The 24th edition of the Tirana International Film Festival (TIFF) will take place from 21 to 27 September 2026, bringing filmmakers, industry professionals and cinema enthusiasts from around the world to the Albanian capital.
Over the past two decades, TIFF has established itself as one of Southeast Europe’s leading film festivals. Recognised as an Academy Award-qualifying festival for short films and acknowledged by the European Film Academy, the event has played an important role in placing Albania on the international cinema map.
This year’s festival is held under the theme “Bring It Back… Humanography”, focusing on human stories, emotions and experiences through the language of cinema.
The programme will feature a broad selection of international feature films, documentaries and short films competing across several categories. Alongside the main competitions, audiences will be able to explore thematic panorama programmes dedicated to new perspectives, contemporary social issues and emerging forms of audiovisual storytelling, including a dedicated section focused on artificial intelligence.
One of the major highlights of TIFF 2026 will be a special retrospective dedicated to legendary Italian filmmaker Luchino Visconti. The programme will revisit several of his most influential works and celebrate his lasting contribution to European cinema.
The festival will also spotlight contemporary filmmaking from North Macedonia, while special programmes will present Oscar-nominated short films, European Film Award contenders and a curated selection of Swiss productions.
Beyond screenings, TIFF continues to strengthen its role as a platform for professional development. The fifth edition of Screenplay ContesTIFF will provide opportunities for emerging screenwriters to present projects to industry professionals, while acclaimed filmmaker Teona Strugar Mitevska and producer Labina Mitevska will lead masterclasses during the festival.
A dedicated programme for children and teenagers will continue TIFF’s long-standing commitment to film education, while workshops, exhibitions and networking events will offer additional opportunities for creative exchange.
Today, the festival attracts more than 30,000 visitors annually, receives around 3,700 film submissions from over 120 countries and screens more than 250 films each year, making it one of the region’s most significant cultural events.
Screenings and events will take place at several venues across Tirana, including Millennium Cinema, Agimi Art Center, Kino Piramida and Vila 31 Art Explora.
As it enters its 24th edition, TIFF continues to strengthen Albania’s position as a regional meeting point for international cinema, emerging talent and cultural dialogue.
