Written by: Salma El-Sakka
The 13th edition of the "Baden" Climate and Environmental Film Festival recorded an unprecedented turnout, with festival visitors reaching more than 2,212 people during its run from October 1 to 8, 2026. The event included the screening of 27 films addressing urgent environmental and climate issues, cementing the festival's position as a prominent international gathering combining art, science, and environmental awareness.
The festival witnessed the premiere of four films for the first time in Austria, including the famous film "Nuisance Bear" (Nuisance Bear), which won wide international acclaim at the "Sundance" Film Festival. The festival's activities were not limited to film screenings alone, but also included interactive discussion sessions featuring experts in economics, energy, and wildlife, where prominent specialists such as energy economist Claudia Kemfert, economist Sigrid Stagl, and wildlife expert Klaus Hackländer participated in the dialogues to enhance the discussion on current environmental challenges.
Regarding the international short film competition "ClimateShorts", which witnessed wide participation with cinematic works from 53 countries, the international award went to French producer Adrien Potier for his film "The Plastic Artist". The festival also focused heavily on the awareness aspect of the next generation, where 607 students participated in school-dedicated screenings, with educational institutions given the opportunity to continue screening the festival's films until next December.
The organizers, Gerfried Koch and Andreas Satra, emphasized that the great success achieved by the festival this year reflects the growing interest in climate issues and the need for specialized cultural platforms that contribute to creating a knowledge and intellectual exchange around sustainability solutions. The organizing committee has already begun drawing up preparatory plans for the 2027 edition, amidst ongoing support from local authorities and sponsoring partners who emphasized the pivotal role of the festival in promoting cultural diversity and environmental awareness in the city of Baden.
