Student Games Festival Returns to Warsaw

5 October 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Student Games Festival Warsaw returns 8-9 October at the Palace of Culture and Science, showcasing 22 student games with free entry (pre-registration required).

Student Games Festival Warsaw returns on 8 and 9 October to the Palace of Culture and Science, bringing young creators and industry professionals from around the world. Entry is free but requires prior registration.

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Student Games Festival Warsaw: What’s on offer

The two-day festival opens on Thursday, 8 October at 11:00. Organisers will present 22 student productions chosen from 192 submissions sent from 32 countries. Visitors can play the nominated games and speak directly with their authors. The programme mixes lectures, workshops, panels and presentations across both days.

Who will be there and why it matters

Speakers and guests include Rami Ismail, a familiar face on the independent games scene, and Jakub Dvorský of Amanita Design. The organisers also list meetings connected to titles such as “The Blood of Dawnwalker”, “Dying Light” and the “Wiedźmin” series. Representatives from major studios and companies will attend, offering visitors a chance to meet recruiters and makers in person.

Career support and industry links

The festival includes a dedicated CV and Portfolio Zone. Students and early-career creators can consult experts from Larian, Elsewhere Entertainment, Bloober Team, GOG and 11 bit studios. The conference programme grew from cooperation with 12 student clubs. Sessions will cover skills needed on the job market, ways to finance a production, and the relationship between universities and the games industry.

Cross-border collaboration and exhibition

This edition features a Polish–Czech Forum of Education and Video Game Culture. An interactive exhibition, “Infinite Universes”, will showcase the history and achievements of the Czech games sector. Organisers say they want to extend this model and invite other countries to participate in future editions.

The event culminates with the Best Student Game Awards gala on 9 October at 18:00. Prizes will go to winners in four categories, and Amnesty International will award a special mention for a game that addresses human rights. After the gala, the Czech duo DVA will perform live.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you plan to attend, register in advance because entry is free but limited. Bring a digital or printed portfolio for the CV and Portfolio Zone; recruiters from international and Polish studios will review materials on site. If you are an expat seeking work in Poland, be aware that practical steps often involve local paperwork: a PESEL (national ID number) helps with formal contracts, ZUS refers to social security contributions, and NFZ covers public health insurance. These systems affect employment and self-employed contracts, so ask employers and HR teams about required documents before accepting offers.

Student Games Festival is organised by Fundacja Kultura Interaktywna. The City of Warsaw and the Mazovian Voivodeship co-organise the event, and the festival receives co-financing from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The presence of international guests and major studios makes the festival a practical gateway for students and newcomers to the European games market.

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