The Athens International Film Festival returns for its 32nd edition, from 30 September to 11 October 2026.
From much-talked-about premieres and major returns to cult gems and a carte blanche by Yorgos Lanthimos, the Athens International Film Festival is back with a line-up designed to draw us into the cinema once again. Its 32nd edition brings together a varied programme with more than enough reasons to head out and take a seat in the dark.
THE FILMS WORTH ADDING TO YOUR LIST
Jordan Firstman’s Club Kid opens this year’s festival. A bittersweet queer story with sharp humour, the film arrives in Athens on the back of excellent reviews following its premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Also on the programme is Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine, which brings John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell together in a dark comedy set on Easter Island in 1973. In Queen at Sea, Juliette Binoche takes on a more introspective story centred on a family navigating difficult change.
Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s The Beloved, meanwhile, brings Javier Bardem and Victoria Luengo together in a psychological drama charged with thriller-like tension, while Primetime, starring Robert Pattinson in a dark story set around the world of television, is shaping up to be one of the festival’s standout premieres.
YORGOS LANTHIMOS’ PICKS
At this year’s festival, Yorgos Lanthimos presents seven films personally selected for the festival audience. The acclaimed Greek director’s list ranges from Stranger by the Lake and Wendy & Lucy to Wanda, Welcome to the Dollhouse and Mikey and Nicky.
The selection offers a glimpse into the distinctive cinematic world that has shaped Lanthimos’ own tastes and inspirations.
The festival will, of course, also feature further major premieres, special events, parties across the city and one-off screenings of films likely to generate plenty of conversation in the months ahead.
The full programme is available at www.aiff.gr.
