Cittador International Film Festival: Where Quality and Creativity Conquer the Screen
The Cittador International Film Festival (CIFF) sees itself as a platform for independent films and was launched in 2022 by filmmakers Ana Bilić and Danilo Wimmer. The festival, which takes place annually in December at the Lugner Kino in Vienna, offers an exciting event that presents national and international independent films in all their diversity. With a celebratory awards ceremony and a meet-and-greet, the festival creates a space for exchange between filmmakers and audiences.
Our mission is to select and honor the best independent films – based solely on their quality. CIFF is truly independent in its approach and free from commercial constraints: we curate films based solely on artistic and content criteria. Each work is carefully examined by our CIFF jury, and award-winning films also receive a public jury statement to underline the importance and uniqueness of the selection.
The festival places particular emphasis on making the perspectives and visions of the filmmakers visible. Through interviews conducted when the film is submitted and published in the film festival catalogue, CIFF gives all selected artists – regardless of an award – the opportunity to share their thoughts. In addition, video interviews with filmmakers and team members are created as part of the festival and published on the website as part of the “Cittador’s Talks” series.
With a wide range of genres, an uncompromising commitment to quality and an open dialogue between audiences and filmmakers, CIFF is a unique place where the passion for independent cinema is celebrated. We create a stage for stories that need to be told and voices that deserve to be heard.
