Dear graduates and FLINTAS of the KHM,

seize this unique opportunity and apply for the KHM Sponsorship Award for FLINTA* 2026! The associated presentation opportunities, experiences and contacts are something very special and will help with your artistic future!

The aim of the KHM's equal opportunities program is to support KHM students and aspiring female artists (FLINTA*) in their transition from art school to the free market in the art, film, literature and/or media industry. Experience has shown that the networking and presentation of the award-winning artists and their works with/in professional networks and artistic publics are particularly important and beneficial.

The prize is awarded to one artist (FLINTA*) in each of these three categories and consists of:

+ prize money of 1,000 euros each,

+ a presentation in a renowned network,

+ Deadline/application deadline is December 17, 2025.

• The Shoot - KHM and IFFF Dortmund+Cologne Newcomer Award goes to an artist (FLINTA*) with a cinematic focus (feature film, experimental film, documentary, animation, image design, screenplay) in cooperation with the International Women's Film Festival Dortmund+Cologne (IFFF Dortmund + Cologne). The prize includes prize money of 1,000 euros, an award ceremony and the film presentation of a completed film project at the IFFF Dortmund+Cologne (22.–26. April 2026 in Köln). The winner will be selected by the IFFF Dortmund+Cologne jury. The IFFFDortmund+Cologne is Germany's largest forum for women in the film industry and presents outstanding films by women of all genres and styles made by women. For more than 40 years, it has actively contributed to films by female directors being seen, appreciated and canonized. It takes place annually, alternating between Dortmund and Cologne. In 2026, the Shoot is part of the Spot on, NRW! section in Dortmund. The festival offers a rich exchange of information with experienced colleagues and producers. It sharpens the focus on one's own work and helps to build networks.

• The Art Award goes to an artist (FLINTA*) from the broad field of art (photography, painting, mixed media art, sound art, etc.) in cooperation with the Museum Morsbroich in Leverkusen, a wonderful place for contemporary art just 20 kilometers from Cologne. Founded in 1951 as the first museum for contemporary art in the still young Federal Republic of Germany, the Museum Morsbroich, whose unique rooms are located in a baroque pleasure palace with a surrounding park, is dedicated entirely to contemporary art. The prize includes prize money of 1,000 euros, the winner will be selected by the museum's jury by spring 2026, the award ceremony and a solo exhibition of artistic-media projects is planned from October 2026 at Museum Morsbroich as part of the Leverkusen Art Night, and the experience of preparing and presenting one's own work in three rooms of the museum under the supervision of experienced curators offers the opportunity to exhibit one's own artistic work in a museum context and present it to a broad audience.

• The literature prize goes to an artist (FLINTA*) from the field of artistic text work (performance, literature) in cooperation with the Literaturhaus Köln. The prize includes prize money of 1,000 euros. In spring, the jury of Cologne's renowned and well-established Literaturhaus will select the winner. In consultation with the Literaturhaus, the winner can nominate an experienced author to give a joint reading of her own texts during the course of 2026. The advice and support provided by the makers of the Cologne House of Literature and the preparation of a reading with their own texts make a completely new forum possible.

Requirements, who can apply:

Diploma students (FLINTA*) and graduates (FLINTA*) of the KHM who have completed their diploma after May 1, 2024 until the end of November 2025 or who have registered for the KHM diploma during this period.