Kraków Silent Film Festival, 12–15 November: live music, including London-based Magda Drozd

From 12 to 15 November 2026, Kraków hosts the 27th Silent Film Festival. The organisers describe it as Poland's oldest showcase of silent films accompanied by live music. This year's theme is KONTINUUM. It is meant to show that the history of cinema is a cycle of recurring inspiration, with older and contemporary film in constant dialogue.

Opening

The first screening takes place on Thursday 12 November at 6pm. It is the Polish film "Ludzie bez jutra", long considered lost. It was found in German archives by Kamil Stepan and Jerzy Maśnicki. The band Hańba! will perform live music.

The official opening is scheduled for 8.45pm. The opening film is "The Cameraman" starring Buster Keaton, with music from the band hoshii, founded by saxophonist Kuba Więcek.

Programme for the following days

On Friday there are two horror films: "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Jean Epstein (music by the trio Eta Hox x Pruski x Kateryna Ziabliuk) and "Destiny" by Fritz Lang, accompanied by the duo Zima Stulecia.

Saturday has three screenings with live music:

• a set of short films by Alice Guy, the first known woman film director (Jagodna performs),
• "Intolerance" by D. W. Griffith (Fraś Vinci Duo),
• "The Adventures of Prince Achmed" by Lotte Reiniger, regarded as the oldest surviving feature-length animation (Magda Drozd performs).

Magda Drozd is a composer, violinist and sound artist who lives in London and Zurich. Her music combines Polish folk with ambient sounds.

On Sunday the day opens with "The Student of Prague", with music by ARS LATRANS Orchestra. It is followed by Walter Ruttmann's "Berlin: Symphony of a Metropolis" (La Giang performs). The festival closes with a set of three works of French avant-garde cinema: "Ballet Mécanique" by Fernand Léger, "À propos de Nice" by Jean Vigo and "The Smiling Madame Beudet" by Germaine Dulac. Irish artist Lullahush plays at the close.

Events for young audiences

Two special events take place at Kino Pod Baranami. On Saturday, secondary school and university students will watch the silent comedy "The General" starring Buster Keaton, with a talk and discussion. On Sunday there is a screening for pre-school children.

What this means for you

The festival takes place in Poland, but its programme has a British angle: Magda Drozd lives in London, and Lullahush's music is linked to Ireland. Check programme details and tickets with the organisers.