The 15th Aegean Film Festival returns to Patmos with international premieres and anniversary events

From July 16 to 24, 2026, Patmos will host the 15th Aegean Film Festival, which celebrates fifteen years of continuous presence in the Aegean cultural landscape. With a rich program featuring international premieres, award-winning films, notable documentaries, environmental initiatives, and side events, the festival is expected to transform the island once again this year into a meeting place for filmmakers and film lovers from around the world.

Marking its anniversary and with particularly high expectations, the 15th Aegean Film Festival returns to Patmos this year, reaffirming its international focus and its ever-growing influence. From July 16 to 24, the island will host a diverse program featuring Greek, European, and world premieres, award-winning films from leading international festivals, as well as tributes to prominent figures in European cinema.

This year, particular importance is being placed on the composition of the jury for the international competition program, which includes Ada Solomon, President of the European Film Academy, and Christian Jeune, Head of the Film Department and Deputy General Director of the Cannes Film Festival; the third member will be announced at the start of the event.

This year’s program features notable fiction films and documentaries that have been honored at leading film festivals around the world. Among them are the Greek premiere of Karim Ainouz’s “Rosebush Pruning,” based on a screenplay by Efthymis Filippou, the multi-award-winning “Vanilla” by Mexican director Mayra Hermosillo, as well as the Greek-German co-production “HEN” by György Pálfi, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The independent environmental section ECHOES holds a special place in the program; it is open to the public free of charge and is co-organized with the Green Fund. Through internationally acclaimed documentaries, discussions on marine conservation and the reforestation of Patmos, as well as a special tribute to Sir David Attenborough on the occasion of his 100th birthday, ECHOES highlights the festival’s close connection to the environment and sustainability.

At the same time, the public will have the opportunity to enjoy 39 short films, immersive and VR experiences, art exhibitions, and special events taking place at various locations across the island. The official opening ceremony will take place on July 17 at Marianna Cinema, and the festival will conclude with its traditional Closing Party.

With more than 4,000 visitors last year and a program that combines film, art, the environment, and culture, the Aegean Film Festival continues to be one of the most important cultural institutions in island Greece and one of the most recognizable international events hosted on Patmos.