{"id":96609,"date":"2011-12-14T17:47:28","date_gmt":"2011-12-14T16:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diagonale.at\/festival\/festivalinfos-2\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T15:51:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T13:51:10","slug":"festivalinfos-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.diagonale.at\/en\/festival\/festivalinfos-2\/","title":{"rendered":"| Diagonale | 2026 | Recap |"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Download program guide (only in german) \u2192 here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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The Diagonale \u2013 Festival of Austrian Film took place for the 29th time in Graz from 18 to 23 March 2026<\/strong>, once again under the patronage of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen<\/strong>. Now in its third year under the direction of the artistic director duo Dominik Kamalzadeh and Claudia Slanar<\/strong>, the festival continued to expand as a place of encounter\u2014including unexpected ones\u2014of exchange, and of looking toward new horizons.<\/p>\n
A total of 149 film productions<\/strong> were screened at Diagonale \u201926, including 77 Austrian or world premieres<\/strong>. The film competition<\/strong>\u2014with Austria\u2019s highest-endowed film awards<\/strong> presented by international juries<\/a> on March 23 <\/strong>once again formed the heart of the festival, featuring 82 films<\/strong> across feature and documentary categories, in both long and short formats, as well as Innovative Film<\/strong>. The Diagonale also hosted the presentation of the Franz Grabner Award<\/strong>, the Carl Mayer Screenplay Awards<\/strong>, the Thomas Pluch Screenplay Awards<\/strong>, the Kodak Analog Film Award<\/strong>, and the Kleine Zeitung Audience Award<\/strong>. New in 2026 was the Mabacher Award<\/strong>. More on the awards and juries \u2192 here<\/a><\/p>\n
The Festival of Austrian Film opend with the Austrian premiere<\/strong> of Markus Schleinzer\u2019s<\/strong> new feature film Rose<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, attended by the filmmaker and members of the team.<\/p>\n
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\nFILMSPECIALS AT DIAGONALE \u201926:<\/strong><\/p>\n
| Position | Hlynur P\u00e1lmason |<\/strong><\/a>
\nIcelandic director and visual artist Hlynur P\u00e1lmason \u2013 most recently in Cannes with the tragicomedy The Love That Remains<\/em> \u2013came to Graz with a comprehensive retrospective of his work and offered insights into his filmmaking process in a masterclass.<\/p>\n
| Position | Billy Roisz |<\/strong><\/a>
\nDiagonale 2026 dedicated a comprehensive retrospective, including a live performance, to filmmaker, musician and performer Billy Roisz, who has been active since the late 1990s.<\/p>\n
| Film History | Girls Will Be Boys |<\/strong><\/a>
\nWomen in Trouser Roles: SYNEMA\u2019s film-historical special explored gender fluidity and cross-dressing in German-language cinema of the interwar period.<\/p>\n
| Film History | New Uncertainties \u2013 Austrian Documentary Cinema in the 1990s |<\/a>
\n<\/strong>A film-historical search for traces in seven programmes from 30 years ago in domestic documentary filmmaking, a time of change and new beginnings.<\/p>\n
| And in the Middle | A Wirtshaus |<\/strong><\/a>
\nAnd in the Middle <\/em>\u00a0is a new annual film and discussion series held as part of Diagonale, dedicated to exploring places beyond urban centers.<\/p>\n
| Special | Duisburg Film Week |<\/strong><\/a>
\nTo mark its 50th anniversary, the renowned German documentary film festival came to Graz, presenting films from its history that unsettle, provoke, and challenge.<\/p>\n
| In memoriam | Emily Artmann |<\/strong><\/a>
\nA small homage in memory of the poet, editor, and filmmaker.<\/p>\n
| Portoro\u017e meets Graz |<\/strong><\/a>
\nA new collaboration with the Festival of Slovenian Film.<\/p>\n

\nSUPPORTING PROGRAM \u201926:<\/strong><\/p>\n
| Nachspann |<\/strong><\/a>
\nCinema that goes beyond the screen for special conversations and discussions that require more time and space.<\/p>\n
| Forum |<\/strong><\/a>
\nFestival location for discussion and debates in the Heimatsaal in the Volkskundemuseum at Paulustor.<\/p>\n
| Film Meeting |<\/strong><\/a>
\nThe festival’s industry meeting<\/strong> took place for the 16th time in 2026 and offered panels and discussion rounds on current topics as well as updates and news in the Diagonale Forum<\/em>. The first day (March 19) was open to the public, while closed think tanks took place on the second day (March 20).<\/p>\n
| Club Diagonale |<\/strong><\/a>
\nAgain this year, there were lots of opportunities to come together for dancing and drinks!<\/p>\n
| Extras |<\/strong><\/a>
\nExhibitions around Austrian film as part of the Diagonale.<\/p>\n
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