As autumn whispers through Crete’s olive groves, film enthusiasts from around the world descend on Chania for the Chania International Film Festival, a beloved showcase of global stories on the silver screen. Set for October 15 to 26, 2025, in the enchanting old town of Chania, Greece, this 13th edition, known as CFF13, invites directors, actors, and cinephiles to celebrate fiction, documentaries, and animations in venues bathed in Mediterranean light. Held amid historic walls and seaside promenades, CFF offers an intimate film journey that feels both worldly and warmly local, rooted in the island’s timeless love for storytelling.
Launched in 2013 by the Cultural Society of Crete, the festival has blossomed into a cornerstone of Greek cinema, blending international flair with community spirit. It is more than screenings, it is a vibrant hub where new voices meet seasoned talents, fostering creativity under the Cretan sun.
A Celebration of Stories and Society
Since its inaugural year, the Chania International Film Festival has grown steadily, staying true to its mission of connecting cinema with everyday life. Founded to intervene in society through film, as envisioned by director Matthaios Frantzeskakis, it draws on Chania’s role as a cultural crossroads between Europe and the East. Over the past decade, it has screened hundreds of works, earning acclaim for its inclusive approach and ties to education via the CFF Edu program.
The 2025 edition promises to gather thousands for 12 days of inspiration, with submissions open from February to May and selections announced by July’s end. Themes like acceptance, inclusion, and historical memory, highlighted in last year’s winners, will continue to shine, supported by partners including the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center, Creative Greece. Films from 2022 to 2025 qualify, no premieres required, making it accessible for emerging makers.
Nestled in Chania’s Venetian harbor, the festival evokes lazy afternoons in tavernas, where tales unfold like sea breezes. Expect no glitzy excess, just heartfelt projections, lively debates, and a shared passion for the seventh art.
The Site: Harbor Views and Historic Halls
CFF13 unfolds across Chania’s gem-like spaces, transforming the city’s cultural heart into a cinematic playground. The main hub is the Cultural Center of Chania, with its grand halls hosting premieres and panels amid frescoed walls and sea views. Screenings spill into cozy theaters like the nearby Cine Rex and outdoor spots along the old port, where films flicker against the lighthouse at dusk.
Venues cluster in the walkable old town, from the Municipal Art Gallery for art-house picks to pop-up sites in the Venetian arsenals. Attendees meander cobblestone alleys lined with bougainvillea, grabbing souvlaki from street vendors or gelato by the waves. The layout sparks serendipity, with festival maps guiding easy hops between spots. Local cafes buzz with post-screening chats, while the harbor’s gentle lap adds a soundtrack of calm.
This setting not only spotlights Chania’s UNESCO-protected harbor but echoes the festival’s ethos, carrying stories across waters like ancient Cretan myths once did.
A Line-up of Global Visions and Local Gems
CFF13 excels in its eclectic curation, blending established auteurs with fresh talents from Greece and beyond. The program features a competition section for shorts and features, plus official selections in fiction, documentary, and animation. Special tributes and thematic blocks, like Mediterranean narratives or youth stories from CFF Edu, add depth. Jury and audience awards honor Greek and international entries alike, with categories for best director, screenplay, and more.
Last year’s 12th edition dazzled with over 100 films, including the Oscar-winning short “Sing” by Kristof Deák, who attended in person. Winners tackled poignant themes, such as a Greek doc on lost professions earning the audience prize, and an international animation on inclusion taking the jury nod. For 2025, expect similar thoughtful picks, with masterclasses by guests like Deák and workshops on filmmaking ethics. Parallel events include the “True Stories” documentary project by local youth, blending education with artistry.
The roster ensures balance, pairing high-energy premieres with quiet reflections, all curated to spark dialogue on cinema’s role in society.
Days of Screenings and Nights of Reflection
Mornings at CFF13 start soft in sun-dappled halls. Families and students fill seats for CFF Edu sessions, where kids craft mini-docs inspired by Cretan history. Aspiring filmmakers attend seminars on editing or funding, led by pros over strong Greek coffee. Breaks mean harbor strolls, sampling fresh feta salads or olive oil tastings from nearby groves.
Afternoons pulse with competition screenings at the Cultural Center, where cheers erupt for bold shorts on migration or love. Food stalls serve Cretan classics, like dakos barley rusks topped with tomatoes and cheese, keeping crowds fueled for Q&As. The vibe hums with excitement, as directors share behind-the-scenes tales amid laughter and nods.
As twilight paints the sky apricot, evenings ignite with gala projections under stars. The main hall glows for features, lights dimming to reveal tales of resilience echoing off stone walls. Post-film debates flow into tavernas, where raki shots loosen tongues for deeper chats. Late nights host open-air jams or poetry slams tying back to Chania’s literary roots, with the sea’s murmur underscoring every frame. The rhythm feels alive yet unhurried, like a conversation with old friends.
A Festival Built on Creativity and Connection
CFF13 goes beyond reels, embracing values of inclusion and cultural exchange. It partners with schools for year-round cine-lessons, turning films into tools for empathy and history. Sustainability shines through eco-friendly venues and local sourcing, reducing waste while boosting Chania’s economy. The schedule weaves set screenings with free-form meetups, like beachside script reads or volunteer-led tours of film locations.
Diversity fuels the core, with spotlights on underrepresented voices from the Balkans to Africa. Prizes include cash and distribution deals, launching careers, while hospitality covers stays for select guests. In a fast-scroll world, CFF stands as a thoughtful anchor, valuing unrest and intervention through art.
Planning Your Visit
Film submissions run February 1 to May 31, 2025, via FilmFreeway, with free entry for shorts under 30 minutes. Public tickets go on sale in September, affordable at €5-10 per screening, with passes for €50 covering all. Students and locals snag discounts, and online streams ensure global access.
Chania is a breeze to reach, fly into Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport for a 20-minute taxi to town, or ferry from Athens. Stay in harbor hotels like the Porto Veneziano or family guesthouses in the old town, many with balconies overlooking the action. October’s mild 20°C days call for light layers, and early booking claims prime seats. Download the festival app for schedules, and arrive a day ahead to wander the lighthouse or market.
Why Chania International Film Festival Stands Out
Amid blockbuster fests, CFF13 feels refreshingly human. No velvet ropes or sponsor overload, just packed halls where a local doc moves audiences to tears, or an indie gem sparks heated debates over ouzo. It is the place to catch a future Oscar contender in a 200-seat theater, or join kids in crafting stories that honor forgotten trades, as in 2024’s triumphs.
Rooted in Crete’s narrative soil, from Minoan legends to modern migrations, it reminds us cinema heals and unites. Attendees leave not just entertained, but inspired to see the world anew through a lens.
Explore the Surroundings
Beyond the buzz, Chania’s allure beckons. Stroll the Venetian walls at sunrise for panoramic sea views, or hike Samaria Gorge for rugged inspiration. Dive into the Archaeological Museum for ancient artifacts that echo on-screen myths, or relax on Elafonissi Beach’s pink sands for a half-day escape.
Day trips to Rethymno uncover more forts and frescoes, while evening mezes in hidden meyhana deepen ties to Cretan hospitality. These pauses enrich the festival, weaving film’s magic with island rhythms, from lyra music to wild thyme scents.
CFF13 offers more than movies, it crafts a tapestry of shared dreams. With its harbor glow, bold visions, and heartfelt bonds, it beckons you to immerse, reflect, and emerge with stories etched in memory long after the lights rise.
Follow Chania International Film Festival online for updates on submissions, schedules, guest announcements, and travel tips: Instagram: @chaniafilmfestival