12. ›First Light‹ by James J. Robinson has earned the International Newcomer Award, worth 30,000 euros, for the best film in competition. The Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award for best screenplay, worth 15,000 euros, has gone to Mads Mengel and co-writer Christian Bengtson for ›The Guest‹. Pinea Matoshi has received the 10,000-euro Young Actors Award for her role in ›Dua‹. The Young Jury has honoured ›A Day in the Life of Jo: Chapter Phaedra‹ by Jacqueline Lentzou with the 5,000-euro Student Award. ›The Riverbank‹ by the directing team Enock Carvalho and Matheus Farias has received the Ecumenical Award, worth 2,500 euros. The FIPRESCI Prize of the film critics has also gone to ›The Guest‹ The Audience Award, worth 5,000 euros, has gone to ›Body of Glass‹ by Naëmi Ada.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award winners and thank all the juries for their tremendous dedication to the art of film.

All of the juries’ statements can be found in our press release.