The Warsaw International Film Festival (WFF) is entering a bold new era. From 10-19 October 2025, the Polish capital will once again host one of Europe’s most highly respected cinematic events, with its 41st edition marking the start of a fresh chapter, involving a new visual identity, new leadership and renewed ambition.

The festival is now steered by a team with deep roots in WFF. Joanna Szymańska-Szcześniak takes over as general director, alongside Bartek Pulcyn as programming director, Eliza Subotowicz heading up industry and Agnieszka Lenart leading communications. Together, they aim to open the festival up further to the city, audiences, filmmakers and international professionals, positioning WFF as both forward-looking and faithful to its heritage.

A key focus of this revitalisation is the Warsaw Industry Days (13-18 October), a reimagined professional platform designed to highlight emerging talent from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and foster meaningful exchanges between Polish and international industry players. Its programme includes the Warsaw Co-Production Forum, Warsaw Industry Talks, Warsaw Next workshops, the FIPRESCI Warsaw Critics Project, Wajda School New Talents, The Art of Editing workshops, Doc Lab Poland, and a series of networking events.

Submissions are open for the Warsaw Co-Production Forum (14-17 October), which welcomes projects in development and works in progress from the CEE region that are seeking international co-production opportunities, particularly with Poland. Selected projects will be showcased in a closed setting to an audience of producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, festival programmers and post-production experts. The format combines tailored feedback with targeted one-to-one meetings, helping teams prepare their projects before they enter the wider market.

The deadline for applications is 10 September 2025. Full details are available here.