PIFF 2027 - Prague Independent Film Festival
International Film Festival with Screening
10th Edition
22.09 - 24.09 2027, Prague, Czech Republic
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A Celebration of Independent Cinema in the Heart of Prague
Founded in 2016, the Prague Independent Film Festival (PIFF) is an annual celebration of independent cinema, bringing together filmmakers, actors, artists, and film lovers from around the world.
The festival takes place at the legendary Lucerna Cinema, one of Prague’s most historic and atmospheric venues. More than a series of screenings, PIFF is an international meeting place where filmmakers and audiences can discover original films, exchange ideas, and connect across cultures.
Over the years, the festival has welcomed filmmakers and distinguished guests from around the world, including renowned actors Lazar Ristovski, Ed Stoppard, and Artur Smolyaninov.
PIFF celebrates films made with imagination, talent, artistic freedom, and a distinctive vision. We believe that great cinema is not defined by budget, production scale, or industry connections, but by originality and the filmmaker's ability to bring a unique perspective to the screen.
We welcome films from all countries, budgets, and genres, including drama, comedy, thriller, horror, animation, documentary, and experimental cinema. We are particularly interested in original ideas, inventive cinematography, memorable performances, and films that challenge conventions or explore new possibilities in cinematic storytelling.
Our aim is to give filmmakers the freedom to experiment, take creative risks, and present work that audiences might not encounter elsewhere.
PIFF has a special appreciation for auteur cinema and filmmakers with a distinctive artistic vision. We admire directors such as Orson Welles, Federico Fellini, Sergio Leone, Michelangelo Antonioni, Jean-Luc Godard, and Andrei Tarkovsky, whose work has expanded the possibilities of cinema.
Their films demonstrate that cinema can be much more than storytelling: it can be a deeply personal form of artistic expression.
We are equally interested in discovering contemporary filmmakers who are developing their own cinematic language. Supporting emerging talent and introducing new voices to international audiences is an essential part of our mission.
PIFF is about people as much as it is about films. We aim to create a welcoming environment where filmmakers can meet, exchange experiences, engage with audiences, and establish lasting professional and personal connections.
PIFF has also recognized an impressive range of international filmmakers and performers, with festival awards going to artists including Anthony Head, Mickey Rourke, Lena Olin, Lazar Ristovski, Kostadin Bonev, Anna Eriksson, and John Musker, among many others.
With its rich artistic heritage and vibrant cultural atmosphere, Prague provides an inspiring setting for this international gathering.
All submitted films are viewed by a jury of film professionals. Our selection and awards recognize artistic achievement rather than production budgets, commercial success, or industry status.
We value originality, innovative cinematography, strong performances, compelling storytelling, and, above all, a distinctive artistic voice.
The festival culminates in an award ceremony celebrating outstanding achievements in independent filmmaking and recognizing films that have made a lasting impression on the jury.
The Prague Independent Film Festival was founded on a simple principle: independent cinema matters.
We believe filmmakers deserve the opportunity to present their work to international audiences, regardless of their resources or position in the film industry. Our mission is to support artistic freedom, encourage experimentation, discover emerging talent, and foster international collaboration.
We welcome filmmakers with original stories, unconventional ideas, and distinctive visual styles to submit their work and become part of PIFF.
Come to Prague. Discover independent cinema. Meet filmmakers from around the world.
We truly are independent.
Our festival is an IMDB Qualified Event.
Ingmar BergmanWhen film is not a document, it is a dream.