The Viennale which took place for the first time in 1960 is one of the oldest and best-known festivals in the German-speaking world. It takes place every October in Vienna and shows a carefully picked selection of films from all over the world. Aside from its focus on the newest feature films of every genre and structural form imaginable, the festival gives particular attention to documentary films, international short films, as well as experimental works and crossover films.

The Viennale is a non-competitive film festival acknowledged by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (IFFA). The festival program mainly consists of films/videos participating by invitation.  Therefore, please do not send in unsolicited preview tapes. The conclusion of the festival sees the awarding of the FIPRESCI Award of the international Film Critics' Association, the Vienna Film Award of the City of Vienna, plus an award by the DER STANDARD Readers' Jury.