The International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg has a long tradition of introducing film artists of the future and their aesthetic language: offering an inspiring environment for talented new filmmakers, the festival each year showcases yet unknown filmmakers who are all driven by high consciousness, a strong personal vision and serious ambition.
From more than 1.000 submissions the festival picks a selection of roundabout 40 to 50 films by new authors - to be presented as real premieres. Throughout the year, the film scouts and the selection committee search the world to find these few extraordinary talents they consider to be the most interesting and aesthetically extraordinary works. Any film presented in Mannheim-Heidelberg receives focussed attention of about 1.000 international industry professionals, the media, and roundabout 60.000 festival goers alike.
Requirements
Only newcomer directors may participate at the International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg, i.e. directors who are unknown to an international audience outside their home country. In order for a film to be eligible to be presented at the Festival's International Competition Section, it must not have been screened at
* Cannes (International Competition, Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, Un Certain Regard, Semaine de la Critique)
* Venice (International Competition)
* Locarno (International Competition)
* Berlin
* any other festival in Germany

Awards
The Festival has two main sections, International Competition and International Discoveries.
Films in the International Competition are nominated for the following awards:
* Main Award of Mannheim-Heidelberg (for the best film in competition, awarded by the International Jury)
* Rainer Werner Fassbinder Prize (for the best unconventionally narrated film in Competition, awarded by the International Jury)
* Special Award of the International Jury (for an extraordinary performance as director, actor, writer, etc, awarded by the International Jury)
* Special Mentions of the International Jury (for a remarkable film with outstanding acting, music, photography etc, awarded by the International Jury)
* International Film Critic's Award (awarded by the FIPRESCI-Jury)
* The Ecumenic Film Prize (awarded by the Ecumenical Jury)
In both International Competition and International Discoveries sections, a Jury of Cinema Owners will recommend films for theatrical distribution. An Audience Award is issued for any film in the two main sections, regardless of genre and length.1