20. Vukovar Film Festival (20)

Festival start: 02 September 2026      Festival end: 05 September 2026

20. VUKOVAR FILM FESTIVAL / CROATIA

One of the largest and undoubtedly one of the most important film festivals in Croatia is moving forward! The 20th Vukovar Film Festival will take place from September 2th to 5th, 2026, thus staying in its familiar and much-loved time slot—at the end of summer, right between the end of the vacation season and the start of the new school year.

Founded in 2007, the festival is dedicated to showcasing the best of contemporary cinema from around the world, with a special focus on films from the Danube region and other countries.

The festival typically features a variety of film categories, including feature films, short films and documentaries. It highlights works that deal with global issues, social themes, and personal stories, offering a platform for emerging filmmakers as well as established names. VFF is known for its welcoming atmosphere and connecting filmmakers.

A signature feature of the Vukovar Film Festival is its location in the historic town of Vukovar, offering a unique setting that enhances the festival experience. Vukovar’s remarkable architectural and cultural backdrop is making the festival not just a celebration of cinema, but also a tribute to the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

Held under the open sky, the festival's central screen is located in the unique park of Eltz Castle, which itself provides an unforgettable setting and backdrop for both the opening and closing ceremony. The city of Vukovar is in those days is a place where people that are making the films and people that are enyojing the films are met.

Cinema under the stars is a special experience on all four days of the festival, from Wednesday to Saturday. On Wednesday, September 2th, the festival's grand opening and film screenings will be held in the gardens of Eltz Castle and on September 5th, film screenings, a closing ceremony and awards ceremony will be held. Representatives of films nominated in the official competition will receive an invitation to live screenings and the festival itself.

The festival's commitment to innovation, creativity, and artistic expression has made it a key player in the regional film festival scene.

Screening Fee Shorts: 20€
Screening Fee Features: 30€

Award for:

• Feature Film
• Short Film
• Documentaries (feature and short)
• Animated film (feature and short)
• Audience award
• Special award (for the individual)

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES - VUKOVAR FILM FESTIVAL:

Selected projects from all categories will be presented to the public at the 20th Annual Vukovar film festival currently scheduled to take place on September 2 – 5, 2026 (“20. VFF”).

Feature and Short Films & Animated Films:

Categories:
• Feature Film
• Short Film
• Documentaries (feature and short)
• Animated film (feature and short)

VFF showcases short and feature films from emerging talent and established filmmakers with distinct voices and bold new ideas. Films invited to participate in the 20. VFF 2026 will be shown in the section determined most appropriate by Festival programmers, in their sole discretion.
Eligible projects include feature films (runtime ≥ 40 minutes) and short films (runtime < 40 minutes).