26th New Horizons International Film Festival

The 26th edition of the New Horizons International Film Festival once again brings bold, visionary cinema to Wrocław, celebrating filmmakers who push boundaries and redefine the language of film. Recognized as one of the most important film events in Central and Eastern Europe, the festival presents daring debuts, masters of auteur cinema, and discoveries from around the world — both in theaters and online.

New Horizons has always been an interdisciplinary festival, where cinema is presented alongside visual arts and music. The filmmakers featured at the festival often move beyond the boundaries of traditional storytelling, exploring the language of visual and performance art. For this reason, the festival’s Artistic Scene, organized in collaboration with BWA Wrocław Galleries of Contemporary Art, is a natural extension of the film program. Through exhibitions held in Wrocław’s galleries, it presents film and moving image works within an expanded artistic field.

Open and accessible to all, and supported by a uniquely engaged audience, New Horizons connects multiple strands of activity: film screenings, educational initiatives, and industry events. In 2025, the festival reached a record attendance of 169,737 viewers, who could choose from 271 films presented across 628 screenings. More than 500 guests accepted the invitation, including dozens of directors from around the world.

Key Dates for the 2026 Edition

March 3, 2026
Launch of festival passes and the second batch of vouchers.

March 15, 2026
Submission deadline for the New Horizons International Competition.

April 2, 2026
Deadline for Shortlist submissions.

April 21, 2026, 12:00 PM
Opening of volunteer applications.

May 7, 2026, 12:00 PM
Start of sales for press and industry accreditations.

May 31, 2026, 11:59 PM
Closing of volunteer applications.

June 16, 2026
Announcement of volunteer selection results.

June 21, 2026, 11:59 PM
End of sales for participant passes, industry accreditations, and press accreditations (or earlier if sold out).

July 7, 2026, 12:00 PM
Official festival program published on the festival website.

July 9, 2026, 12:00 PM
Start of single ticket sales for cinema screenings and access passes for the online festival (available exclusively via the festival website).

July 22, 2026
Opening of the Festival Center at Kino Nowe Horyzonty in Wrocław. Distribution of passes and accreditations begins, along with the opening of the festival box office at the cinema.

July 23, 2026, 8:30 AM
Online seat reservations open for pass and accreditation holders.

July 23, 2026, 12:00 PM
Launch of the online festival.

July 23, 2026
Official Opening Gala of the 26th New Horizons International Film Festival.

July 24, 2026
Opening of the festival box office at the Lower Silesian Film Centre.

August 1, 2026
Official Awards Gala of the 26th New Horizons International Film Festival.

August 9, 2026
Closing of the online festival.

The New Horizons International Film Festival transforms Wrocław into a vibrant meeting place for filmmakers, critics, industry professionals, and audiences eager to explore ambitious and unconventional cinema from around the globe.