Pula Film Festival – Croatia 2026

Background & History

The Pula Film Festival, Croatia’s oldest and most prestigious film event, was founded in 1954 as a showcase for Yugoslav cinema, making it one of Europe’s longest-running national festivals. Its origins trace back to 1953, when Marijan Rotar organized a revue of foreign hits in the ancient Roman Arena of Pula, drawing 50,000 spectators despite technical challenges. The first official festival in 1954 featured six Yugoslav features and international co-productions, marking the beginning of its legacy. Over 70 years, it has screened over 2,000 films, evolving from a regional revue to an international platform for Croatian and European cinema, with a focus on premieres, retrospectives, and industry networking.

Held in Pula, Istria’s cultural capital and a UNESCO site, the festival’s slogan “One Light, Thousands of Memories” symbolizes shared cinematic experiences under the stars. It has hosted luminaries like Federico Fellini and earned acclaim for its Arena screenings, the world’s only ancient amphitheater used for films. The 72nd edition (2025) saw nearly 5,000 more visitors than 2024, with all films scoring 4+ from audiences. The 2026 edition, its 73rd, will celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of its competitive format, emphasizing Croatian films, minority co-productions, and global talent. Under the direction of Hrvoje Hribar, it continues to promote cultural heritage, with over 70,000 attendees in 2025 and a Pula PRO industry program for emerging filmmakers.

Event Highlights

Main Activities or Performances

The Pula Film Festival 2026, from July 9 to July 16, will feature over 150 screenings across 10+ venues, including 20+ Croatian features and shorts in the main competition for Golden Arena awards. The program includes premieres like Bumblebee’s Summer (Daniel Kušan, children’s film), Good Children (Filip Peruzović, drama), Dražen (Danilo Šerbedžija, biopic), and Fiume o Morte! (Igor Bezinović, documentary). International selections from Europe and beyond, with English/Croatian subtitles, will screen in the Arena, Valli Cinema, Istrian National Theatre, and Ambrela.

Highlights include the opening ceremony (July 9, Arena), awards night (July 16), and the audience award Golden Gate of Pula. The Pula PRO industry program offers pitching sessions, masterclasses with figures like Joyce DiDonato, and networking for 200+ professionals. Family events, student films, and retrospectives (e.g., 1950s Yugoslav classics) round out the lineup, with live music and exhibitions at Giardini.

Special Traditions or Features

The festival’s hallmark is Arena screenings under the stars, a tradition since 1954, with 10,000+ seats and the world’s largest average audience per screening. The Golden Arena awards, voted by juries of critics and professionals, honor best film, director, actor, and more. The Golden Gate of Pula audience award, based on ballot votes, adds interactivity—visitors vote at Arena, Valli Cinema, and Istrian National Theatre for prizes from sponsors like Arena Hospitality Group.

Traditions include free bus passes with tickets (7:00 PM–4:00 AM, lines 71, 72, 73) and the Festival Info Point at Giardini for tickets/souvenirs. Sustainability features eco-friendly practices, while the Pula Cinematheque preserves Yugoslav film heritage. The 2026 edition will mark the 60th anniversary of competitive programming, with special retrospectives and international guest artists.

Unique Attractions for Visitors

Pula’s Roman Arena (1st century AD, 23,000 seats) provides a magical open-air cinema experience, one of only two remaining amphitheaters in the world used for films. The festival transforms the city with installations, pop-up screenings in parks, and the Giardini hub for free events. Visitors can explore Pula’s UNESCO sites like the Temple of Augustus or Aqueduct, or join guided tours of Istria’s wineries.

The Pula PRO program offers industry panels and pitching for emerging filmmakers, while family attractions include children’s films and workshops. Off-site, the Brijuni National Park (ferry from Pula) and Rovinj (1 hr drive) offer natural beauty. The festival’s visual identity, inspired by the Arena’s projection booth, symbolizes cinematic memory, with English subtitles for all international films.

Date & Duration

Festival Dates

• 2026 Dates: Thursday, July 9 – Thursday, July 16, 2026 (estimated based on 2025: July 10–17; typically mid-July)
• Future Dates: July 8–15, 2027 (estimated)

Duration

• 8 days, with 150+ screenings, awards ceremonies, and industry events.

Opening Hours

• Arena Screenings: Evenings, 9:00 PM start (gates open 8:00 PM); duration 2–3 hours per film.
• Daytime Venues (Valli Cinema, Istrian National Theatre, Ambrela): 10:00 AM–10:00 PM.
• Festival Info Point (Giardini): July 5–18, 9:00 AM–10:00 PM (tickets/souvenirs).
• Outside Arena Sales: July 9–18, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, 6:00 PM–midnight (tickets); souvenirs 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, 6:00 PM–10:00 PM.
• Box Office: Online from June 2026; on-site from July 5.

Venue / Location

Primary Venues

The festival centers on Pula’s historic sites, with the Arena as the iconic main stage:

• Pula Arena: Ancient Roman amphitheater (1st century AD, 23,000 seats) for opening/closing ceremonies and major screenings.
• Valli Cinema: Modern cinema for daytime films and retrospectives.
• Istrian National Theatre: Historic venue for dramas and international selections.
• Ambrela: Outdoor space for family events and shorts.
• Giardini: Festival hub for info, tickets, souvenirs, and exhibitions.

Other locations include parks for pop-up screenings and the Pula PRO for industry events. All films have Croatian/English subtitles; international non-English films include English subtitles.

Main Location Addresses

• Festival Office: Veruda 22, 52100 Pula, Croatia – Google Maps
• Pula Arena (Main Venue): Flavijevska ul. 1, 52100 Pula, Croatia – Google Maps
• Valli Cinema: Carrarina ul. 4, 52100 Pula, Croatia – Google Maps
• Istrian National Theatre: Radićeva ul. 9, 52100 Pula, Croatia – Google Maps
• Ambrela: Stoja 37, 52100 Pula, Croatia – Google Maps
• Giardini (Festival Info Point): Giardini, 52100 Pula, Croatia – Google Maps

Ticket Information

Sales Channels

Tickets available online at pulafilmfestival.hr from June 2026, or at the Festival Info Point (Giardini, July 5–18, 9:00 AM–10:00 PM) and outside Arena (July 9–18, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, 6:00 PM–midnight). Souvenirs at Giardini and outside Arena. Contact ulaznice@pulafilmfestival.hr for inquiries.

Ticket Exchange

Tickets non-transferable; refunds for cancellations within 30 days via ulaznice@pulafilmfestival.hr. Lost tickets reissued with proof of purchase.

Admission Type

Paid for Arena screenings; free for Valli Cinema, Istrian National Theatre, and Ambrela. Open to all ages; under-16s with adult. No pets; service dogs with ID.

Pricing Range

• Minimum: €3 (~$3.30 USD) for pensioners (single Arena screening).
• Maximum: €40 (~$44 USD) for set of all Arena evenings.
• Breakdown:
  • Individual Arena Screening: €6 (~$6.60 USD)
  • Set for All Arena Evenings: €40 (~$44 USD)
  • Students (Single Arena): €5 (~$5.50 USD, with proof)
  • Pensioners (Single Arena): €3 (~$3.30 USD, with proof)
  • Daytime Venues: Free
  • Smurfs Screening: €6 full price (no discounts)
  • Booking Fees: None online; on-site cash/card.
• VIP Options: Accredited passes for professionals (~€50–€100, ~$55–$110 USD) include priority seating and industry events; apply via pulafilmfestival.hr.

Payment Methods

Online: Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard). On-site: Cash, cards at Info Point and Arena booths.

Contact Information

General Contact

• Tel: +385 52 393 321 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; extended during festival)
• Email: info@pulafilmfestival.hr
• Website: https://www.pulafilmfestival.hr (English, Croatian)
• Social Media:
  • Instagram: @pulafilmfest
  • Facebook: @pulafilmfestival.hr
  • X/Twitter: @pulafilmfest
  • Hashtag: #PulaFilmFestival2026
• Newsletter: Sign up at pulafilmfestival.hr (email required).

Key Staff

• Hrvoje Hribar: Director, overseeing programming and operations.
• Festival Council: Includes Valli Cinema representatives for governance.

Organization

• Legal Entity: Public Institution Pula Film Festival, Veruda 22, 52100 Pula, Croatia
• Note: Response ~24–48 hours; multilingual (English, Croatian). Ticket inquiries to ulaznice@pulafilmfestival.hr.

Cultural Experience

Artistic Diversity

The festival celebrates Croatian and European cinema, with 2026 screening over 150 films, including premieres like Bumblebee’s Summer (children’s), Dražen (biopic), and Fiume o Morte! (documentary). The Arena’s open-air screenings under the stars create a magical atmosphere, with English subtitles for international films. Retrospectives honor Yugoslav classics, while Pula PRO offers pitching and masterclasses for emerging talent.

Community Engagement

With 73,000+ visitors in 2025, the festival unites locals and tourists, with free daytime screenings fostering inclusivity. The audience award Golden Gate of Pula encourages participation via ballots. Volunteers (apply via pulafilmfestival.hr) support events, while educational programs engage students. The festival’s UNESCO ties highlight Pula’s Roman heritage.

Culinary and Local Traditions

Food stalls at Giardini offer Istrian specialties like fritaja (omelet with truffles, ~€8–€12) and pršut (prosciutto, ~€6–€10). Vegan fuži pasta (~€7–€11) and gluten-free options available. Desserts: rožata custard (~€3–€5). Beverages: Malvazija wine, local beer (~€3–€8); non-alcoholic elderflower (~€2–€4). Tickets double as free bus passes (7:00 PM–4:00 AM).

Local Exploration

Pula’s Arena, Temple of Augustus, and Brijuni National Park (ferry, 30 min) offer Roman history. Day trips to Rovinj (1 hr) or Poreč (45 min) explore Istria’s coast. Guided tours via pulaturist.com.

Food & Drinks

Culinary Offerings

Stalls at Arena/Giardini (9:00 AM–10:00 PM) serve:

• Istrian Classics: Fritaja with asparagus (~€8–€12), pršut platters (~€6–€10).
• Vegetarian/Gluten-Free: Fuži pasta, truffle risotto (~€7–€11).
• Desserts: Rožata, krafne (~€3–€5).
• Beverages: Malvazija wine, Karlovacko beer (~€3–€8); elderflower spritz (~€2–€4).

Dining Logistics

Cash/card payments; allergen info available. Free water stations. No glass/alcohol in Arena.

Getting There

By Air

• Pula Airport (PUY): 6 km (~15 min drive, ~€100–€250 USD flights). Buses to Pula (~20 min, ~€5).
• Rijeka Airport (RJK): 100 km (~1.5 hr drive, ~€80–$200 USD). Shuttles to Pula (~€20).

By Train

• Pula Station: From Zagreb (~5 hr, ~€20–€40 USD). Walk to Arena (~15 min).

By Bus

• From Zagreb (~4 hr, ~€15–€25 USD). Local buses to Arena (~€2).

By Car

• From Zagreb (A9, ~3 hr, 260 km). Parking at Veruda (~€5–€10/day).

By Bike/Walking

• Rentals (~€10–€20/day). Arena central, 10–15 min walk from station.

Accommodation Options

Luxury

• Park Hyatt Pula: Sea views, ~$150–$350 USD/night; parkhyattpula.com.

Mid-Range

• Hotel Scalera: Near Arena, ~$80–$200 USD/night; hotelscalera.com.

Budget

• Hotel Milan: Central, ~$40–$100 USD/night; hotelmilanpula.com.

Airbnb

• Apartments ~$50–$150 USD/night.

Accessibility

Overview

Adheres to Croatian standards. Contact info@pulafilmfestival.hr for PRM support.

Accessible Tickets

€3–€5 for pensioners/students; free companion passes.

Venue Accessibility

Arena ramps, accessible toilets. Valli Cinema lift-equipped.

Transport Accessibility

PRM parking near Arena; accessible buses.

Digital Accessibility

Website WCAG-compliant.

On-Site Support

Stewards at entrances; service dogs allowed.