Thursday is the penultimate day of the festival and the atmosphere in Košice is reaching its peak. Audiences still have the chance to catch powerful competition titles, discover lesser-known cinematic gems, attend an inspiring Industry programme, and round off the day with an evening of music at Tabačka. Today’s line-up will delight fans of classics, contemporary auteur cinema, and the darkest horror tales alike.
The festival morning kicks off at 10:00 in Kino Úsmev with SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE, personally selected by director György Kristóf for the “György Kristóf Invites” section. This poetic yet starkly realistic film by Géza Radványi—born in Košice and brother of Sándor Márai—follows a group of orphans in the bombed-out landscape of post-World-War-II Hungary. We will screen the restored digital version of this story about loss, humanity, and hope.
At 10:30 in the ALFA gallery at Kulturpark, the Industry programme continues with a discussion on film music featuring a special guest—Slovak guitarist and composer David Kollar. The author of scores for Comeback, Miki, Černák, and Punk je hned! will shed light on composing for film in terms of visuals, rhythm, and storytelling. This meeting with an artist whose collaborations cross genres and borders is a great opportunity for filmmakers and music lovers alike.
At noon, 12:00, we return to Kino Úsmev, where the “Love and Anarchy” section presents Miguel Gomes’s latest film GRAND TOUR. This adventurous work, combining historical moments with modern experimentation, takes viewers on a journey across Asia and through time. Winner of the Best Director prize in Cannes and the Silver Hugo in Chicago, it is one of the standout titles of this year’s programme.
At 13:00 in Kulturpark JOJ CINEMA, catch the Slovak mockumentary SCHEEP TOO by director Peter Pavlík. This satirical film follows conspiracy theorist Ľuboš, who, after losing his parents and during the war in Ukraine, gets a new chance to spread his “truth.” In an absurdly grotesque investigation of an assassination attempt on the prime minister, he becomes a tool of even greater manipulation. With sharp yet entertaining humour, the film holds a mirror up to today’s society and media. Director Peter Pavlík and producer Igor Kovács will attend the screening in person.
In the afternoon at 14:00 in Kino Veritas, the International Competition of Central and Eastern Europe screens I WAS BORN TO SERVE—a powerful longitudinal documentary about the Fülöp brothers from Transylvania, Romania. Forced into servitude on a farm as children, they now battle addiction and unfulfilled dreams as adults. The film is a personal testimony to generational poverty and forgotten destinies.
At 16:00 in Kulturpark JOJ CINEMA, experience the grand Indian drama GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI, inspired by the true story of one of the most influential women in Mumbai’s underworld. From trafficking victim to respected leader fighting for women’s rights, Gangubai’s journey is rendered with emotion, colour, and music. The film has garnered numerous awards, including honours at the prestigious Filmfare Awards.
Thriller and horror enthusiasts will be in their element at 19:30 in the “Late Night Show” section, when Kulturpark JOJ PLAY shows THE RITUAL, inspired by a real 1928 exorcism case. Legendary Al Pacino stars as a priest confronted by supernatural phenomena and his own doubts. Director David Midell draws on authentic testimonies to deliver not only a terrifying experience but also a profound psychological exploration of faith and uncertainty.
The day concludes with the accompanying programme at Tabačka. At 20:00 in the courtyard, DJ duo Sova & Damián will spin sets that blend rap with electronics, energy, and unexpected transitions. If karaoke is more your style, Dance Karaoke: DANCEOKE starts at 20:30 inside Tabačka. An oversized screen with dance video projection will encourage everyone to join in—“I can’t dance” is not an excuse in the Danceoke universe. The more of us on the floor, the more fun we’ll have. This is something you definitely can’t miss! It’s the perfect time to relax, dance, and let the penultimate festival night fade out in style.
The 31st IFF ART FILM is made possible thanks to the support of:
Organizer: ART FILM FEST s.r.o.
Co-organizers: Mesto Košice · K13 – Košické kultúrne centrá · Visit Košice · ART FILM FEST, n.o. · LGM, s.r.o. · FORLIVE
Financial support: Audiovizuálny fond · Nadácia SPP
Co-financed by: Košický samosprávny kraj through the Terra Incognita programme
Main Partners: národná lotériová spoločnosť TIPOS · Slovenská elektrizačná prenosová sústava, a.s. · CODES Brand House
Main Media Partners: TV JOJ · Pravda · Eurotelevízia
Automotive Partner: Moris Slovakia
Advertising Partners: Best Press · U. S. Steel Košice · ANTIK telecom · Kino Úsmev · LOKO TRANS Media · CORE Labs · Technická univerzita v Košiciach
Technology Partners: NOV · ZEBRA · Deutsche Telekom Systems Solutions Slovakia · T4H · LEDGO · DELTA OnLine · ARICOMA · TelekomCLOUD
Official Suppliers: DKC Veritas · Kaviareň Slávia · PLOOM · Krušovice BOHÉM · pramenitá voda Lucka · DOMOS SLOVAKIA · Reštaurácia Contessa · Aupark Shopping Center Košice · Pierre Baguette · Julius Meinl · Red Fox Golf Club
Official wines: Kubbo Select · Ostrožovič
Media Partners: JOJ play · JOJ 24 · Film Europe · Rádio KOŠICE · Aktuality.sk · Forbes · Startitup.sk · Korzár · Slovenka · SITA · TASR · Mediaboard · See & Go · Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze – ČSFD · BigMedia · Košice City Guide · Košice v skratke · Film.sk · diva.sk · koktejl.sk · zenskyweb.sk · MOJAkultúra · Kino Sterio · Dopravný podnik mesta Košice · AHOJ TV
Partners: JOJ Cinema · Jojko · Veľvyslanectvo Indie v Bratislave · Carmeuse Slovakia · DDDental · TINY Houses · ECO Technologies · Letisko Košice · Local Nomad Tours · Slovenský filmový ústav · Taper · YumEarth · Puella vône · Kvety Garomi · čLOVEčina hra · Rakúske kultúrne fórum · TESCO Store SK · CPK Transport · Tabačka Kulturfabrik · King Media · Východoslovenské múzeum v Košiciach · Letní filmová škola · KPK Reklama · MIHYRING · Zoberma taxi · Hair Factory Košice · Veľvyslanectví České republiky v Bratislavě
Gastronomy Partners: Pub u Kohúta · El Nacional · OhniskO Fire Dining & Brew Bar · Maiko Sushi · Macarons Košice · šum vináreň · Café de Paris · Casa Trade – Casablanca cafe · TATRATEA · Moritz Eis
