From Kim Cattrall and Reinhold Messner to Parov Stelar and the Scorpions: A Star-Studded Debut
It was an extraordinary debut: international stars, remarkable films, inspiring masterclasses and thought-provoking conversations. Above all, it was the festival’s uniquely intimate and welcoming atmosphere that left a lasting impression on guests and audiences alike.
The inaugural CALL Film Festival 2026 brought some of the world’s most fascinating personalities to Bad Hofgastein in the Austrian province of Salzburg. Among them were Hollywood star Kim Cattrall and the legendary Scorpions, one of the most successful rock bands of all time, with more than 110 million records sold worldwide. But the stars were only part of the story. The festival’s lineup was equally exceptional.
One of its defining highlights was the world’s first cinematic retrospective dedicated to Reinhold Messner, arguably the greatest mountaineer, adventurer and explorer of the limits of human endurance of our time. Featuring ten films, including Werner Herzog’s masterpiece Gasherbrum – The Shining Mountain, the retrospective offered an unprecedented journey through Messner’s extraordinary life. Throughout the festival, Messner captivated audiences with personal introductions to each of his films, two masterclasses and a major keynote presentation.
Austria’s internationally acclaimed music star Parov Stelar celebrated the world premiere of his concept film Artifact in Bad Hofgastein. Meanwhile, Scorpions frontmen Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker presented the European premiere of Wind of Change, the Hollywood biopic exploring their lives and the story behind their greatest hit — a song that became an anthem of freedom.
The festival also featured a series of remarkable masterclasses. Among the standout guests was Vera Brandes, the legendary figure whose extraordinary story inspired director Ido Fluk’s film Köln 75. On stage at the Kursaal Bad Hofgastein, she revealed how, at just 18, she persuaded Keith Jarrett, one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, to perform what would become his legendary Köln Concert — and why he never wanted to speak to her again afterwards.
Bestselling author Lars Amend, whose books have appeared on the SPIEGEL bestseller list 14 times, also left audiences deeply inspired with his reflections on happiness and the art of living well. His book Dieses bescheuerte Herz (This Crazy Heart) was adapted into a major German box-office hit starring Elyas M’Barek, attracting three million cinema admissions.
Another unforgettable moment was a joint masterclass featuring the “King of Electro Swing,” Parov Stelar, and acclaimed actor Philipp Hochmair, celebrated for his portrayal of the title character in Salzburg Festival’s iconic Jedermann production. Their candid conversation explored stage fright, fear, excess and the emotional extremes of life on stage and in front of the camera.
The Show Goes On: CALL Film Festival Returns in 2027 — Bigger, Bolder and More Ambitious
2026 was just the beginning.
In 2027, we’re taking the CALL Film Festival to an entirely new level.
For five extraordinary days, the Alpine town of Bad Hofgastein will become a vibrant festival destination, with five venues hosting an exceptional programme of films, star-studded masterclasses, inspiring conversations and the presentation of the second annual JANE AWARDS 2027.
Following the inaugural festival’s themes of ‘CALL for Nature’ and ‘CALL for Peace,’ the 2027 edition will once again place two powerful themes at the heart of its program.
CALL Film Festival 2027: Two Powerful Themes — “CALL for Her” and “CALL for Space”
CALL for Her shines a spotlight on women: their stories, their voices, their achievements and the challenges they continue to face.
It is a celebration of self-determination, equal opportunity and every woman’s right to choose her own path. But it is also a call to look beyond the progress already made — towards those parts of the world where women are still fighting for fundamental rights, freedom, education, safety and a voice in society.
CALL for Her tells the stories of pioneers and rebels, artists and scientists, mothers and daughters, political leaders and everyday women whose lives are anything but ordinary.
CALL for Space invites us to look up at the stars — and, in doing so, to look back at ourselves.
Ever since humanity first gazed at the night sky, space has embodied some of the greatest questions of our existence: Who are we? Where do we come from? And what is our place in the universe?
We are living at a turning point in history. Artificial intelligence, space exploration and breakthrough technologies are beginning to push boundaries that seemed impossible to cross just a few years ago. They have the power to transform how we live, work and communicate, how we fight disease and understand the world around us — and perhaps, one day, take us to entirely new worlds.
Yet the greatest challenge facing humanity may not be reaching another planet, but protecting the one we already call home. Seen from space, the problems that divide us on Earth take on an entirely different perspective. Borders, nations and ideologies fade away. What remains is a single, fragile planet.
That is why CALL for Space is also about responsibility: the responsibility we share for our planet and for one another. Space represents the fascination of the unknown and the limitless possibilities of human imagination, scientific discovery and technological innovation.
What will it mean to be human in the future? Which boundaries should we strive to overcome — and which should we never cross?
Beyond these two defining themes, CALL Film Festival 2027 will introduce several exciting new highlights.
FUTURE WORLD: Step Into the Future — Admission Is Free
The CALL Film Festival is becoming an immersive world of discovery.
Welcome to FUTURE WORLD, an exciting new open-air experience featuring futuristic FUTURE LABS, located directly on the festival grounds next to the Kursaal Bad Hofgastein.
Here, the technologies, ideas and innovations shaping tomorrow become tangible experiences for everyone. From artificial intelligence and next-generation mobility to health, climate solutions, food, lifestyle and beyond, FUTURE WORLD invites visitors to discover how the future could transform our everyday lives. Explore, experience, question and be inspired.
Admission is free. FUTURE WORLD will be open daily from Thursday, May 27, through Sunday, May 30, 2027.
CALL FOR FUTURE Summit: Where Vision Becomes Innovation
On Friday, May 28, 2027, the CALL FOR FUTURE Summit at the Bad Hofgastein Congress Center will bring together two worlds that shape our future in profoundly different ways — yet rarely meet.
On one side: film, art and creativity.
On the other: science, technology, research and business.
Filmmakers and artists have the freedom to imagine futures that do not yet exist. Scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs have the power to turn what once seemed impossible into reality.
The CALL FOR FUTURE Summit is where these worlds collide.
- Film stars meet AI pioneers.
- Film directors meet scientists.
- Astronauts meet artists.
- Entrepreneurs meet storytellers.
Not through conventional panel discussions, but through carefully curated encounters designed to challenge assumptions, spark unexpected ideas and open up entirely new perspectives.
For a few extraordinary days, surrounded by the breathtaking Austrian Alps, Bad Hofgastein will become a place where we move beyond asking what the future might look like — and begin imagining what it should look like.
Floating Cinema: A Movie Experience Like No Other — From the Water
Imagine watching a movie while floating in warm thermal waters, surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the Austrian Alps.
On Saturday evening, May 29, 2027, CALL Film Festival will transform a giant thermal pool at Alpentherme Bad Hofgastein — Austria’s second-largest thermal spa complex, with capacity for 1,200 guests — into an extraordinary floating cinema experience.
In a world-first concept for a film festival, the pool itself becomes the auditorium, taking the magic of cinema to a whole new dimension.
Sink into the warm water, sit back and experience film in a way you’ve never imagined.
And what will be showing on the big screen? Titanic, perhaps? Avatar: The Way of Water? Or maybe even Jaws?
The Second Annual JANE AWARDS Gala 2027: Celebrating Extraordinary Achievements
On Saturday, May 29, 2027, the JANE AWARDS will be presented for the second time, honoring extraordinary individuals from the worlds of film, music, art and beyond whose lives, work and stories embody courage, conviction, creativity, independence and the power to make a positive difference in the world. The awards celebrate the spirit of Movies with a Cause — recognizing people who inspire change, challenge conventions and leave a lasting impact.
Kim Cattrall, the Scorpions, Reinhold and Diane Messner, and Parov Stelar were among the inaugural honorees. Who will take home the coveted awards in 2027?
The ceremony is an international media event, attracting journalists and television crews from across Europe and the United States.
See You at CALL Film Festival 2027!
We can’t wait to welcome you to Bad Hofgastein for five unforgettable days of cinema, inspiration and extraordinary encounters.