The city of Korçë is set to become one of the most vibrant centers of contemporary visual culture this June as the Gjon Mili Video Art Festival opens its 2026 edition under the intriguing theme: “Are You Dreaming?”
Organized by AGORA Art Center and curated by Yllka Gjollesha, with assistant curator Sisi Ndini, the festival will unfold across three major artistic destinations throughout June: Korçë, Dhërmi, and Manhattan, New York. The artistic journey begins in Korçë, Albania’s renowned city of culture and serenades, where audiences will experience an ambitious program of video art, experimental cinema, documentaries, audiovisual performances, and virtual reality installations from June 13 to June 15, 2026.
This year’s edition brings together artists and filmmakers from around the world, transforming the festival into an international platform for artistic dialogue, experimentation, and contemporary moving image culture.
The opening day, June 13, begins at GAD Gallery with exhibitions and screenings featuring works from South Korea, the Netherlands, Canada, China, Australia, Italy, the United States, Germany, Belgium, France, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Visitors will encounter short films, video art installations, and experimental visual works exploring themes of memory, identity, technology, and the human condition.
One of the highlights of the first day will be the VR-STATION program, developed in collaboration with Minus Art Space, where audiences will be invited to experience immersive virtual reality projects. This section of the festival expands the cinematic experience beyond the traditional screen, allowing viewers to enter directly into the visual and emotional space of the artwork.
The program continues at the Gjon Mili Museum with screenings of international video art and documentary works, while the evening culminates at the Andon Zako Çajupi Theater with the special documentary screening of “DEZO HOFFMANN – PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE BEATLES,” dedicated to the legendary photographer closely associated with the iconic band. The evening will also feature presentations of contemporary Albanian works, including “The Champ” by Ermir Keta, “Antimuzeu” by Renis Hyka, and “PA ZË (Soundless)” by Gentian Gjikopulli.
The second day of the festival focuses on artist talks, presentations, and new forms of visual storytelling. At GAD Gallery, audiences will engage in conversations with artists and curators, while artist Ledia Kostandini will present her project “Nën qyteti” (“Under the City”). Screenings throughout the day will continue with works from Brazil, the United States, Slovenia, Germany, Monaco, and Montenegro.
In the evening, the Andon Zako Çajupi Theater will host another special screening program featuring Albanian films such as “SOS” by Anita Morina and “Kecka” by Fatjet Bajrami. The artistic atmosphere will be enriched further by a classical guitar performance by Nicola Montella, followed by a cocktail reception bringing together artists, guests, and audiences.
The third and final day in Korçë is dedicated to reflection, continuity, and cultural heritage. The festival program will continue in LOOP format at GAD Gallery, allowing audiences to revisit selected works throughout the day. Meanwhile, festival participants and organizers will travel to the historic village of Vithkuq for a retreat and guided exploration of the region’s historic churches and cultural landscape.
Festival organizers emphasize that the Gjon Mili Video Art Festival is more than a series of screenings and exhibitions. It is conceived as a cultural experience connecting contemporary art with architecture, urban memory, local history, and everyday life. For this reason, visitors are encouraged not only to attend the festival events, but also to explore Korçë itself — its museums, the Old Bazaar, and the unique atmosphere that has long made the city one of Albania’s cultural capitals.
Following the Korçë edition, the festival will continue in Dhërmi from June 18 to June 20 with open-air screenings and performances along the Albanian Riviera, before concluding in Manhattan, New York, from June 27 to June 29 with special screenings and live artistic events.
With its 2026 theme, “Are You Dreaming?”, the Gjon Mili Video Art Festival promises an immersive experience where reality, imagination, memory, and technology intersect, transforming Korçë into an international meeting point for contemporary visual expression and experimental cinema.