In a recorded welcome address, Minister President Dr Dietmar Woidke emphasised the film festival's high national and international standing and the cultural significance of the FFC for the state of Brandenburg. Political guests included, among others, Cottbus Mayor Tobias Schick and Marika Linntam, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia. This year, Estonia is the festival’s Close-Up country.

The evening’s focus was on music: the festival opened with the Slovak-Czech feature film DUCHOŇ by Peter Bebjak (SK/CZ, 2025, 99 min). The biopic about legendary singer Karol Duchoň tells the story of a meteoric rise and tragic downfall – a portrait of an artist caught between fame, passion, and self-destruction.

In total, seven juries will award prizes this year with a combined value of around 55,000 euros. The festival’s main awards – for Best Feature Film, Best Director, and Outstanding Acting Performance – will be decided by the International Jury, consisting of Kyrgyz-American producer Sultan Pirzhan, Estonian actress Maarja Johanna Mägi (Berlinale Shooting Star 2025), Ukrainian director Zhanna Ozirna, Serbian filmmaker Nikola Ležaić, and Romanian director Róbert Lakatos.

Other juries are also composed of prominent figures, including Ukrainian director and Cannes regular Sergei Loznitsa. In the U18 Youth Film Competition, school students from Cottbus, Zielona Góra, and Teplice will vote for the best youth film.

Until November 9, 2025, the FilmFestival Cottbus will present 138 films from 41 production countries across 13 sections. On Wednesday, the FFC will, for the first time, host a Students’ Day, granting free entry to all university students upon presentation of a valid student ID.

Tickets are available at filmfestivalcottbus.de as well as at the festival box offices located at Weltspiegel, Glad-House, Obenkino, and Kammerbühne.