Summary
- The 67th Thessaloniki International Film Festival runs from November 5 to 15, 2026.
- Its programme includes 258 theatrical films and 58 streaming selections.
- Major highlights include retrospectives of Oliver Laxe and Nikos Grammatikos and talks with international filmmakers.
- Ticket presales begin November 3.
Event Details
The 67th Thessaloniki International Film Festival has revealed its full lineup, featuring 258 films in cinemas, 58 available online, major retrospectives and filmmakers from around the world.
Running from November 5 to 15, 2026, the festival will take over Olympion, Pavlos Zannas, the Port venues and Makedonikon cinema. Ticket presales begin November 3.
This year’s visual identity draws on Sofia Rozaki’s artwork spatial affects, while Stavros Markoulakis directed the four festival spots.
258 films in Thessaloniki and 58 online
The lineup spans international competitions, contemporary Greek cinema, restorations, special screenings, series and immersive storytelling. The 58 films offered digitally will be available through the festival’s online platform; the entire theatrical lineup will not be streamed.
Four international competitions feature Arrivals, Meet the Neighbors+, >>Film Forward and Immersive. The latter presents eight works, creating space for VR filmmaking and other forms of cinematic experience.
Opening and closing films
On November 5, the festival opens with Minotaur by Andrey Zvyagintsev, winner of the Cannes Grand Prix. A concert by Pavlos Pavlidis follows at Warehouse C, with free admission upon obtaining a zero-cost ticket.
The festival closes on November 15 with May el-Toukhy’s Woman Unknown, winner of the Golden Lion in Venice. Actress Mathilde Arcel will also attend in Thessaloniki.
The filmmakers and retrospectives to watch
Oliver Laxe, director of Sirât, serves as guest curator for the Welcome to the Desert programme, selecting 17 films. The retrospective extends beyond the cinema with a multimedia installation at MOMUS Experimental Center for the Arts, a desert-inspired space at the Port and VR works.
Nikos Grammatikos receives an honorary Golden Alexander, with screenings of his features and shorts and previously unseen big-screen footage from Exodos (1995). Composer Stavros Xarchakos will also receive a Golden Alexander for his overall contribution to culture, accompanied by a screening of Costas Ferris’s Rembetiko.
Talks and presentations will welcome influential film theorist Laura Mulvey, directors Emin Alper and Fatih Akin, filmmaker Sara Driver, actress Trine Dyrholm and editor Yorgos Mavropsaridis, among others.
Greek films, the Agora and emerging voices
The latest full programme lists 26 Greek features and 28 shorts. The earlier Greek film announcement listed 26 features and 27 shorts, based on the festival’s preceding release. The new announcement does not explain the one-short difference.
Highlights include Maria Plyta’s restored Eva (1953), a screening of Happy Beginning (1954) and Alexis Alexiou’s new film Sea of Glass. A Balkan Horror tribute will also explore the region’s cinematic horror traditions.
With Christopher Papakaliatis as ambassador, the Agora brings together directors, producers and industry professionals to develop film projects. The European Film Awards nominations will be announced in Thessaloniki on November 14, while NextGen offers educational screenings for young audiences. The Kids Love Cinema and NextGen screenings add family-focused programming.
What we think
For people who make images, one of the strongest reasons to attend this year is the chance to see different filmmaking approaches in one place: editing, directing, world-building through installations and VR experiences. A screening becomes even more valuable when you can also hear the people who made the work talk about their decisions.
We would put the Grammatikos retrospective high on the list, especially the archival material and Exodos, alongside Laxe’s programme exploring the relationship between moving images and physical space. Laura Mulvey’s presence is another opportunity to think more carefully about gaze, framing and how we portray our characters.
Independent filmmakers should also check the Agora programme. Conversations and potential collaborators can be just as useful as a full day of screenings.
Frequently asked questions
When do tickets go on presale?
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, according to the festival’s official announcement.
Will every film be available online?
No. The festival lists 58 films on its streaming platform, compared with 258 films in its theatrical programme.
