Košice International Film Festival 2026: International Cinema Comes to Slovakia

HELLENIC MEDIA GROUP | CULTURE • CINEMA • INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS

The Košice International Film Festival (KIFF) will return to Košice, Slovakia, from December 11–13, 2026, bringing filmmakers, cinema professionals and audiences together at Kino Úsmev, one of Slovakia's oldest continuously operating cinemas.

A Festival Connecting Filmmakers and Audiences

Now entering its seventh year, the Košice International Film Festival presents itself as an international platform open to filmmakers from around the world.

The festival places particular emphasis on social issues, minority stories, emerging talent and distinctive contemporary cinema, while also creating opportunities for filmmakers and film students to meet professionals from the international film industry.

The 2026 edition will take place during the city's pre-Christmas season, when Košice hosts its Christmas markets, adding a distinctive atmosphere to the festival experience.

Documentary Cinema at the Heart of the Programme

Documentary filmmakers are among those invited to submit their work to KIFF 2026.

The festival includes both Feature Documentary and Short Documentary competitions.

For Feature Documentary, KIFF accepts films of more than 52 minutes, while Short Documentary films must be under 30 minutes, including end credits.

The winner of the Best Feature Documentary category receives a $200 cash prize, while the winner of the overall Best Short Film award, which includes Short Documentary among its eligible categories, receives a $200 cash prize.

International Competition

KIFF is open to filmmakers worldwide.

One particularly important requirement for international productions is the Slovak Premiere rule. International films must not have been publicly screened in Slovakia before the festival, including public online screenings accessible from Slovak territory.

The festival also states that eligible films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.

A Wide Range of Awards

The 2026 edition features a broad range of awards recognizing different aspects of filmmaking.

Among the main prizes are:

Best Feature Fiction — $300
Best Feature Documentary — $200
Best Short Film — $200
Best Slovak Short Film — $200
Best Screenplay — $200
Special Award for an Exceptional and Unique Project — $200
Best Music Video
Best Director – Short Film
Best First-Time Director
Best Cinematography
Best Super Short Film
Best Female Director
Best Young Filmmaker
Best Original Screenplay

The festival also presents an Audience Award, with a one-year Sundance membership as the prize.

Beyond Screenings

KIFF's programme extends beyond film screenings.

According to the festival, its professional and educational activities include filmmaking workshops, masterclasses, film analysis, feedback meetings, filmmaker discussions and networking events.

The festival has also worked with international filmmakers, distributors, national film centres and organizations connected with major international film events.

This creates an environment where the festival experience extends beyond the competition itself, giving filmmakers opportunities to exchange ideas and develop professional connections.

Kino Úsmev: A Historic Cinema Setting

The 2026 festival will take place at Kino Úsmev, located at Kasárenské námestie 1 in Košice.

The cinema has been operating continuously since 1922, providing a historic setting for screenings, filmmaker discussions and meetings between audiences and creators.

For an international festival, the combination of a historic cinema venue and the cultural atmosphere of Košice gives the event a distinctive identity.

The Final Deadline Is September 29

For filmmakers considering participation in the 2026 edition, the Final Deadline is September 29, 2026.

The festival lists October 16, 2026 as the notification date, followed by the physical festival in Košice from December 11–13, 2026.

For Short Documentary, the Final Deadline submission fee listed by FilmFreeway is $30 for Standard entrants and $25 for Gold Members.

For Feature Documentary, the listed Late Deadline fee is $29, while the FilmFreeway page currently lists the applicable deadline schedule and fees by category.

An Opportunity for Independent Filmmakers

For independent filmmakers, documentary creators and emerging directors, the Košice International Film Festival offers an international platform where cinema, social storytelling and professional networking meet.

Its focus on contemporary stories, minority experiences, social issues and new filmmaking talent makes KIFF particularly relevant to creators whose work looks beyond conventional storytelling and explores the people and societies around us.