SEEfest Film Festival Announces 2026 Lineup With 'Catane' And More

The 21st annual South East European Film Festival will showcase a diverse slate of fiction and documentary films from across the region.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A minimalist, abstract illustration in the style of Saul Bass, featuring sharp, geometric shapes and silhouettes in high-contrast colors like red and white, conceptually representing the diverse lineup of films and documentaries at the 2026 SEEfest film festival.The 2026 SEEfest film festival celebrates the bold creativity and social relevance of cinema from South and Eastern Europe.Los Angeles Today

The South East European Film Festival (SEEfest) has announced its 2026 lineup, including the feature film 'Catane,' a Romanian comedy-romance described as 'a modern-day fairytale,' as well as other highlights like the Croatian drama 'Honey Bunny,' the Slovenian fantasy film 'Fantasy,' and the documentary 'Militantropos' about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The festival will run from April 29 to May 6 in Los Angeles.

Why it matters

SEEfest is one of the leading festivals showcasing cinema from South and Eastern Europe in the United States, providing a platform for diverse stories and perspectives from the region that may not otherwise reach American audiences. The 2026 lineup features a mix of acclaimed titles that have found success on the international festival circuit, as well as lesser-known gems that offer a window into the vibrant filmmaking communities of countries like Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

The details

The festival will open with Ioana Mischie's feature debut 'Catane,' a Romanian comedy-romance set in a remote village where residents band together to respond to a local inquiry. Other highlights include the Croatian drama 'Honey Bunny' about a family's toxic dynamics, the Slovenian fantasy film 'Fantasy' exploring gender and self-discovery, and the documentary 'Militantropos' which captures the human impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. SEEfest will also showcase a robust lineup of short films and documentaries from across the region.

  • The 21st annual South East European Film Festival (SEEfest) will run from April 29 to May 6, 2026 in Los Angeles.
  • The festival will open on April 29, 2026 with the Romanian film 'Catane.'

The players

Vera Mijojlić

Journalist and entrepreneur who founded the SEEfest festival in 2006 to bring the best of South and Eastern European cinema to the U.S.

Irina Maleeva

Bulgarian American actress and entertainer who serves as the festival's honorary chair.

Ioana Mischie

Director of the opening night film 'Catane,' a Romanian comedy-romance.

Igor Jelinović

Director of the Croatian drama 'Honey Bunny.'

Kukla

Slovenian director of the fantasy film 'Fantasy.'

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The takeaway

The diverse lineup of films at the 2026 SEEfest festival showcases the vibrant and varied cinematic voices emerging from South and Eastern Europe, offering American audiences a chance to discover stories and perspectives that expand beyond the Hollywood mainstream.