About festival
International Sound & Film Music Festival (ISFMF) is one of the three largest and most important sound and film music festivals in the world.
The mission of the International Sound & Film Music Festival (ISFMF) is to promote awareness of the importance of music and sound as irreplaceable elements of film. The festival also provides visibility to audiovisual professions who work in the field of composing music, sound design and sound mixing.
Born from the small family circle of today’s Artistic Director Ozren K. Glaser, Tena Glaser and Željko Glaser, later strengthened by the arrival of the Executive Director Marijana Knezoci, ISFMF grew year by year, in 2025 celebrates its 13th anniversary.
The first decade of the ISFMF was marked by the attendance of some of the biggest names of the film and music showbusiness who contributed to the festival in the form of masterclasses, concerts, joining the Artistic Board and especially friendships that last to this day.
And truly, no event has ever brought more Oscar, BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe winners to Croatia than ISFMF over the past years. The festival’s official program includes concerts of film music, panels and seminars, workshops, film market and parties and it takes place in October.
ISFMF 2025 in Varaždin
The official festival program will take place in Varaždin from October 2–6, 2025, bringing unique content both for the industry and the public. This year, the festival will feature screenings, open talks with authors, the prestigious Crystal Pine Awarding ceremony, and spectacular music performances.
For the first time, ISFMF will take place in the beautiful city of Varaždin, a place known for its rich cultural heritage and artistic spirit.
Varaždin is also home to part of the Film & Media Sound Academy, an educational initiative launched by ISFMF in collaboration with its partners. This synergy further strengthens the festival’s mission to celebrate and support the incredible talent that shapes the world of film music and sound design.
Here, ISFMF continues to be an essential gathering place for industry professionals, offering them the opportunity to network and connect with audiences in an authentic and welcoming environment. We believe in the power of storytelling through sound and music – how it transcends borders and unites cultures. More than just a festival, ISFMF is a community – one that thrives on creativity, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas.
POGRAM & ENTRY
The official festival program is announced.
Industry professionals are required an accreditation. Accredited industry guests have free access to all festival programs. If you don’t have an accreditation yet, apply through the Accreditation request form.
HOW TO GET TO VARAŽDIN
Varaždin is located approximately 80 km north of Zagreb and is easily accessible by car, bus, or train. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, depending on the mode of transportation.
For accredited guests and festival participants, ISFMF will organize one group transfer from Zagreb to Varaždin on October 2 & 3, and a return transfer from Varaždin to Zagreb on October 6.
Further details and registration for the transfer will be provided to all accredited guests in advance.
Departure from Zagreb Airport on OCT 2 and OCT 3 at 3pm
Departure from Varaždin to Zagreb Airport on OCT 6 at 6 am. Pick up location TBA.
WHERE TO STAY
Varaždin is positioned on the crossroads of the historical regions of Styria, Međimurje, Zagorje and upper Drava Valley, without belonging to any of these regional cultural circles. Varaždin is, simply, Varaždin; a special micro-region with its own, Varaždin identity, traditions and cultural patterns. Varaždin has always been a city open to the world.
Inform the hotel you are staying for the International Sound & Film Music Festival.
Inform the hotel you are staying for the International Sound & Film Music Festival.
WHAT TO DO IN VARAŽDIN
Varaždin has always been a city open to the world. The greatest tourist value of Varaždin is its exceptional monumental and artistic heritage gathered in one of the best preserved and richest Baroque urban units, not only in Croatia but also in the wider region. Find out about the historic core, The Old Town, palaces, museums. For more information visit the official pages of Varaždin Tourst Board
Samobor
ISFMF: Mission possible
Over the past three years, the International Sound & Film Music Festival (ISFMF) has proudly called the charming city of Samobor its home. During this time, the festival welcomed an array of distinguished guests from around the world, including Academy Award winners and nominees who expressed genuine admiration for the city’s beauty, hospitality, and vibrant cultural spirit.
Among the notable visitors were Oscar-winning and nominated artists such as Mark Ulano, Stephen Warbeck, Ciarán Hinds, Stephen Price, Christopher Benstead, Stuart Wilson, and Wayne Pashley.
This year, from October 10 to 12, 2025, Samobor will host a special event celebrating film music – ISFMF: Mission Possible. Program.
Pula
Beside the official program, ISFMF holds exclusive events throughout the year in unique places.
ISFMF brings some of the World’s best cinematography achievements on stage at the breathtaking Arena in Pula.
Epic Films, Legendary Sound: Celebrating Cinematic Masterpieces and Honoring Industry Icons with the Crystal Pine Lifetime Achievement Award.
Gladiator – Once in a Lifetime was a unique and spectacular event held in Pula in 2022, in the 2000-year-old Arena, the largest completely preserved amphitheater from the Roman Empire, in front of a full auditorium. The Pula Arena thus served as a unique stage for the screening of the audiovisual masterpiece: Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, and the awarding of the Crystal Pine Award for Lifetime Achievement to one of the greatest sound designers, Scott Millan, winner of four Oscars®, one of which he received for Gladiator.
Later, in 2023, the 20th anniversary of the finale of the greatest trilogy in the history of film – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by Peter Jackson was marked spectacularly. Not much needs to be said about this cinematic miracle. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to composer Howard Shore and sound designer Michael Minkler, both three-time Oscar® winners with over 40 years of successful careers. Mark Ulano, who received his Oscar® no less for James Cameron’s Titanic, was also a guest of this special event.
TICKETS
Tickets for the exclusive events in the Pula Arena are available on eventim.hr and authorized Eventim sales points.
WHERE TO STAY
Pula is the largest town on the Istrian peninsula and it offers a diversity of attractions to lovers of culture. Start your trip by booking your accommodation via ISFMF partners and discover this mediterranen town, the Istrian gastronomy and lifestyle.
Relais & Chateaux Wine Hotel & Winery in Bale
Beautiful hotel in an excellent location.
WHAT TO DO IN PULA AND ISTRIA
Istria and Pula will surprise you with the traditional cuisine, the high-quality wines and olive-oils. Istria is an ideal destination for gastronomical challenges and exploring the gourmet offer, but also to enjoy already known tastes and smells. Discover the high-quality products such wines Vina Laguna – Festigia, Damjanić, Arman Marijan Wines, Fakin, Ghira; olive-oils such as Ipša, Chiavalon, Oio Vivo, Mate Olive Oil, Oliveri, Monte Rosso. Visit Aura and Karlić tartufi. Indulge yourself to the great hospitality at the restuarants Ribarska Koliba in Pula and La Puntulina in Rovinj.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
We are always looking for people to help out in any way they can.
If you feel you can help, please let us know. Volunteering at ISFMF will be a great way to meet professionals from the film industry, gain experience in various fields of production of events (logistics, staging, hosting industry guests, providing information), but also to have fun. Feel free to contact us if you have any further question and apply for this unique experience.
