The 12th edition of the Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia returns to Melbourne and Adelaide, showcasing the vibrant cultural heritage of Czech and Slovak cinema.
Running from October 10-13 and 19-20 in Melbourne, and November 1-2 and 9 in Adelaide, this year's festival is set to be the biggest yet.
With over 25 films and 20 Australian premieres across live-action, animation, documentary, and restorations—many from Karlovy Vary, Cannes, and Berlinale—there's something for everyone to enjoy.
This year’s program embraces the captivating theme of Labyrinth.
Artistic Director Alexander Back elaborates, “We walk into the world of fiction, follow the path of non-fiction, and traverse the zones of animation and experimentation.”
He highlights that a labyrinth has a single continuous path guiding viewers toward a central truth.
“The winding labyrinth of our 12th year is not a path of one kind — we follow dark trails, magical paths, and love-filled journeys, where one can get both lost and found in Czech and Slovak cinema.”
Each of these paths reflects the unique experiences offered by the region's cinema, inviting audiences to explore and rediscover themselves along the way.
Embark on this cinematic adventure with CaSFFA, starting with March to May as the Opening Night film of CaSFFA 2024 on Thursday, October 10, at 6:30 PM.
This intimate exploration follows a family's journey as they prepare for the arrival of a new member.
The screening will be preceded by Weeds (dir. Polina Kazak, 2024, Czech Republic, 14 min), a beautifully hand-painted short animation that made its debut at Cannes.
The festival continues to celebrate diverse cinematic voices, with films that captivate and challenge audiences.
For fans of art-house cinema, Our Lovely Pig Slaughter promises striking cinematography and authentic performances from a cast of largely first-time actors, exploring tensions within a family gathering for a traditional pig slaughter.
Don't miss it on Friday, October 11, at 6:30 PM at Lido Cinemas.
I’m Not Everything I Want to Be, a documentary premiering at Berlinale, delves into the extraordinary life of photographer Libuše Jarcovjáková and her introspective quest for artistic fulfilment.
This screening will be preceded by Cold and Dark, a mesmerising visual feast shot in black and white, set on the outskirts of a Slovakian logging village.
Be sure to catch them on Sunday, October 20, at 2:00 PM at Classic Cinemas.
The festival also includes The Next Wave: Shorts Strand, featuring emerging filmmakers from top Czech and Slovak film schools, showcasing contemporary issues through a curated selection of shorts.
The program includes seven films, ranging from 10 to 21 minutes, addressing themes like spirituality, sexuality, and the environment.
Join the audience on Sunday, 13th October at 2:00 PM to experience these innovative and thought-provoking stories.
In the lead-up to the festival, CaSFFA invites you to our co-presentation of Jiří Menzel: Making Comedies Is No Fun in partnership with the Melbourne Cinémathèque, running from September 25 to October 9 at ACMI.
This three-week retrospective celebrates the inimitable Czech New Wave director’s most beloved films, which playfully merge drama and history with comedy and satire.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore Menzel's unique cinematic contributions before the festival begins!
For the full 2024 program, visit the CaSFFA website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.
Whether in Melbourne or Adelaide, the CaSFFA team invites you to follow the path to the Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia, where you’ll find your place among this year’s diverse and captivating lineup.
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