Get out the fake blood and shades. Time to jump into parallel worlds where things just aren’t quite the same. Which is another way of saying you should take in some screenings at the SLASH film festival…
- A banquet for fans of genre films
- From science fiction to the surreal
- Most films shown in the original English
- Festival is about the fun as much as the art
- 2026 dates: Sept 23 – Oct 4
- Book a city tour experience* for your Vienna stay
- See also:
A festival of fantastic films
We’re not talking fantastic as in amazing (though that may be true, too).
When the SLASH festival says it’s all about fantastic films, it’s the other meaning of the word. So movies that take you out of our reality and into stranger, more magical worlds…horror, fantasy, science fiction, surrealism…often films that don’t always get much time in conventional cinema showings.
Consider it a pick and mix from the (sometimes darker) imaginations of the cinematic world.
A mix that might throw out a My Own Private Idaho, but also a Meatball Machine Kodoku. A Raiders of the Lost Ark or an Attack of the Lederhosen Zombies. New releases or golden oldies.
One year, for example, included two world premieres and an 11-film retrospective for the “found footage horror” genre (think The Blair Witch Project).
(Action film KILL directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat featured back in 2024; press photo courtesy of SLASH)
Dozens of films typically get showings: most of them in English or in the original language with English subtitles.
Look for the full programme on the SLASH website and relevant abbreviations: OV (in original language), OmU (ditto with subtitles), OmeU (ditto with English subtitles), eOV (in the original English).
Like any self-respecting film festival, SLASH has a surrounding programme of events, too, with a touch more joy and flair than many of its cousins.
You might see star guests (Nicholas Cage once attended) or join the opening and closing parties, for example.
Incidentally, the same folk also usually host a mini-festival in late spring or early summer and make occasional guest appearances with selected films at other events. So keep your eye open for the SLASH logo.
2026 dates & tickets
The 2026 festival runs from September 23rd to October 4th.
You can normally buy ticket packages online from the SLASH website or individual tickets from selected cinema box offices (once available).
How to get there
The main cinemas are usually:
- The METRO Kinokulturhaus (Johannesgasse 4, 1010 Vienna)
- Filmcasino (Margaretenstraße 78, 1050 Vienna)
- Gartenbaukino (Parkring 12, 1010 Vienna)
- Admiral Kino (Burggasse 119, 1070 Vienna)