Bucharest Short Film Festival takes place between September 5 and 12, 2026, at Cinema Muzeul Țăranului – Studioul Horia Bernea. The festival reaches its 11th edition and begins its second decade after ten years dedicated to short cinema.
BSFF 2026 presents contemporary fiction, animation, documentary, experimental and student films created by filmmakers from Romania and around the world.
The programme includes internationally awarded productions, an evening dedicated to Romanian cinema, Q&A sessions and two free masterclasses coordinated by French director and BSFF jury member Tibo Pinsard. All films are subtitled in Romanian and English.
Award-Winning Films at Bucharest Short Film Festival 2026
One of the main films presented at BSFF 2026 is Two People Exchanging Saliva, directed by Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteață, winner of the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2026. The film is included in the final screening programme on September 12.
The selection also includes For the Opponents, directed by Federico Luis, winner of the Short Film Palme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. It will be screened on September 10 as part of the documentary, experimental and student film programme.
Other notable productions include The Boy with White Skin, shortlisted for the 2026 Academy Awards, and The Dream Is a Snail, selected for the Cannes 2026 Short Film Competition.
Founded by independent film professionals, Bucharest Short Film Festival promotes innovative short films and provides a meeting point for international filmmakers, Romanian artists and Bucharest’s cinema audience.
Coming to Bucharest for Bucharest Short Film Festival 2026? Here Are Some of Its Attractions
Are you searching for Bucharest attractions while in the city for the BSFF 2026?
Bucharest is well known for different things – like the “Old Paris” nickname, in its bourgeois times, before the communism decades, or the world’s most enormous parliamentary building, and one of the most significant buildings of any kind, from its communism times, new architecture, or the explosive contemporary art scene, and the also quite impressive underground arts and music and nightlife communities, in its current times.
Besides, Bucharest in autumn is exquisite and full of attractions, so you should definitely visit the city and get back home full of exciting memories.
Autumn is a beautiful time to explore Bucharest, with September and October being the best for experiencing its fall splendour. The weather is mild and pleasant during this time, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as strolling through the city’s parks or visiting historical landmarks. With colourful foliage lining the streets and a comfortable climate, autumn offers a picturesque backdrop for exploring Bucharest’s highlights.
If you visit Bucharest on a weekend, we also have many recommendations for all international tourists arriving in Romania’s Capital in autumn.
Alternatively, you can check what to do in Bucharest for free at the link. It is a guide for anyone who wants to experience the city’s attractions in autumn without breaking the bank.
Bucharest Short Film Festival 2026 Programme
All screenings and masterclasses take place at Cinema Muzeul Țăranului – Studioul Horia Bernea.
Saturday, September 5
The festival opens at 19:30 with Fiction 1, a programme comprising five international short films.
Sunday, September 6
Fiction 2 begins at 19:30, presenting short films from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Kosovo, the United States and Brazil.
Monday, September 7
The first animation programme, Animation 1, begins at 19:30 and includes seven animated short films.
Tuesday, September 8
Animation 2 begins at 19:30, with eight short films from France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Ireland.
Wednesday, September 9
The Romanian Film Evening begins at 19:30 and will be followed by a Q&A with members of the film teams. Admission is free, based on a zero-value ticket booked in advance.
Thursday, September 10
A free Film Directing Masterclass, coordinated by French director Tibo Pinsard, begins at 18:00.
At 19:30, the festival continues with a programme dedicated to documentary, experimental and student films. The selection includes For the Opponents, winner of the Short Film Palme d’Or at Cannes 2026. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Emy Mirel Ivașcă.
Friday, September 11
Tibo Pinsard coordinates a second free masterclass, Directing Actors for Film, beginning at 18:00.
The Fiction 3 screening programme begins at 19:30.
Saturday, September 12
The festival concludes with Fiction 4, beginning at 19:30. The programme includes the Academy Award-winning Two People Exchanging Saliva.
Tickets and Access
Tickets cost 30 lei for each screening programme, while a festival pass costs 190 lei.
Admission to the Romanian Film Evening and the two masterclasses is free, based on a zero-value ticket. Tickets and festival passes are available through the official Eventbook page, at Eventbook partner locations and at the cinema beginning 30 minutes before each screening.
Cinema Muzeul Țăranului – Studioul Horia Bernea is located within the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant complex. Access to the cinema is from 3 Monetăriei Street.
