When the Filmfest Dresden was held for the first time before the fall of the Berlin Wall, it was used to present films that were previously banned or rarely shown in the GDR to the public.

With a total of more than €67,000 in prize money, Filmfest Dresden is one of the best endowed short film festivals in Europe.

[1] The award for the best animated and feature films in the competitions is the Golden Horseman based on the equestrian statue in Dresden of the same name.

[2] In addition to the competitions, the festival week offers an extensive range of special programmes with thematic and country focuses, retrospectives and youth films.

- events, trainings, connections" complements the cinematic offer with panel discussions, lectures, workshops, exhibitions and receptions and is aimed at both professionals and the interested public.