SCHLiNGEL Film Festival for Children and Youth 2026 in Abu Dhabi

About SCHLiNGEL Film Festival for Children and Youth 2026 in Abu Dhabi

SCHLiNGEL Film Festival for Children and Youth arrives in Abu Dhabi between 21 and 24 October 2026, bringing four days of cinema for young audiences to the Cultural Foundation. It is a family-friendly film festival full of big adventures, unexpected friendships and stories made for curious young minds.

SCHLiNGEL was founded in Chemnitz, Germany, in 1996, and has spent decades bringing young audiences films filled with imagination, courage, humour and emotion. The Abu Dhabi edition is presented by the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region in cooperation with Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi, and features cinema from Germany and around the world.

This year’s programme follows young characters as they discover new places, face challenges and find their own way forward. Across the films you will come across stories about friendship, family, identity, community, nature, justice and self-confidence, which makes it a lovely way to spark conversations with children after the lights come up.

What to Expect

The festival is spread across several screenings between Wednesday 21 and Saturday 24 October, so you can pick the film that suits your family’s ages and plans, or come back for more than one.

A Butterfly’s Heart

Directed by Inesa Kurklietytė, this 2021 film follows a sensitive, solitary boy who loves insects and butterflies. When a curious new neighbour moves in, an unlikely friendship begins and helps him find his confidence. It screens on Wednesday 21 October and again on Friday 23 October.

Akiko, the Flying Ape

Veit Helmer’s 2024 film tells the story of a monkey living in a zoo who learns that his family’s true home is a distant forest. With help from animal companions, he sets out to release animals held in captivity. It is listed in English and screens on Saturday 24 October.

Rock My Heart

Directed by Hanno Olderdissen, this 2017 film is better suited to older children and teens. It follows a 17-year-old with a heart condition who refuses surgery, bonds with a thoroughbred horse and pursues a demanding race. It screens on Saturday 24 October.

Best of SCHLiNGEL Shorts

Little moviegoers get a programme of their own. The short film selection combines playful storytelling, creative animation and plenty of humour, with largely wordless animated stories aimed at younger children. Titles listed include Writing Home, Wolfie, House Trap, The Little One and the Giant, First Flight and Pingu & Bear. It screens on the morning of Saturday 24 October and makes an easy, joyful first trip to the cinema.

Key Highlights

• Four days of cinema for children, families and young film lovers, 21–24 October 2026.
• Films from Germany and around the world, chosen for young audiences.
• A dedicated short film programme for the youngest viewers.
• Stories exploring friendship, family, identity, nature, justice and self-confidence.
• Presented by the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region with Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi.
• A festival with roots in Chemnitz, Germany, going back to 1996.

The Venue: Cultural Foundation

All screenings take place at the Cultural Foundation on Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (2nd Street) in Abu Dhabi. It co-presents the festival with the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, so the films are very much at home here. Check your ticket for the exact screening you have booked, as each film has its own session.

Visitor Tips

Getting There

If you are driving, parking is available at the Cultural Foundation. By bus, the nearest station is Abu Dhabi Bus Station, about 1.2 km away, so you may want a short taxi ride for the last stretch with little ones. Taxis are easy too, as most drivers know the venue.

Choosing the Right Film

The festival covers a wide age range. The shorts programme is aimed at younger children, while Rock My Heart, with its teenage lead, will suit older children and teens. Read the film descriptions together beforehand and let your children help choose.

What to Bring

Have your tickets ready on your phone, and bring a light jumper for each child, as indoor screens can feel cool. A small snack for the journey can help younger viewers settle.

Arrive Early

With children in tow, give yourself extra time to park, find the right screen and make a last-minute toilet stop before the film starts. Arriving early means everyone can settle in calmly.

Book Your Tickets

SCHLiNGEL Film Festival for Children and Youth runs in Abu Dhabi between 21 and 24 October 2026, with each film shown in its own session. Pick the stories your family will love, book your tickets through Platinumlist and come curious for a few days of cinema together.