Croatia’s film festival scene offers cinema enthusiasts an extraordinary array of experiences throughout 2025, from ancient Roman amphitheatres to lakeside screenings. These festivals showcase the very best of international and domestic cinema whilst providing unique cultural experiences that extend far beyond the silver screen.
Pula Film Festival – Cinema in Ancient Splendour
Pula, 11-18 July 2025
The 72nd Pula Film Festival stands as one of Europe’s oldest and most spectacular open-air film festivals, transforming the iconic Pula Arena into a cinematic wonderland. This 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre provides an unparalleled backdrop where history, art, and cinema converge in magnificent fashion.
The festival’s programming spans multiple venues across Pula, ensuring accessibility and variety for all visitors. The main competition and Popular Pula screenings take centre stage at the Arena, whilst the Istrian National Theatre and Valli Cinema offer free entry screenings. For a truly unique experience, Ambrela Beach provides seaside cinema under the stars, and the Festival Centre at the Home of Croatian Veterans hosts side events and evening concerts.
Practical Tips for Festival-Goers:
- Arrive early as Arena seating is unnumbered
- Pack a light jacket for evening screenings despite warm temperatures
- Utilise local buses or walk from the city centre due to limited parking
- Don’t miss the nightly concerts and film discussions at the Festival Centre
- For those who miss screenings, the Pula Travels tour will visit Croatian cinemas throughout the summer
Cinehill Festival – Green Cinema Sanctuary
Fužine, 22-27 July 2025
Making its debut in the picturesque town of Fužine, the Cinehill Festival (https://cinehill.eu/en/cinehill-presents-its-program) positions itself as Croatia’s greenest film festival. This six-day celebration offers a refreshing escape from summer heat and urban chaos, nestled amongst pristine lakes and verdant landscapes.
The festival boasts an impressive programme of around one hundred titles, including comedies and films suitable for all generations. International cinema luminaries will grace this film feast, bringing world-class entertainment to an intimate setting. Beyond Fužine, screenings will also take place in Delnice, Lič, Lokve, Moravice, Karlovac, Rijeka, and Zagreb, featuring two competitive sections: international feature films and short films.
Musical Performances – All Free of Charge:
- Darko Rundek & Eko Quartet – Musical whispers of a brighter world for post-film relaxation
- Balkalar – Ethnic celebration of life with euphoric rhythms through Balkan soundscapes
- Ki Klop – Disco pop mutant that continues to evolve
- Cinzia Regensburger – Live piano accompaniment to the silent classic “Sun of St. Moritz” (1923)
- DJ sets until dawn – Because when you’re dancing by the lake, sleep comes later
The festival’s emphasis on music as an integral component creates a holistic cultural experience that extends well beyond traditional film screenings.
Zagreb Film Festival – Croatia’s Cinematic Capital
Zagreb, 10-16 November 2025
As Croatia’s largest international film festival and one of Zagreb’s most visited cultural events, the Zagreb Film Festival has spent nearly two decades championing independent cinema. Held annually in November, this festival presents audiences with the finest recent independent international and domestic film productions.
The festival’s core mission focuses on discovering and promoting contemporary independent films and debut works from directors worldwide. By providing both festival and distribution platforms for films often absent from multiplex cinemas, ZFF has played a crucial role in nurturing generations of film art enthusiasts.
The festival enjoys robust support from the City Office for Culture, International Relations and Civil Society, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Creative Europe’s MEDIA sub-programme, and the Zagreb Tourist Board, ensuring its continued growth and international recognition.
Planning Your Cinema Journey
For film enthusiasts planning to experience Croatia’s festival circuit, the summer months offer the perfect opportunity to combine Pula and Cinehill festivals, whilst autumn brings the sophisticated programming of Zagreb Film Festival. Each event offers distinct advantages: Pula’s spectacular setting, Cinehill’s intimate atmosphere and musical programming, and Zagreb’s comprehensive international selection.
Croatia’s film festivals prove that cinema is not merely entertainment but a gateway to cultural understanding, artistic appreciation, and unforgettable experiences in some of Europe’s most beautiful settings.
