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Film Festivals in Thessaloniki
Greece's northern capital of Byzantine walls and waterfront cafes, hosting the Balkans' oldest film festival every November.
Run by Thessaloniki Film Festival, with published dates and a real program.
Dates & details verified against: Official event site ↗
Why here
The Thessaloniki International Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the Balkans, running since 1960 when it began as Greek Film Week, and it stages its editions from a headquarters at 10 Aristotelous Square on the city's long waterfront. The 67th edition runs November 5-15, 2026, pairing international competition premieres with the Agora industry market, and the same organization runs a documentary festival each March, so the city carries film culture in two seasons. November in Thessaloniki means festival screenings by the bay, Byzantine churches between venues, and a cafe scene that treats cinema arguments as civic sport.
Best months
Annual in the first half of November: the 2026 edition runs November 5-15. The sister documentary festival runs each March. Screenings are ticketed and affordable; book competition premieres early.
Getting there & around
Thessaloniki airport has direct European links; festival venues cluster around Aristotelous Square and the port warehouses, all walkable.
Skill levels: beginner
Schools & guides (1)
Thessaloniki Film Festival
OrganizerThe cultural institution staging the Balkans' oldest film festival since 1960, plus the Agora market and the March documentary festival.