Greece’s most important cinema event, the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, has announced its 67th edition for 31 October to 9 November 2026. The programme is now public - with early October being the window to plan and book ahead for one of the most atmospheric film festivals in Europe.
About the Festival
The Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF) has run since 1960, making it one of the oldest in Europe. Originally focused on Greek cinema, it expanded its international competitive section in 1992 and has since grown into a key showcase for independent world cinema - particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the Balkans.
The 67th edition spans ten days across cinemas throughout central Thessaloniki, including the landmark Olympion Cinema on Aristotelous Square and the Vox multiplex. The programme typically includes:
- International Competition: 12–15 features competing for the Golden Alexander
- Greek Film Panorama: new Greek features and shorts
- Balkan Survey: films from the broader Balkan region
- Special screenings and retrospectives: curated by the festival’s artistic team
- Industry section: co-production market and pitching forum attracting producers across the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean
Audiences can attend most screenings for €5–8 with festival passes available for the full run.
Why Thessaloniki for the Festival
Thessaloniki is a genuinely excellent city to spend time in - and relatively unknown compared to Athens among international visitors. The Byzantine walls, the Roman-era Rotunda and Arch of Galerius, the 14th-century churches of Agios Demetrios and Agios Georgios, and the Ottoman-era Jewish quarter (Ladadika) are all within walking distance of the festival’s central venues.
The city’s food scene is considered the best in Greece by many Greeks themselves - the bougatsa (warm custard pastry) at dawn, the mezedes at the market tavernas of Modiano, and the fresh fish along the waterfront are all things that reward a full day here rather than a rushed visit.
November in Thessaloniki brings temperatures of 14–18°C - cool but very comfortable, with short days offset by early evening warmth in the city’s restaurants and bars.
Getting There
Thessaloniki’s Makedonia Airport (SKG) has direct connections from Athens (45 minutes, multiple daily), plus routes from across Europe including London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Vienna, and Milan. From the airport, bus line 78X reaches central Thessaloniki in around 45 minutes.
Alternatively, InterCity trains from Athens to Thessaloniki take 4 hours 20 minutes - a scenic route passing through the Vale of Tempe and beneath Mount Olympus.
For full city planning, our Thessaloniki guide covers sightseeing, food, neighbourhoods, and where to stay. Our Greece practical guide has transport, currency, and visa information, and our things to do in Greece section covers activities beyond the festival week.