Film spring in Speyer canceled: dispute over fees escalated!

Film spring in Speyer canceled: dispute over fees escalated!

On February 4, 2025, it becomes known that the “film spring” will no longer take place in Speyer next year. The decision to move the event from the city was made by Mayor Monika Kabs (CDU) and Mayor Stefanie Seiler (SPD), who classified the open-air festival as a commercial event. This assessment is the main reason for the increased fee claim for the use of the cathedral garden.

The "Film Spring", which is organized annually in spring by Festival of German Film Ludwigshafen , had some challenges in the past. In 2023 there was a free test run. A fee of 6,500 euros was charged for 2024, although the event was deficient due to adverse weather conditions. For 2025 the city announced a fee of 13,665 euros, which those responsible referred to as "generous discount".

disappointment with the organizers

The organizers, Daniela and Dr. Michael Kötz and Klaus Wichmann, have expressed their disappointment on the decision of the city administration. They emphasized that they were also ready to continue to organize the event without financial grants. This shows the team's commitment to the cultural enrichment of the region, although they are now withdrawn from them.

According to its own statutes, the city of Speyer has the option of refraining from the obligation to pay if it has a significant interest in carrying out the event. However, the organizers have observed that the top of the city shows no real interest in continuing the "film spring". Instead, a possible cooperation with another city in the Vorderpfalz is being considered to get the festival on its feet in 2025.

Although the "Film Spring" is legally organized by the Film Festival Ludwigshafen from two GmbHs, the festival receives support from Rhein-pfalz-kreis as well Vorderpfalz . The entire situation raises questions about the use of space and the cultural priorities of the city, while those responsible for the event continue to look for opportunities so that the "film spring" does not have to disappear completely from Speyer.