- What is the New Horizons Film Festival?
- When does the New Horizons Film Festival take place?
- Where does the festival take place?
- What kind of films can you see at New Horizons?
- Who is the New Horizons Film Festival for?
- Tickets, passes and planning your screenings
- Why are New Horizons important for Wrocław?
- The New Horizons Film Festival – key facts at a glance
- FAQ – frequently asked questions
The New Horizons Film Festival is one of the most important film events in Poland and one of the most recognizable highlights of Wrocław’s summer cultural calendar. It is a festival for viewers looking for auteur, artistic and formally bold cinema — films that rarely make it into regular theatrical distribution.
What is the New Horizons Film Festival?
The New Horizons Film Festival is an international film festival focused on art-house, auteur, experimental and boundary-pushing cinema. The programme includes premieres, competitions, retrospectives and special screenings, with many titles awarded or previously shown at the world’s leading film festivals.
In practice, New Horizons is a true “festival of discovery”: instead of obvious hits, audiences are offered films that surprise with their themes, form and storytelling.
When does the New Horizons Film Festival take place?
The festival takes place in summer, usually at the turn of July and August, and lasts around 10–11 days. The exact dates change every year, so it’s best to treat this article as a general guide and update only the dates section once the official schedule is announced.
Practical tip If you’re planning a weekend in Wrocław around the festival, book accommodation in advance — this is a period of high demand in the city centre.
Where does the festival take place?
Festival screenings are held in cinemas and dedicated festival venues across Wrocław, usually in locations well connected to the city centre. In selected editions, there may also be open-air screenings and accompanying events, allowing visitors to experience the festival atmosphere even without a pass.
What kind of films can you see at New Horizons?
The programme of New Horizons is broad, but held together by one core idea: cinema that truly expands horizons. In practice, you may encounter:
- international competitions and premiere screenings,
- retrospectives of renowned directors and discoveries from outside the mainstream,
- experimental cinema, genre hybrids and bold narrative forms,
- special screenings, talks, discussions and events for both experienced and first-time festival audiences.
If you’re just starting your journey with art-house cinema, a good approach is to choose 1–2 “safe bets” per day plus one completely blind pick. It’s the easiest way to find your own festival taste within just a few days.
Who is the New Horizons Film Festival for?
Although the festival is often associated with devoted cinephiles, it is open to anyone who enjoys culture and wants to experience more than the standard multiplex repertoire.
New Horizons is especially appealing to:
- people looking for auteur cinema and ambitious themes,
- tourists who want to combine sightseeing in Wrocław with a cultural event,
- students, creators and professionals from the creative industries,
- viewers who value discussions, meetings and the unique festival atmosphere.
Tickets, passes and planning your screenings
At New Horizons, you can purchase single tickets as well as festival passes. The most popular screenings can sell out quickly — especially if the programme includes high-profile, award-winning titles or one-off special screenings.
The most comfortable way to attend is to select a few “must-see” films in advance and leave the rest to spontaneous choices — as some of the best discoveries often happen by chance.
Why are New Horizons important for Wrocław?
For years, the festival has helped shape Wrocław’s image as a city of culture and contemporary art. It attracts visitors from across Poland and abroad, strengthens the summer tourist season and makes the city live and breathe cinema for several days.
For many people, it is also a reason to return to Wrocław year after year — not only for its landmarks, but for the atmosphere and the intensity of its cultural programme.
The New Horizons Film Festival – key facts at a glance
- What it is: an international film festival (auteur, art-house and experimental cinema).
- When: summer, usually late July or early August (dates vary each year).
- How long: approx. 10–11 days.
- Where: cinemas and festival venues across Wrocław (often in the city centre).
- Who it’s for: cinephiles, tourists and anyone curious about ambitious cinema.
