Kyiv International Short Film Festival

Київський міжнародний фестиваль короткометражних фільмів

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Arts & CultureKyiv
Dates17–23 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration7 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsKISFF is a fully independent
Language["uk"]Currency: UAH
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Kyiv International Short Film Festival in Kyiv

The Kyiv International Short Film Festival, abbreviated KISFF, is an independent non-profit event that has introduced Kyiv audiences to new international and Ukrainian short films since its first edition in spring 2012. The program pairs competitive screenings with retrospectives and industry meetings, giving emerging directors a platform outside feature-length production.

The Kyiv International Short Film Festival began as an idea in 2011, when a small group of organizers decided Ukraine needed a dedicated home for short filmmaking, a format too often squeezed between features at bigger festivals.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

KISFF is a fully independent, non-governmental festival that kept running annually even after Russia's 2022 invasion disrupted Ukraine's cultural calendar

02

The mystery stays covered

Its dual-track format, separate international and Ukrainian national competitions judged by visiting directors, producers, and filmmakers, lets Kyiv audiences see festival-circuit shorts alongside homegrown work addressing war, displacement, and everyday survival

03

The city starts moving

In 2022 the festival organized solidarity screenings abroad, asking partner cities to show Ukrainian shorts and raise humanitarian funds, while also calling for a boycott of Russian film submissions, turning a modest short-film showcase into a small act of cultural diplomacy during wartime

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's core tradition is its split national and international competition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

echoing how young Ukrainian filmmakers have used the short form to route around the capital costs of feature production

The sacred route

Living ritual

alongside a jury tradition of awarding a Special Mention beyond the standard categories

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

17–23 September 2026

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Casual indoor cinema wear; Kyiv evenings can be cool, so layers help, and no special dress is expected for director talks or industry mixers.

Safety

At Kyiv International Short Film Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Kyiv you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["uk"] · UAH

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map50.45 N, 30.52 EOpen in Google Maps

Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

Nearest airportIEV — Ihor Sikorsky Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany)
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Kyiv you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Kyiv via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Kyiv, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual indoor cinema wear; Kyiv evenings can be cool, so layers help, and no special dress is expected for director talks or industry mixers.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Ukraine and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Kyiv International Short Film Festival?

Kyiv International Short Film Festival is listed for 17–23 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Kyiv International Short Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Kyiv, Ukraine. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

7 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLkisff.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates17–23 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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