Warsaw Film Festival
Annual film festival held in Warsaw, Poland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Warsaw Film Festival (Polish: Warszawski Festiwal Filmowy; WFF), also known as Warsaw International Film Festival, is an annual international film festival held every October in Warsaw, Poland.[1][2]
The 40th edition of the festival took place from 11 to 20 October 2024.[3] The 41st edition of the festival took place from 10 to 19 October 2025, and showcases 112 features and 56 shorts.[4]
History
The festival has been held every year since 1985.[5]
In 2008, it was recognised by FIAPF as an international competitive film festival.[6]
- Timeline
- 1985 – Film Discussion Club "Hybrydy" founds the festival, originally named Warsaw Film Week.[7] Creator Roman Gutek becomes its first director
- 1991 – Stefan Laudyn becomes new director of the festival and name Warsaw Film Week changes to Warsaw Film Festival
- 1995 – organised by Warsaw Film Foundation for the first time
- 2000 – festival gets accreditation from FIAPF and changes its name to Warsaw International Film Festival.[8]
- 2005 – for the first time, FIAPF jury gives special awards during Warsaw International Film Festival
- 2008 – FIAPF adds Warsaw Film Festival to its list of international festivals, accredited as a competitive film festival specialised in first and second features and films from Central and Eastern Europe[6][9]
Description
The festival is host to the International Federation of Film Critics awards for enterprising filmmaking in Central Europe and beyond.[10]
Programmes
The programme consists of the following sections[11]:[citation needed]
- The International Competition – premiering competition for international features
- 1–2 Competition – for 1st and 2nd feature films
- Free Spirit Competition – competition for independent, innovative, rebellious feature length fiction and documentary films from all over the world.
- Documentary Competition
- Shorts Competition – For narrative, documentary and animated shorts (up to 40 minutes) from all over the world. Winners are Academy Awards eligible.
- Special Screenings – non competitive section dedicated to acclaimed filmmakers from all over the world
- Discoveries
- Family Cinema Weekend
All the films presented, regardless of the section (competitive or non-competitive), are eligible for the Audience Award.[citation needed]
Juries
Award winners
International Competition winners
- Warsaw Grand Prix (called the Grand Prix Nescafé from 2002 until 2007, 18th-23rd edition)[12]
