The film festival on Vienna's Rathausplatz celebrates its 35th birthday with a new concept

The 35th Film Festival on Vienna's Rathausplatz will present itself in a new guise in 2025: with revised architecture, a clearly structured weekly program and a diverse supporting program, the festival is setting new accents. The event architecture has been fundamentally revised to create more openness and a more welcoming atmosphere. Five large "Skyliners" offer protection from the sun and rain, while 50 new "Vienas" - iconic Viennese street furniture - provide additional seating. The previous grandstand has been removed, creating flowing transitions between the cinema and catering areas.

For the first time, the film program follows a clear weekly schedule:

  • Monday: Classical music with orchestral works and opera productions

  • Tuesday & Wednesday: operetta, musical, ballet, jazz, world music, Austropop and rock

  • Thursday to Saturday: Great voices and current pop productions

  • Sunday: Top-class operas in cooperation with the Vienna State Opera

The program includes highlights such as Puccini's La Bohème with Anna Netrebko, Verdi's Macbeth from the Salzburg Festival, Billie Eilish - Live at the O2 and Bruce Springsteen for the 50th anniversary of Born To Run.

The film festival in a unique setting© Stadt Wien Marketing / Johannes Wiedl

The film festival in a unique setting© Stadt Wien Marketing / Johannes Wiedl

In addition to the evening film screenings, the festival offers a varied supporting program:

  • Fridays: "Mein SportPlatz" for children from 2 to 5 pm and the Children's Opera Festival from 5 pm

  • Sundays: Jazz Brunch from 12 to 2 pm

  • Additional events: choir evenings, songwriter sessions and sunset beats with live DJs

The festival takes place from June 28 to August 31, 2025 on Vienna's Rathausplatz. Admission is free, the festival is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight, with films starting at dusk.

June 28 to August 31, 2025

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