Thessaloniki International Film Festival

Every autumn the film festival gives Thessaloniki a second life after dark. The Olympion cinema, on Aristotelous Square, is the festival's historic home. Since 1999 the port has been its second centre, with four theatres in two restored warehouses, and the 67th edition in 2026 ran from 5 to 15 November with a free multimedia installation at Gate 1 of the port, open daily from 13:00 to 21:00.

The festival began in 1960 as the Greek Film Week and became an international event in 1992. Its focus is independent cinema and new filmmakers, with a strong emphasis on voices from the Balkans and Southeast Europe. The International Competition is judged for the Golden Alexander, and a separate Golden Alexander goes to the section "Meet the Neighbors", which covers Southeast Europe and the Near East. Agora, the festival's industry and market programme, was launched in 2005. The audience is more than 80,000, and talks and masterclasses run alongside the screenings.

How to go: the Olympion and the port are both in the city, so a base in the centre or near the port keeps the screenings within reach, and it is wise to book a room early. Our Thessaloniki guide describes where to stay and eat, and mentions the Olympion. The next dates are not out yet; the festival is held in autumn, usually in early November.