Experience a Vibrant Summer in Central Bohemia: Festivals and Iconic Film Anniversaries Await

Festival Season Across Different Genres and Moods

This summer kicks off with the New NeFeNeFi Festival – The Shortest Short Film Festival. This unique festival concentrates on very short films and creative cinematic styles. Founded and led by F. A. Brabec, a talented cinematographer and director who has won the Czech Lion award three times, this exciting event will be held on June 13 at Royal Velvary. It’s a one-day festival that allows both industry professionals and film fans to watch all entries competing for awards within just one day. The day will conclude with an awards ceremony, judged by a panel of experts including composer Varhan Orchestrovič Bauer, director Irena Pavlásková, and actors Karel Dobrý and Jan Potměšil. The festival aims to also nurture young talents from all over the country, providing them with a platform to showcase their creations, allowing a broader range of up-and-coming filmmakers to shine.

On the other end of the genre spectrum is the Noir Film Festival, a one-of-a-kind event celebrating the unique noir film genre, held every year in stunning medieval castle settings. This festival explores how the noir style has evolved over decades and across continents, offering audiences a richer understanding of this cinematic genre through introductions from lecturers and expert talks. After successful editions held in prominent locations like the castles of Central Bohemia, including Kokořín, Český Šternberk, and Křivoklát, this year it will return to Křivoklát Castle from August 27 to August 30. Look forward to next year’s event, which will once again showcase films at Český Šternberk. The festival is known for its cozy and inviting atmosphere, making it an exceptional experience even for the most discerning film enthusiasts.

A Journey Through Nostalgia: Revisiting the Classics

This year marks important anniversaries for three landmark pieces of Czech cinema. The beloved tragicomedy Vesničko má středisková, directed by Jiří Menzel, and co-written by Zdeněk Svěrák, celebrates an impressive 40 years since its initial premiere.

This cult classic, filmed in the picturesque village of Křečovice, is now receiving renewed attention through a series of events, including a public screening, a special exhibition, and guided tours of noteworthy filming locations. The village, featuring the JZD gate, the red star, and the phrase “Peace Neveklov – Křečovice centre”, has barely changed since the film debuted. The celebrations are set for September 12, and Czech Television will also be part of the festivities.

The next noteworthy celebration pertains to the TV series The Cottagers, which first aired in 1975 and is frequently rerun. It will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with festive activities on June 7 in the village of< strong> Cherry, including themed screenings, a children’s program, and a concert featuring the Matuška Revival group. In the filming location village of Višňová, where the show was filmed, an outdoor exhibition showcasing photographs and artifacts from the production will be set up. The show continues to resonate with viewers due to its genuine depiction of village life in the 1970s, the complexities of interpersonal relationships, humorous situations, and themes that are relevant today—like the desire to return from urban life to the countryside and a search for tranquility and balance.

Additionally, the iconic 1965 film by director Miloš Forman, Love of a Virgin, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. This film is considered a vital part of the Czechoslovak New Wave movement. The enchanting and ironic tale of a young girl named Andula experiencing first love unfolds in a fictional town inspired by the real Zruč nad Sázavou. Audiences and critics alike were charmed by its authentic dialogue and superb performances from non-professional actors. The film even received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, made a mark at the Venice Film Festival, and continues to be recognized as one of the significant highlights of Forman’s early career.

Outdoor Film Screenings

This summer, open-air cinemas will provide film experiences set against the backdrop of the beautiful Central Bohemian monuments and museums. With the Central Bohemian Cultural Summer event, which moves theatre performances, concerts, and other cultural activities into castles, chateaux, or open-air museums, these summer cinemas will showcase both classic films and newer releases connected to the region or their filming locations. For example, the Mladá Boleslav Museum will host open-air screenings of films like The Snowdrop Festival, The Raven Settlement, and Adelheid, along with Rags, Bones, and Leather. The Karel Čapek Memorial in Stará Hut, located near Dobříš, will feature showings of The Gardener’s Year. Furthermore, the Sládeček Museum of Local History in Kladno and its branch, the Mayrau Mining Museum in Vinařice, along with the Museum of Venice in Venice nad Jizerou, as well as the Regional Museum in Kolín, are all ready to present exciting summer screening programs.

Film Festivals & Special Events

NeFeNeFi Festival

• Date & Location: June 13 • Velvary

• Highlights: A curated selection of contemporary and classic features, Q&As with filmmakers, and local food & drink stalls.

Noir Film Festival

• Genre Focus: Noir cinema—crime dramas, thrillers, femme fatales and hard-boiled detectives.

• Date & Location: 2025 edition at Křivoklát Castle

• Features: Outdoor screenings in the castle courtyard, panel discussions on classic and neo-noir, and a midnight “mystery tour” of castle passageways.

Anniversary Celebrations

40th Anniversary of Vesničko má středisková

• Original Premiere: 1985

• Celebration: Guided tours in Křečovice’s village square, revisiting iconic filming spots from the movie.

50th Anniversary of the Cottagers Series

• Series Debut: 1975

• Celebration: June 7 • Višňová

• Program: Screening of the original film episodes, cast & crew reunion, and archival photo exhibition.

Summer Cinema Screenings

Throughout the summer months, a roaming “summer cinema” program will visit castles, chateaux, and open-air museums across Central Bohemia. Featured titles include:

• The Snowdrop Festival

• The Raven Settlement

• Adelheid

• Rags, Bones, and Leather

Each venue offers a unique backdrop—medieval ramparts, landscaped gardens, and period-authentic courtyards—paired with on-site concessions and pre-show talks.

Filming Location Spotlight

Love of a Virgin

• Filming Inspiration: Though set in a fictional town, most scenes were shot around Zruč nad Sázavou.

• What to Do: Visit the riverside streets and village outskirts where key scenes were filmed; local cafés often display behind-the-scenes photos.