Dear audience, dear exground team,

It’s finally that time again, when exground filmfest brings exciting new films and filmmakers from Germany and abroad to us here in Wiesbaden. These include unusual fiction features and compelling documentaries, but also films about current political issues. The choice of the thematic focus “Cinema Without Limits” makes it clear what the festival and its team view as their central mission. exground filmfest invites attendees and guests to push at limits and question them – whether they be aesthetic, social or political in nature.

I am especially looking forward to the exground youth days. Films by and featuring young people from Wiesbaden can be seen there alongside works from countries that are still far too often overlooked. In 2026, the journey takes us to Kosovo, Belgium, Greece, Great Britain, Czechia, the Central African Republic and Switzerland. Participative elements once again play an important role here too: for instance, young people can enter their individual or group projects into the Wiesbaden Youth Film Competition. And a youth jury has the chance to determine the award-winning films in the International Youth Film Competition. In short, the youth days make it possible to come together and talk about films, to try on new points of view and develop criteria for their evaluation. In doing so, they make a valuable contribution, particularly in the development of media literacy.

I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the festival team and all those involved for their tremendous dedication. The State Capital of Wiesbaden is proud to have funded and served the festival as a reliable partner since its founding.

I wish all the guests stimulating viewing experiences, conversations and encounters and the festival team a successful exground filmfest 39.

Dr. Patricia Becher
City Councillor for Cultural Affairs of the State Capital of Wiesbaden