October: A Festival Extravaganza for Film Buffs and Lighting Aficionados
The best festival films on Be2Can
Thanks to a unique film event called Be2Can, you can catch films that were shown this year at renowned international film festivals held in Berlin, Venice, and Cannes. This special event will occur from October 8 to 15 throughout the Czech Republic. You can watch the films in popular cinemas like Lucerna, Evald, or Modřany Biograf in Prague, as well as at Cinema City Velký Špalíček in Brno, Metropol in Olomouc, Portyč in Písek, Cinema 99 in Kolín, Minikina in Ostrava, or Golden Apple Cinema in Zlín. This year, Be2Can features groundbreaking, thought-provoking films and compelling film-novels, highlighting legendary filmmakers alongside emerging talents from the contemporary arthouse scene. The film selection is intentionally thought-provoking, as the organizers believe these films can truly impact the audience.
This year marks the 12th installment of the festival, which will be located in cinemas across 20 cities and will premiere 12 new films. Additionally, attendees can find the crème de la crème from the Berlin, Venice, and Cannes festivals. Featured films include Mother, What Marielle Knows, The Blue Trail, Princess Cosmolesba, Eagles of the Republic, Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5, The Disappearance of Josef Mengele, Exit 8, Little Sister, Dogma, and Angel Egg.
Jazz comes to Hradec again
From October 7 to 11, the 31st edition of the international festival Jazz Goes to Town will take place in various music halls, clubs, and other unique concert spaces along both sides of the Elbe River in Hradec Králové. This festival encompasses a broad range of genres including traditional jazz, blues, fusion, mainstream, funky jazz, be-bop, and even free jazz. The event will showcase top artists from both international and European jazz scenes, as well as talented local musicians, including newcomers. The festival is known for offering music premieres in the Czech Republic each year. This special edition will feature an exciting lineup full of new performances by both renowned stars and promising young artists. The festival will span seven stages around the city and will host a total of 10 musical projects. This year’s programming emphasizes innovation and openness, offering a rich and varied mix from traditional jazz vibes to bold and experimental works.
From October 24 to November 2, 2025, the International Documentary Film Festival will take place in Jihlava. This festival celebrates original documentary filmmaking and is the largest event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. Attendees will have the opportunity to view over two hundred films, many of which are making their world premiere. The event will feature traditional discussions with filmmakers, directing workshops, and open debates with thought-provoking guests at the Inspiration Forum. Among the Czech films showcased are Trabalík’s What about Petya?, Strejcovsky’s comedic auction film Is it worth it!?, and Hana Nováková’s moose adventure Amoosed: an elk odyssey. The retrospective called Food and Time will explore Czechoslovak history through the lens of food, while Taiwanese filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang will present the world premiere of his new “walking film.” The Inspiration Forum will tackle topics like love, money, radicalisation, and the future of Europe. This year, the festival will be extended to last for ten days due to growing interest from attendees, who have filled past events to capacity. Now, visitors can decide to attend either the beginning or the end of the festival. The complete film lineup will be available throughout the event, ensuring that films will have multiple screenings.
Signal festival lights up the streets of Prague
Signal Light Festival, a staple of Prague’s autumn season, will illuminate the city from October 16 to 19. This year, the festival will feature twenty-two art installations by both Czech and international artists scattered throughout Prague. In its thirteenth edition, the event will take place primarily in the center of Prague 1 and Prague 2, encompassing the Old Town and Vinohrady. One of the highlights will be stunning video projections on the Old Town Hall tower and the front of the Basilica of St. Ludmila at náměstí Míru. The Signal festival will once more present a paid segment along with its free offerings, specifically the Signal Inside program located at attractive sites in central Prague. Looking for free performances? Check out the 3D projection on the water wall at Dvořák Embankment or visit Svatopluk Čech Gardens, where you’ll encounter the interactive piece known as Eye. Not too far away in the park, you can discover Accord, a large LED wall that responds to audience movements and gestures. Fans of the Čapek Brothers will experience something unprecedented, named Grill Flame. This engaging performance layers images of a picnic taking place just before the end of the world.
