The 19th edition of CinÉast, which takes place from 9 to 25 October in Luxembourg, presents a wide-ranging selection of films from Central and Eastern Europe, accompanied by talks, debates and special events.

In addition to Agnieszka Holland’s Franz and Paweł Pawlikowski’s Fatherland, which we’ve covered here and here, the Polish programme is particularly rich. It notably features several films by Andrzej Wajda (Danton, Korczak, The Promised Land) as part of a retrospective dedicated to Andrzej Wajda to mark the centenary of his birth; as well as numerous recent productions (the film Erupcja featuring Charli XCX, Natalia Koniarz’s documentary Silver, and Lalka by Maciej Kawalski, to name but a few).

There’s something for everyone! Check out the full programme and screening times. 

As well as film screenings, the CinÉast festival offers a host of special events.

‘CROSSROADS’ PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

From October 9 to 21, 2026 (see catalogue)
Neimënster Cultural Centre, Luxembourg 

The photography exhibition “Crossroads” brings together five documentary projects exploring moments of transition, uncertainty and choice—both on an individual level and across entire societies.

The exhibition reflects on some of the major transformations currently shaping Central and Eastern Europe: migration, war, rapid social and political change, and the ways in which individuals cope with these upheavals. Focusing primarily on personal stories, everyday places and intimate moments, “Crossroads” offers an empathetic and nuanced perspective, revealing uncertainty and upheaval, but also resilience and the possibility of new beginnings.

^{Photos: Vesselina Nikolaeva and Jules Slutsky}

^{Photos: Vesselina Nikolaeva and Jules Slutsky}

Polish photographer Agata Grzybowska presents her project Those Who Stayed. This series focuses on civilians who chose to remain in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale
invasion in 2022. Her photographs explore what it means to struggle every day to preserve daily

Featured artists: Cosmin Bumbu. & Elena Stancu, Andrea Diefenbach, Agata Grzybowska, Vesselina Nikolaeva and Jules Slutsky.

The exhibition opening will take place on October 8 at 6:30 p.m. (free admission).

CINÉ-CONCERT: “THE CONDUCTOR” BY PEPOL & THE PEOPLE 

International premiere Tuesday, October 20 at 8:45 p.m.
CINEMATHEQUE, Théâtre des Capucins

(Re)discover Andrzej Wajda’s acclaimed 1979 film The Conductor in a ciné-concert format: the ensemble Pepol & The People will perform live a new score inspired by Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, composed and performed by renowned Polish cellist Michał Pepol and his ensemble.

The international premiere will take place at CinÉast, as part of the festival’s retrospective dedicated to Andrzej Wajda, organised on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of the great Polish filmmaker.

POLISH EVENING

Thursday, October 22 at 8:30 p.m.
Ciné Utopia

Don’t miss the Polish Evening, featuring the Polish documentary  The Queen and the Smokehouse,with director Iga Lis in attendance.

With warmth, humour and an attentive eye for her colourful characters, Lis portrays Miecia, the charismatic owner of a fish smokehouse on the Polish Baltic coast, who has spent four decades building her own little kingdom. The film offers a funny and touching portrait of a woman facing a turning point in her life.

The evening will continue with Polish specialities and drinks in a convivial atmosphere.

TRIBUTE TO ANDRZEJ SEWERYN

Thursday, October 15 and Saturday, October 17
Ciné Utopia + Kinepolis Kirchberg

This edition of CinEast will welcome legendary Polish actor Andrzej Seweryn. One of the very few foreign actors to have become a member of the Comédie-Française, and with more than 50 film roles to his name, Seweryn has built an exceptional international career in film, theatre and television.

To celebrate his remarkable career, CinEast will present several films spanning different decades and showcasing the many facets of his work. On October 15, Andrzej Wajda’s epic The Promised Land (1975) will be followed by a conversation with Seweryn, who will share his memories of filming this landmark of Polish cinema. His long collaboration with Wajda is also represented by two other films in the programme: Danton (October 9) and The Conductor (October 20), for which Seweryn won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlinale.

On October 17, the international premiere of the brand-new film Picasso’s Mermaid will be followed by an in-depth conversation with the actor about his career. From his early collaborations with Wajda and Żuławski to his work in France and Poland with filmmakers such as Raúl Ruiz and Steven Spielberg, Seweryn will look back on the films, directors, characters and encounters that have shaped his extraordinary career.