The Pula Film Festival, held annually in late July, is one of the more unusual film events anywhere. Screenings take place inside the Roman amphitheatre, where audiences of several thousand sit on the ancient stone tiers to watch films under the open sky. The setting transforms even mediocre films into events; a good film in this context becomes genuinely memorable.
The festival traditionally focuses on Croatian cinema, but has expanded to include international features and retrospectives. Smaller screenings also take place in indoor venues around the city. Check the festival programme (usually released in June) for specific dates and line-ups. Even without a festival booking, the amphitheatre hosts film and concert events throughout the summer season.