International Film Festival Bratislava

The International Film Festival Bratislava was established in 1999. Starting as a small festival with just a few screens and some hundreds of visitors, it subsequently became a major annual cultural event hosting thousands of guests each year. The Festival has also changed location since its opening year. Originally organised at the Istropolis Congress Centre, then moved to the newly-opened shopping mall Polus City Centre and its multiplex cinemas, it moved again in 2003 to its current location at Aupark Palace Cinemas, utilising its location close to the city centre and good public transport connections.

The main programme section of the festival is the international competition of first and second live-action films (feature-length debut or second feature-length film of a director shot under conditions of professional or independent production). Competing films are judged by an international jury that awards the following prizes: Grand Prix for Best Film, Best Director Award, Best Actress Award and Best Actor Award. Authors of the rewarded films receive glass sculptures made by the RONA a s glassworks, Lednické Rovne, which boasts more than a century of tradition. The award trophy was created by Rastislav Uličný, creative director of MUW Saatchi & Saatchi agency, and young designer Patrik Illo. Since 2005 IFF Bratislava has also awarded various special prizes. Other programme sections of the festival present non-competitive screenings and retrospective sections.

The main organisers of the festival are the citizens associations Ars Nova and Partners Production. The festival is a member of the European Co-ordination of Film Festivals.