European Media Arts Festival (EMAF) [deutschland] | 22.04.-26.05.2026
The EMAF is dedicated to presenting and reflecting on current developments in media art. It is an open laboratory for creative and artistic experimentation and contributes to the further development of media and the aesthetics of their content. The theme for 2026 is “Witnessing Witnessing,” which examines the role of witnessing in today’s world and asks how testimonies shape our view of the world and can influence political reality. The fair presents a diverse selection of film programs, exhibitions with media installations, performances, and talks.
Special features:
A special feature of EMAF is its multidisciplinary approach, which combines film, video, digital art, and performance. It sees itself as a place of experimentation and dialogue, where extraordinary works are created and actors from different fields can engage in exchange. The festival also integrates the “Campus,” a section in which selected German and European art colleges present their current work and projects.
Target audience:
The EMAF is aimed at an international professional audience, including artists, curators, scientists, students, and a broad audience interested in art and the intersections of art, technology, and social reality.
History:
The European Media Art Festival originated in a workshop for experimental films at the University of Osnabrück in 1981. It has been known as the “European Media Art Festival” since 1988 and has since developed into one of the most important forums for media art in Europe. It included video installations in its program at an early stage and also opened up to net art in the 1990s. The festival always reflects current political events and social issues.
Location and date:
- Location: Osnabrück, various locations (including Kunsthalle Osnabrück)
- Date: April 22–May 26, 2026
Image above: © DEEDS.NEWS
