Under this year’s theme, “Bring It Back! Humanography,” the festival explores human stories, emotions, and personal experiences through the art of cinema.

For this year’s edition, the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) continues its role as an official partner of TIFF.

The festival’s competition program features debut fiction films and documentaries, while the short-film competition is divided into the categories Live Action, Animation, Documentary, Video Art & Experimental, Student Films, Balkan Shorts, and In Albanian Shorts.

Beyond the competition program, the PANORAMA section features thematic programs including Generations, New World, Divergent Minds, Parade, and AI 3.0, which explores new forms of audiovisual storytelling.

A major highlight of the festival is RetrospecTIFF, dedicated to Italian director Luchino Visconti. Audiences will have the opportunity to watch three of his acclaimed films: “Ossessione” (1943), “Rocco e i suoi fratelli” (1960), and “L’innocente” (1976).

TIFF is also continuing its youth-focused programming through KIDs & TEENs, featuring curated screenings for children and teenagers, along with educational activities and audience voting.

Following the opening ceremony, TIFF will officially begin with the Albanian premiere of “Mother,” directed by North Macedonian filmmaker Teona Strugar Mitevska. The film, which premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, tells the story of the nun who became the iconic religious figure Mother Teresa.

The special screenings program will also feature “Shame and Money” by Visar Morina, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, the French documentary “The Bow and the Brush,” and “Live a Little” by Fanny Ovesen.

A dedicated section, “Made In ALBANIAn,” will spotlight Albanian cinema, featuring national premieres of new films produced in Albania and Kosovo in the Albanian language.

The festival will close with “Mimoza llastica,” the 1973 Albanian classic directed by Xhanfise Keko. The film has been restored in 4K in cooperation with the Albanian National Film Center (AQSHF) and will be presented as the world premiere of its restored version.

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