Nestled in the heart of the Elaphiti archipelago, Lopud once again affirms in 2026 its role as an island where art naturally thrives in a Mediterranean setting. Through its three established festivals, the Ponta Lopud Film Festival, the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival and Ponta Lopud Book Bridge, this enchanting corner of the Adriatic will once again gather filmmakers, musicians and writers from Croatia, the region and across the globe, creating a unique focal point for cultural dialogue.

The season opens in June with the Ponta Lopud Film Festival, which will host filmmakers and industry professionals for the sixth time from June 25 to 28. Through masterclasses led by renowned film artists, workshops and open-air screenings at attractive locations across Lopud, the festival provides a space for learning, professional networking and creative growth. Every conversation, every story presented and every new encounter contributes to a deeper understanding of cinematic art and sparks ideas that will shape regional cinema in the years ahead. Promising young filmmakers will once again have the opportunity to take part in the festival and learn from internationally acclaimed names, with further details to be announced in the coming period.

Ponta Lopud Film Festival

“Lopud is not just an island, but a state of mind. When art meets such nature and such people, something happens that is difficult to describe in words and even harder to forget. That is precisely the essence of what we are building through the Ponta Lopud Creative Platform, not merely programs and festivals, but experiences that leave a lasting mark. Each year we are reminded that the most valuable things we take away from the island are those that cannot be packed into a suitcase,” said Tilda Grossel Bogdanović, founder of the Ponta Lopud Creative Platform.

Tilda Grossel Bogdanovic

From August 27 to 29, Lopud will once again resonate with jazz for the fourth consecutive year. In its idyllic Mediterranean setting, the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival will create a special intimacy between performers and audiences who surrender to every note. Since its inception, the festival has brought together world-renowned jazz legends alongside young professional musicians, who will again have the opportunity to earn their place through an upcoming online audition.

Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival

“The Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival functions as a focused mentoring residency in which young professional musicians gain direct access to world-class artists, participate in masterclasses and perform in intimate jam sessions that foster artistic growth and accelerate professional development beyond the usual festival format. By connecting young regional and international professionals with rotating resident jazz masters and distinguished international mentors in an inspiring, multicultural environment, the festival encourages the creation of lasting professional networks, the development of collaborative projects and the acquisition of valuable insight into the music industry – all crucial for long-term career advancement,” emphasized Thana Alexa, Artistic Director of the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival.

Thana Alexa

The literary program follows in autumn with the Ponta Lopud Book Bridge festival, which will hold its third edition from September 17 to 19, bringing together renowned authors, scholars, university professors, critics and literature enthusiasts. Through conversations, panels and book presentations, the festival builds bridges between diverse literary traditions and fresh, exciting voices, transforming Lopud into a space for reflection and creative exchange where every page opens new possibilities. Writer and Croatian language professor Staša Aras, who has been part of the Book Bridge program since its inception, assumes the role of Artistic Director this year:

“In September, Lopud offers us an experience of beauty and encounter, while allowing us to focus on the themes of stories and the act of storytelling itself – through author presentations and moderated discussions, as well as by encouraging and supporting those who wish to embark on the adventure of literary creation. Contemporary practices of writing and criticism pose challenges to both authors and readers, and Book Bridge opens up current social, technological and philosophical themes, identifies critical issues and, through the exchange of experiences, seeks to strengthen creativity,” she said.

Staša Aras

The three festivals, each with its own distinctive character, will once again confirm Lopud as an essential destination for cultural encounters. Beyond the eager anticipation of new editions lies something equally valuable – the building of a community that breathes through art. This year, too, Lopud will enrich the film, music and literary scenes, marking and preserving moments that endure long after the festivals conclude.