Audience Short Film Award oft he City of Hof 2025 Goes to HOUDA

On Monday, 15 November 2025, under the motto “Prices, Pizza, Party,” the Audience Short Film Award oft he City of Hof2025, endowed with €2500, was presented as part of Short Film Day. The award ceremony marked the conclusion of the 59th Hof International Film Festival (HIFF).

The award went to Svea Ege for her film HOUDA and was presented by the Lady Mayor of the City of Hof, Eva Döhla. Second place was awarded to HOME by Esa-Lu Ege, and third place to THE BARNONESSE by Mark Lorei. All three filmmakers were present, along with BARNONESSE actor Wolf Danny Homann.

“I am truly overwhelmed by this compliment from the audience. The Audience Short Film Award of the City of Hof is an incredibly important affirmation of our work, and the prize money is an essential support for future projects.”
— Svea Ege, recipient of the Audience Short Film Award 2025

During the 59th HIFF, held from 21–26 October, audiences were able to vote for their favorite on site in the cinemas and online via the HoF on Demand platform until 1 November 2025, choosing from a total of 71 short films. The Top 3 audience favorites were screened at the Central Cinema Hof in the presence of the filmmakers. A Q&A with the audience took place prior to the announcement of the award.

The evening concluded with celebrations at the legendary Galeriehaus. Service was provided by Franziska Kaiser, Head of Operations, and Thorsten Schaumann, Artistic Director of the HIFF.

Short Film Awards of the City of Hof

The Jury Short Film Award of the City of Hof is determined by a jury consisting of three members for short films from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This year’s winner was Masha Mollenhauer for her short film THE GOOD WOMAN. For the Audience Short Film Award of the City of Hof, on the other hand, visitors can vote for all short films in the cinema as well as digitally at our streaming festival. The prizes are each endowed with Euro 2.500 and are therefore an essential support for the work of filmmakers.

SHORT FILM DAY = shortest day of the year 
The Audience Short Film Award oft he City of Hof is presented as part of Short Film Day (December 15–21, 2025), Germany’s largest nationwide event dedicated to short films. Extended to a full week, the diversity of short film is celebrated. The idea for Short Film Day originates from France and has been held in Germany since 2012, coordinated by AG Kurzfilm – the German Short Film Association. In more than 500 locations across the country, short films can be experienced in a wide range of venues.