Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2026

The 67th Thessaloniki International Film Festival runs from 31 October to 9 November 2026, making it one of the most significant cultural events in Greece’s autumn calendar. Now in its seventh decade, TIFF is the most prestigious film festival in southeast Europe and a respected platform on the international circuit - particularly for first and second features and independent world cinema.

Programme and Competition

The main competition focuses on first and second films by international directors, with past editions consistently identifying directors who went on to wider critical recognition. Alongside the competition, the festival presents substantial retrospective programmes, a dedicated Greek films section, documentary strands, and an industry programme connecting Greek filmmakers with international co-production partners.

Screenings run daily across multiple Thessaloniki venues including the Olympion Cinema on Aristotelous Square and several neighbourhood cinemas. Q&A sessions with directors and guest appearances by filmmakers are a regular feature of the programme. Tickets for individual screenings are sold at the box office and online at filmfestival.gr; a multi-screening pass offers good value for visitors planning several days.

Thessaloniki in Early November

Early November in Thessaloniki is one of the city’s best times to visit. Temperatures typically range from 12 to 18°C - cool enough to be comfortable but rarely cold, and the summer tourist crowds have thinned considerably. The waterfront promenade is pleasant for evening walks, the White Tower and Rotunda are easily accessible, and restaurant tables in the Ladadika and Bit Bazaar neighbourhoods are available without long waits.

The festival brings a concentrated energy to the city: screenings, discussions, industry events, and the presence of visiting filmmakers and critics make Thessaloniki feel particularly alive during these ten days. For visitors who enjoy film culture alongside city travel, the combination is hard to beat.

Getting to Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is served by Makedonia Airport (SKG), with direct connections from most major European cities. The city is also reachable by high-speed train from Athens in approximately three hours on the Hellenic Train network. Browse Thessaloniki city tours and walking tours for guided introductions to the city’s Byzantine monuments and Ottoman-era landmarks.