Summary
- The Thessaloniki Film Festival cinemas reopen on October 1, 2026.
- The programme is led by Alejandro G.
- Iñárritu's Digger starring Tom Cruise, shot entirely in VistaVision with Emmanuel Lubezki as cinematographer.
- NAZA and Ildikó Enyedi's Silent Friend are also part of the line-up.
- The Thessaloniki Cinematheque launches its season with the Cinema Again retrospective featuring 20 films.
Thessaloniki Film Festival’s cinemas return on October 1 with a new programme featuring Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger starring Tom Cruise, the documentary NAZA and Ildikó Enyedi’s Silent Friend.
Olympion and Pavlos Zannas at Aristotelous Square, together with Stavros Tornes and John Cassavetes at Warehouse 1 in the port, are reopening for the new cinema season. The programme combines major international productions, contemporary documentary filmmaking and an extensive Thessaloniki Cinematheque retrospective.
The season opener is also particularly relevant to filmmakers and image creators, as Iñárritu’s Digger was shot entirely in VistaVision, with Oscar-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki serving as director of photography.
Iñárritu’s Digger starring Tom Cruise
One of the major titles in the new programme is Digger, the new film from Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Tom Cruise stars as a powerful man racing to prove that he can save humanity before the disaster he unleashed spirals out of control.
Warner Bros.’ official material lists Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons among the cast. For audiences interested in the craft behind the image, the production stands out for being shot entirely in VistaVision and for Iñárritu’s latest collaboration with Emmanuel Lubezki as cinematographer.
NAZA exclusively at the Festival’s cinemas
The programme also includes NAZA, the new documentary by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor about Gaza. The film drew strong reactions and major discussion at the recent Venice Film Festival and will screen in Thessaloniki exclusively at the Festival’s cinemas.
Ildikó Enyedi’s Silent Friend
The new season also brings Silent Friend by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi. The film had already been presented to Thessaloniki Film Festival audiences and now returns to the Festival’s regular cinema programme for the new season.
Thessaloniki Cinematheque: Cinema Again with 20 films
The Thessaloniki Cinematheque also launches its new season on October 1 with the Cinema Again retrospective. It features a selection of 20 films from the Hellenic Film Academy screening cycle, expanding the programme beyond new commercial and festival releases.
The venues and programme
Screenings take place at Olympion and Pavlos Zannas at Aristotelous Square, as well as Stavros Tornes and John Cassavetes at Warehouse 1 in the Port of Thessaloniki. The complete and updated screening schedule is published on the official Thessaloniki Film Festival website.
What we think
The return of the four cinemas gives Thessaloniki a strong start to the new season: a major international production with notable cinematography credentials, a timely documentary, a new work from an important European filmmaker and a 20-film retrospective. For image creators, Digger is particularly interesting because of its VistaVision production and Emmanuel Lubezki’s presence behind the camera.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Festival cinemas reopen?
The new cinema season at the Thessaloniki Film Festival venues begins on October 1, 2026.
Which cinemas are included?
Olympion and Pavlos Zannas at Aristotelous Square, plus Stavros Tornes and John Cassavetes at Warehouse 1 in the port.
What are the main films in the opening line-up?
Highlights include Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger starring Tom Cruise, NAZA by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, and Ildikó Enyedi’s Silent Friend.
Where can I find the full screening schedule?
The complete schedule and screening updates are available at filmfestival.gr.
