The sixth edition of the Krafft Actors Film Festival with an expanded industry programme
After five successful editions in Kranj, the Krafft Actors Film Festival is moving to Ljubljana. The sixth edition will take place in the Slovenian capital for the first time, marking the beginning of a new phase for the festival with an even stronger focus on professional development, international exchange and the advancement of acting in film.
Krafft is an international festival dedicated to the in-depth exploration of acting for film. It is built on the understanding of the actor as a central creative force of cinematic storytelling and an essential contributor to audiovisual production. In this new phase, the festival further sharpens that focus.
At the same time, we are retiring the former name Kranj Actors Film Festival and continuing simply as the Krafft Actors Film Festival. Moving to Ljubljana will make the festival more accessible, strengthen its connection with national institutions, and open new opportunities for collaboration with the international film community.
This shift is also reflected in the programme.
“As a festival, Krafft was conceived from the beginning as a meeting point for actors, filmmakers and film professionals. With this year’s programme renewal we are sharpening that focus even further – the festival is increasingly becoming a space for in-depth professional dialogue, education and international exchange,” says Maja Sever, the festival’s Programme Director.
The industry programme, prepared by the Slovenian Actors Guild (DSI), will take centre stage. It will include workshops, masterclasses, professional talks and thematic discussions aimed at actors and the wider film community. We are also planning to host three internationally renowned casting directors and a special guest of the festival, with further details to be announced in the coming months.
The festival in two phases
This year’s edition will unfold in two phases.
The first part will take place in summer, when an intensive five-day acting workshop based on the method of Lee Strasberg will be held at the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television (AGRFT) in Ljubljana from 11 to 15 July 2026.
The main festival programme will follow in early autumn, from 9 to 20 September 2026, when the festival will present screenings, discussions and the central part of the industry programme in collaboration with AGRFT and the Slovenian Cinematheque.
A major industry programme led by the Strasberg Method workshop
At the heart of this year’s industry programme is a five-day acting workshop based on the Lee Strasberg‘s Method , widely regarded as one of the most influential approaches to acting in the history of film and theatre.
The workshop will be led by David Lee Strasberg, son of the legendary acting teacher Lee Strasberg and Creative Director of the renowned Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, together with actor and teacher Alani iLongwe.
The programme combines intensive scene work, script analysis, character development and on-camera performance. Participants will also work with core elements of the Strasberg Method, including relaxation and sensory exercises as well as techniques involving emotional memory.
Through this intensive process, participants will develop greater concentration, emotional availability and precision in their acting work.
The workshop will conclude with an open masterclass by David Lee Strasberg, where participants will present their scenes to an audience.
Participation is limited to 16 actors, and applications will open on Monday, 16 March. >> More information and application
Film programme as a space for analysing acting
In line with the festival’s renewed concept, this year’s film programme will no longer be competitive. Instead, the selected films will serve primarily as reference and pedagogical material, accompanied by professional discussions and analyses of acting approaches.
In this way, film screenings will be directly connected to the industry programme, offering a platform for reflection on acting methods, interpretation and the development of screen acting in contemporary cinema.