The official Opening Ceremony will take place on Wednesday 14 October at 19:00 at Kinepolis Kirchberg. We are delighted to announce that the Opening film will be the Luxembourg premiere of Fatherland (Poland, Italy, Germany, France, 2026), directed by Paweł Pawlikowski, winner of the Best Director Award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The film has also been selected as Poland’s official submission for the Academy Awards. [Synopsis below] The event is open to the public. Journalists can apply for accreditation here.
Before the official opening, CinEast will kick off with its Warm-Up Weekend, running from 9 to 11 October. Highlights include a tribute to Oscar-winning production designer Allan Starski, as well as the opening concert by acclaimed German artist Shantel, accompanied by the Bucovina Club Soundsystem.
The 19th edition of CinEast, running from 9 to 25 October 2026, will feature more than 120 screenings, bringing together over 65 feature films and 60 short films from 20 countries across Central and Eastern Europe. The programme will also include several Luxembourg co-productions, a major photography exhibition, 6 concerts, 6 film debates, several tributes and encounters with around 30 guests. A selection of films will also be available online.
Ticket prices will be 10.50 € for in-cinema screenings and 7.50 € for online screenings. A reduced in-cinema rate of 7.50 € will be available to those under 28 and over 65. A Festival Pass, valid for 10 screenings of your choice – at festival venues or online – will also be available for 49 €, with an early-bird price of 39 € until 1 October.
As last year, festivalgoers are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets – or reserve their seats – in advance through our Eventive online ticketing platform (cineast.eventive.org), which will also host the CinEast Online Cinema. The platform will become accessible after the press conference.
We are already available to answer your questions and respond to interview requests or requests for exclusive materials. You can submit your accreditation requests to cover the festival’s various highlights.
- FATHERLAND BY PAWEŁ PAWLIKOWSKI – OPENING FILM, 14 OCTOBER – SYNOPSIS
Germany, 1949. Sixteen years after fleeing the Nazi regime, Thomas Mann returns to a country scarred by war. Accompanied by his daughter Erika, he travels in a black Buick through the American and Soviet occupation zones, from Frankfurt to Weimar, to receive a Goethe Prize in each city. A journey combining a return to his roots with a confrontation with Germany’s past. The film will be screened in its original-language version, predominantly in German, with English subtitles.
- SHANTEL & BUCOVINA CLUB SOUNDSYSTEM – OPENING CONCERT, 9 OCTOBER
German DJ and producer Stefan Hantel, better known as Shantel, and his Bucovina Club Soundsystem have been setting festivals and clubs around the world alight for more than two decades. They have established themselves as one of the leading acts blending Eastern European sounds with club music. Their infectious, high-energy mix will set the Melusina dance floor alight and launch CinEast in style! After the concert, the party will continue with a DJ set by Shantel. Advance tickets are already available online for 29 € (32 € at the door).
The CinEast 2026 Festival is organised by CinEast asbl in cooperation with the Kinepolis Group, the Cinémathèque, neimënster, the Cinextdoor network, Ancien Cinéma and others. Main partners and sponsors: Luxembourg Ministry of Culture, City of Luxembourg, Luxembourg – Let’s Make It Happen, Film Fund Luxembourg, PwC Foundation Luxembourg and Kulczyk Investments. Co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme.
Website: www.cineast.lu / Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
