Vienna International Film Festival

The Vienna International Film Festival, known as the Viennale, is held every October in Vienna, Austria. Since 1960, it has brought together around 75,000 visitors to experience new films, retrospectives, and special events across the city’s historic cinemas.

• Held every October in Vienna since 1960
• Attracts about 75,000 visitors annually
• Screenings at historic venues like Gartenbaukino and Urania
• Awards include the Vienna Film Prize and FIPRESCI Prize
• Features international premieres and retrospectives

What it is

The Vienna International Film Festival, or Viennale, is Austria’s premier film event, drawing cinephiles and filmmakers from around the world each October. It showcases a diverse selection of new feature films, documentaries, shorts, and experimental works, with a strong emphasis on both international and Austrian cinema. The festival is known for its welcoming atmosphere, where audiences and filmmakers mingle at screenings, discussions, and special events. For many, the Viennale is a celebration of creative storytelling and a chance to discover new voices in film.

Where it comes from

Founded in 1960, the Viennale has grown from a local film gathering into a major international festival. Over the decades, it has expanded its program to include not only premieres of new films but also retrospectives, tributes, and homages to significant figures and institutions in cinema. Its collaboration with the Austrian Film Museum brings a historical dimension, offering audiences a chance to explore film history alongside contemporary works. The festival’s long-standing tradition of awarding prizes, such as the Vienna Film Award and the FIPRESCI Prize, reflects its commitment to recognizing excellence in filmmaking.

How it is celebrated

The festival unfolds across Vienna’s iconic cinemas, including the Gartenbaukino, Urania, Metro-Kino, Filmmuseum, and Stadtkino. Audiences gather for screenings of feature films, documentaries, shorts, and experimental pieces, often followed by discussions with filmmakers and critics. Special programs, tributes, and retrospectives offer deeper dives into particular themes or artists. The atmosphere is lively, with galas, special events, and informal meetings between international guests and local film lovers. At the festival’s close, several awards are presented, including the Vienna Film Prize, the FIPRESCI Prize from international critics, and the Standard Readers’ Jury Award.

Joining in

Visitors can experience the Viennale by attending screenings at the city’s historic cinemas, where tickets are available to the public. The main venues are centrally located, making it easy to explore Vienna between films. Expect a friendly, open environment where newcomers are welcome, and English is commonly spoken at events. Beyond the films, the festival offers opportunities to join discussions, meet filmmakers, and participate in special events, making it a rewarding experience for anyone interested in cinema.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Vienna International Film Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Vienna International Film Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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