Warsaw Film Festival (; WFF), also known as Warsaw International Film Festival, is an annual international film festival held every October in Warsaw, Poland.
The 40th edition of the festival took place from 11 to 20 October 2024. The 41st edition of the festival took place from 10 to 19 October 2025, and showcases 112 features and 56 shorts.
History
The festival has been held every year since 1985.
In 2008, it was recognised by FIAPF as an international competitive film festival.
Timeline 1985 – Film Discussion Club "Hybrydy" founds the festival, originally named Warsaw Film Week. 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. 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
Description The festival is host to the International Federation of Film Critics awards for enterprising filmmaking in Central Europe and beyond.
Programmes The programme consists of the following sections: 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.
Juries International Competition Jury The Competition 1–2 Jury Free Spirit Competition Jury Documentary Competition Jury Shorts Competition Jury Jury FIPRESCI Jury NETPAC Ecumenical jury – by SIGNIS
Award winners International Competition winners Warsaw Grand Prix (called the Grand Prix Nescafé from 2002 until 2007, 18th-23rd edition) YearFilmOriginal titleDirectorCountry2002EdiEdiPiotr Trzaskalski2003With Love, Lilly (S luboviu, Lilia)Larisa Sadilova2004The Beautiful City (Shahr-e Ziba)Asghar Farhadi2005Sorry for Kung FuOprosti za kung fuOgnjen Sviličić2006Euphoria (Eyforia)Ivan Vyrypaev2007Night TrainYi'nan Diao / / 2008Yuri's Day (Yurev Den)Kirill Serebrennikov / 2009LourdesLourdesJessica Hausner / / 2010IncendiesIncendiesDenis Villeneuve ≈2011RoseRóżaWojciech Smarzowski2012Tango LibreTango LibreFrédéric Fonteyne / / 2013IdaIdaPaweł Pawlikowski2014The Coffin In the MountainXin Yukun2015Neon BullBoi NeonGabriel Mascaro2016Malaria (Malaria)Parviz Shahbazi2017To Kill a WatermelonZehao Gao2018The DelegationDelegacioniBujar Alimani2019ShindisiShindisiDito TsintsadzeWarsaw International Film Festival:'Shindisi' Wins Grand Prix|Hollywood Reporter202018 Kilohertz18 килогерцFarkhat Sharipov2021MiracleMiracolBogdan George Apetri / / 2022May Labour DayPraznik radaPjer Žalica2023The Shadow of CatireLa sombra del CatireJorge Hernandez Aldana / 2024 TrafficReostatTeodora Ana Mihai / / 2025NinoPauline Loqués
References
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