David Dietl's new adaptation of Erich Kästner's 1929 children's classic premiered at Berlin's CineStar Kulturbrauerei on World Children's Day, September 21, ahead of its theatrical release September 24 through Warner Bros. Pictures Germany. UFA Fiction, Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany and UFA Mitte produced. Nicholas Jonah Peter plays Emil, with Luise Heyer, Ursula Werner and Merlin Sandmeyer in supporting roles. Philip Peschlow shot from a screenplay by Antonia Scheurlen. The film won the Gilde Film Prize for Best Children's Film at Filmkunstmesse 2026. Funding came from Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung, FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, FFA, DFFF and the Bavarian state chancellery.
Primary: UFA, 21 September 2026