(L-R) Alexis Juncosa, Artistic Director; Gladys Lazareff, Festival Managing Director; Credit: Elza Osmane, Chronicle.lu

On Thursday 5 March 2026, the Luxembourg City Film Festival (LuxFilmFest) held its sixteenth edition opening with an official ceremony and a screening of the film Rose by Markus Schleinzer.

The auditorium was fully booked, gathering organisers, public officials and film professionals to launch this year’s programme.

Festival Managing Director, Gladys Lazareff, and Artistic Director, Alexis Juncosa, hosted the evening. Speeches took place in French, Luxembourgish and English with a provided interpretation in sign language.

Lydie Polfer, Mayor of the City of Luxembourg (VdL), addressed the audience in French. She paid tribute to Colette Flesch, who passed away on 21 January 2026. Minister Polfer highlighted Flesch’s role as the first president of the LuxFilmFest from 2007 to 2020 and described her as the “patient architect” of the festival who helped to bring together institutions and partners to establish the event.

She said the festival allows the capital to become “a meeting place for cinema and dialogue, where audiences can see the world through the eyes of others”.

Carl Adalsteinsson, Senior Government Advisor and General Coordinator at Luxembourg’s Ministry of Culture, also honoured Colette Flesch during his keynote speech. Speaking in French, English and Luxembourgish, he told the audience that the festival would not exist without her vision and commitment. He emphasised the ministry’s continued support for the festival, noting that it promotes “dialogue, discovery and exchange through cinema”.

Georges Santer, President of the Luxembourg City Film Festival, opened his speech in French by also honouring Colette Flesch and her contribution to Luxembourg’s cultural life. He described her as “an indispensable pillar of our festival”. Continuing his speech, Georges Santer also noted that the festival explores political, social and environmental issues, reflecting concerns that shape societies around the world.

Following the opening remarks, Alexis Juncosa and Gladys Lazareff introduced the juries for this year’s festival. These include the International Jury, the Documentary Jury, the International Critics’ Jury (FIPRESCI), Jury 2030 Award by Luxembourg Aid and Development and Immersive Jury.

The evening continued with a screening of the opening film Rose. Before the film began, director Markus Schleinzer took the stage to address the audience.

During his remarks, the director spoke about the themes explored in his work, including society’s expectations and unwritten rules which he sees as a central issue affecting people. He also highlighted the importance of cinema and film festivals as places where people gather and share experiences. “Cinema is a social room,” he said. He added that such shared spaces remain important for art, culture and society.

Speaking alongside him, Alexis Juncosa described Markus Schleinzer as “not easily impressed”, a trait he said the director shares with actor Sandra Hüller, who plays the main character Rose in the film.

Rose is set in seventeenth century Germany and follows a mysterious soldier who arrives in a secluded Protestant village claiming to be the heir to an abandoned farmstead. The film premiered in the Official Competition at Berlinale 2026.

The festival will run until Sunday 15 March 2026, featuring 145 screenings across several venues in Luxembourg City, including the Cinémathèque in Ville, Kinepolis in Kirchberg and Ciné Utopia in Limpertsberg.

The Awards screening will take place on Saturday 14 March, featuring The Blood Countess by Ulrike Ottinger.