by croatiaweek
May 19, 2026
in
Entertainment
VARAŽDIN, 19 May 2026 – British actor Simon Pegg, best known to global audiences for his role as Benji Dunn in the Mission: Impossible film series, is set to visit Croatia for the first time later this month.
Pegg will be among the main guests at the International Sound & Film Music Festival (ISFMF), which takes place in Varaždin from 21 to 24 May.
The festival is regarded as the world’s largest film music and sound festival by number of submitted films.
The actor, also known for his appearances in the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises, will receive the Honorary Crystal Pine Award at the Croatian National Theatre in Varaždin in recognition of his contribution to film art.
Simon Pegg (Photo: Press)
A total of 13 awards will be presented during the festival.
This year’s edition will also bring together seven Oscar-winning and Oscar-nominated artists. Among them is James Mather, the Oscar-winning sound designer behind Top Gun: Maverick.
The president of the international ISFMF jury will be acclaimed actor Ciarán Hinds, known to many viewers for his role as Mance Rayder in Game of Thrones, as well as performances in Harry Potter and Belfast, for which he received an Academy Award nomination.
Ciarán Hinds (Photo: Press)
Alongside appearances by major international film figures, organisers have announced a wide-ranging accompanying programme.
Visitors can expect an exclusive screening of the new Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning film, attended by Pegg and Mather, as well as panel discussions on film music, sound, artificial intelligence and the future of the creative industries.
ISFMF Crystal Pine (Photo: Press)
The programme will also include a concert dedicated to Croatian film music, workshops and quizzes for film and popular culture enthusiasts.
Festival organisers say this year’s event has already broken records, with 928 films submitted from 81 countries worldwide.
For several days, Varaždin is expected to become an international centre for film, music and creative industries, bringing global entertainment names to northern Croatia.
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