The Cottbus Film Festival was first held in 1991 in the immediate post-reunification era. Every year, filmmakers, producers and actors from Eastern and Central Europe meet in Cottbus. The film industry platform “Connecting Cottbus” plays an important role in bringing together filmmakers, producers and potential financiers. It even pushes some projects from the first idea to the actual film.

With a representative overview of the current film production of the entire Central and Eastern European region, it has developed continuously into the leading festival for East European Cinema. The Cottbus Film Festival regularly dedicates sections to the two most cinematographically active countries of the East. On "Russkiy Den" (Russian day), notable Russian productions of the past year are shown. The "Polskie Horyzonty" (Polish horizons) on the other hand were created as a result of a cooperation with the largest Polish festival "Era Nowe Horyzonty” which takes place in Wroclaw. This part of the event also presents the latest productions from Zielona Gora, with its lively alternative film scene. In the youth film section, the everyday life in Germany and neighbouring Poland is a major subject. A bi-national panel of young people expertly nominates the best cinematic discovery.

All together, the Cottbus Film Festival presents eighteen awards, which are endowed with a total value of almost € 80, 000. In addition to the award for “Best feature film”, a special prize for “Best director” as well as prices for outstanding acting are awarded.