The 42nd Warsaw International Film Festival (WFF) opens on 9 October and runs until 18 October, with screenings spread across the cityβs main cinema venues including Kinoteka inside the Palace of Culture and Science, MuranΓ³w, Luna, and several smaller art house spaces in central Warsaw.
Programme Highlights
The International Competition section features feature-length fiction films from first and second-time directors - WFF traditionally focuses on emerging voices rather than established auteur names, which distinguishes it from larger European festivals. Alongside the main competition, the Free Spirit section screens Polish and international films with experimental or unconventional approaches to narrative.
Documentary fans are well served by a dedicated strand, and the Polish Films section provides a concentrated look at domestic productions from the past year. A retro programme and themed sidebar also run each year, though the full 2026 programme is confirmed only at the official opening.
Tickets and Venues
Passes and individual tickets are sold through the WFF website (wff.pl) from mid-September. Single screenings typically cost 25β30 PLN. The festival pass structure offers the best value for visitors attending five or more films over the ten days. Kinoteka - the main venue - is located in Plac Defilad 1, directly adjacent to Centrum metro station, making it accessible from most central hotels on foot or by metro.
Queuing at the venue on the day is possible for films that have not sold out, though popular competition entries and Polish premiere screenings sell quickly. Subtitles are in English for non-Polish productions.
Planning Around the Festival
The WFF runs during one of Warsawβs best weather windows - early October tends to be crisp and dry before autumn rains set in. Film festival visitors who have additional days in the city will find the Old Town and Praga district well worth exploring; our Warsaw guide covers the main areas and transport logistics. The Warsaw tours page includes walking tours and guided excursions that work well as half-day additions to a festival itinerary. A broader overview of arts and events across the country is available in our cultural activities in Poland guide.