66TH KRAKOW FILM FESTIVAL – GET RIGHT INSIDE THE CINEMA
Eight days, 200 films from around the world, open-air screenings, concerts and conversations that will stay with you long after the credits roll. From 31 May to 7 June 2026, Krakow once again becomes the world capital of auteur documentary and short film.
Cinema as an antidote to chaos
In a world of information overload and disinformation, of manufactured tastes and growing isolation, KFF champions a different kind of cinema — one that invites you to slow down and reflect. The films selected for this year's edition don't shy away from reality. On the contrary, they look beneath its surface, reveal what is hidden, provoke thought and bring people together. The competition sections span documentaries, fiction and animation from the furthest corners of the globe.
A powerful opening and an unmissable gala
The opening film is Marc Isaacs' Synthetic Sincerity — a bold examination of artificial intelligence that asks whether we can still trust what we see on screen. The prestigious Dragon of Dragons Award will be presented to Kim Longinotto, one of the most outstanding documentary filmmakers of our time, celebrated for giving voice to women fighting for dignity. The gala in her honour will be accompanied by a screening of Iranian Style. Both events are supported by the British Council.
What's in store?
Pepa Lubojacki's If Only Pigeons Turned to Gold (winner of the top documentary prize at this year's Berlinale) is a raw portrait of a dysfunctional family. Michal Kosakowski's Holofiction confronts the cinematic images that have shaped our collective memory of the Holocaust. Oscar-nominated Tamara Kotevska (Honeyland) returns with a new title — The Tale of Silyan — a documentary steeped in magical realism, exploring a world in flux, a disintegrating landscape and the shared fate of humans and animals. Meanwhile, Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk, known for the feature film Pamfir, paints an idyllic picture of life along the Dnieper in Silent Flood. Marcin Borchardt's Magic Hour is an intimate tribute to the legendary Polish cinematographer Piotr Sobociński, while Maciek Nabrdalik and Piotr Małecki's Tickling the Devil profiles the acclaimed American war photographer Christopher Morris. Both titles have been selected for two competition sections — Polish and International. The Masters in Shorts strand revisits the early short films of Radu Jude, Andrea Arnold and Ruben Östlund — proof that Krakow has long had an eye for future legends of cinema. Festival-goers can also look forward to an online meeting with Juliette Binoche, who made her directorial debut with the captivating dance theatre documentary In-I in Motion. The programme also includes outstanding science documentaries in Docs+Science, excellent productions for younger audiences in Kids&Youth, and music films in the DocFilmMusic competition. A special focus on Balkan cinema will include the new film by Jasmila Žbanić, among others. New this year: an exceptional open-air section. The Football Fan Zone beneath Wawel Castle will bring sporting excitement to football fans and cinema lovers alike.
Join the insider community. See you in Krakow!