The first 'Fest', subtitled 'Brave New World', opened on January 9, 1971, at the House of Syndicate, with a screening of Robert Altman's film 'MASH'. Conceived as an annual roundup of the best films of the season, the International Film Festival 'Fest' has grown into one of the most significant film events and has become one of the main cultural events in the country, with many young generations growing up with it. What distinguished it in all previous years was the fact that it was open to all cinemas of the world, and to all relevant authors, as well as films that will not be found in cinema repertoire. Numerous world-renowned actors and directors who were guests of the festival have been written into its history: Marcello Mastroianni, Harvey Keitel, Liv Ullmann, Bernardo Bertolucci, Sofia Loren, Robert De Niro, Antonioni, Johnny Depp, Miloš Forman, Catherine Deneuve, Wim Wenders, Abbas Kiarostami, Hanna Schygulla, Rafelson, Schlöndorff, Russell, and many others. Since its inception, 'Fest' has always had a main program and several accompanying programs, which often exceeded the label of 'accompanying' with their quality. The 'accompanying' also included numerous publications, exhibitions, symposiums that were held during the festival. In 2015, 'Fest' becomes a true competitive festival with four competitive selections: Main Competition Program - international selection, Serbian Film Program - national selection, Borders Program - subversive and controversial films and films from the region competing for the Nebojša Đukelić Award. Another innovation is the introduction of the Belgrade Victor Award for outstanding contribution to the art of film, as well as the Belgrade Victor Award for previous achievements.

You can find the program on the organizer's website: www.fest.rs, www.arenacineplex.com