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Warsaw Film Festival 2026: "What Belongs to Others" wins the Warsaw Grand Prix

Short answer: "What Belongs to Others" (Cudze Rzeczy), directed by Grzegorz Dębowski, won the Warsaw Grand Prix at the 42nd Warsaw Film Festival, which closed on 18 October 2026.

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The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw lit up at night

Photo: Illwill, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0). The Palace of Culture and Science, home to the Kinoteka cinema, one of the festival venues.

The 42nd edition of the Warsaw Film Festival wrapped up on Sunday, 18 October, after ten days of premieres across the Polish capital. The international jury awarded the Warsaw Grand Prix, the festival's top honour, to "What Belongs to Others" (Cudze Rzeczy), a Polish drama directed by Grzegorz Dębowski.

The 2026 winners

The full list of the main awards announced at the closing of the 42nd edition:

  • Warsaw Grand Prix: "What Belongs to Others" (Cudze Rzeczy), directed by Grzegorz Dębowski (Poland, 2026)
  • Best Director: Cai Chengjie for "Suzhou Quartet"
  • FIPRESCI Prize (international film critics): "Through the Wall" (Przez ścianę), directed by Maciej Sobieszczański (Poland, 2026)
  • Ecumenical Jury Prize: "The Child" (Bērns), directed by Linda Olte (Latvia/Lithuania, 2026)

About the festival

The Warsaw Film Festival is the capital's leading international film event, screening new features, documentaries and shorts from Poland and around the world each October. Screenings take place in cinemas across central Warsaw, including the Kinoteka cinema in the Palace of Culture and Science, and most international films are shown with English subtitles, which makes the festival one of the most expat-friendly cultural events of the autumn.

The festival's programme spans international competition, Polish premieres, documentary strands and free screenings, and tickets for individual screenings are sold through the festival's website and venue box offices.

Planning for the 43rd edition

The Warsaw Film Festival is an annual event held in October. Dates for the 43rd edition will be announced on the festival's official website, wff.pl, where the full 2026 programme and winner list remain available.

warsaw film festival cinema awards

FAQ

When was the 42nd Warsaw Film Festival held?

It ran from 9 to 18 October 2026, with the winners announced at the closing.

Which film won the Warsaw Grand Prix?

"What Belongs to Others" (Cudze Rzeczy), a Polish drama directed by Grzegorz Dębowski, won the festival's top prize.

Where does the Warsaw Film Festival take place?

Screenings are held in cinemas across central Warsaw, including the Kinoteka cinema in the Palace of Culture and Science.

Sources