From October 21 to 25, 2026, the 25th edition of CINEMAFORUM – International Short Film Forum will take place at Kino Atlantic. The event, co-organized and co-financed by the City of Warsaw, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, presenting a program that includes over one hundred films, music videos, and retrospectives. All screenings organized as part of the festival are free of charge.
Main Competition and Music Videos
The centerpiece of the program is the International Short Fiction Film Competition, where 14 titles from various corners of the globe, including productions from Singapore, the Philippines, Portugal, and South Africa, will compete for the Grand Prix. Among the submissions are films that have been screened at festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Sundance, Clermont-Ferrand, and Palm Springs. Audiences will have the opportunity to watch three competitive screenings, with meetings with the creators scheduled after the screenings. A significant part of the festival is also the 15th Independent Music Video Showcase, which will feature 27 new clips and a retrospective, totaling 36 presented productions.
Retrospectives and Special Screenings
The festival is distinguished by a rich program of special sections. As part of the American Short Classics cycle, prepared in cooperation with the American Film Festival, early works by renowned directors will be presented. Audiences will see the beginnings of the artistic careers of, among others, George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis, Ryan Coogler, and Jon M. Chu. The screening will take place on October 23 at 21:00.
In the MASTERS section, marking the 100th anniversary of Andrzej Wajda's birth, the festival will screen three of his early films: „Ceramikę iłżecką”, „Złego chłopca”, and „Kiedy ty śpisz”. Additionally, the program includes sections for British BAFTA Shorts, featuring five films (including the documentary “This Is Endometriosis” and the animation “Two Black Boys in Paradise”), as well as a horror cycle in cooperation with the Octopus Film Festival, presenting five short horror productions, including “Klee”, “Open Mic”, and “Wax”.