Discover Global Cinematic Gems at the Zlín Film Festival
This year’s lineup pays tribute to significant anniversaries in Czech cinema. It observes 100 years since the birth of screenwriter Miloš Macourek with special themed screenings, an exhibition of costumes, and discussions featuring actors. Additionally, the 90th anniversary of the Zlín film studios will also be recognized, for instance, through discussions titled ‘Zlín Film Pioneers’, linking historical significance with the work of modern filmmakers.
Festival opening
The Zlín Film Festival officially kicked off on Thursday, May 28, at 10:00 AM with the world premiere of the Czech family fantasy film Mum and Dad Are Awesome. During the morning’s opening event, the Golden Slipper award was given by the festival president to Hurvínek, who is celebrating his 100th birthday this year. In the evening’s ceremony, the Golden Slipper for lifetime achievement in children’s and youth cinema was awarded to the executive director of ČT :D, director and former artistic director of the festival, Petr Koliha. Another award for lifetime achievement will be presented at the closing ceremony to actor Petr Kostka.
The first day of the festival is dedicated to the city of Zlín, featuring its Day of Endless Possibilities at Míru Square, which will end at 8:00 PM with a concert by the band Monkey Business. The festival evening will wrap up with a showing of Jurassic Park at the open-air cinema starting at 9:30 PM. This year’s outdoor cinema program celebrates the work of Steven Spielberg in honor of his upcoming 80th birthday.
The opening film, screening at 6:00 PM at the Golden Apple Cinema multiplex, is the lively and uplifting Spanish film, Girls in a Different League, which reflects on the early days of women’s football in Spain.
A selection of competition films
The film competition for children under 10 offers a rich selection of films from various parts of the world. Among these titles are the animated film The Secret of the Crystal Planet, the German movie Koschka, the Egyptian film Happy Birthday—which thoughtfully addresses issues of friendship and social differences—and the poetic road movie My Atlas of the Universe from Romania and Bulgaria, which adds further geographical and thematic variety to the competition.
The International Competition for Feature Films for Teenagers showcases impactful auteur films, such as the Brazilian film Gugu’s World, which presents an authentic viewpoint on growing up; the Polish film The Altar Boys, which explores themes surrounding faith and identity; and the film A Cake for the President, which uniquely portrays adolescent life in 1990s Iraq.
The International Feature Film Competition catering to young people features distinguished titles that blend personal narratives with broader social topics. The aforementioned Irish film *Trad* connects youth with musical traditions, the Slovak debut *Potopa* revisits themes of displacement and the loss of home, and the South Korean movie *World of Love* offers a perceptive view on relationships and the societal pressures of modern life.
Festival supporting programme
A new feature of the supporting program is the Zlinfest Zone located in Svobody Park, which will serve as a venue for interactions between audiences and filmmakers. The morning agenda will be geared towards schools and discussions with international guests; in the afternoon, it will open up to the public and include interactions with actors and film professionals, themed sessions, podcast recordings, and evening music events. On Sunday, May 31, a Smart Quiz with film-related questions will also take place starting at 8:30 PM.
Another essential part of the festival will once more be the unique clapperboard auction, with proceeds from the event supporting young filmmakers and emerging talents through the Filmtalent Zlín Endowment Fund. Additionally, for the eleventh consecutive time, participants will take to the streets of Baťa’s Zlín for the Monet+ Zlín Festival Half Marathon. Both activities are scheduled for Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Starting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, a number of stars will be added to the Walk of Fame in front of the Velké kino cinema in Zlín, with two more prestigious honors being awarded to notable figures in the film industry. This year, Kristýna Badinková Nováková and Martin Písařík will be recognized in this manner.
As part of the larger supporting program, attendees can look forward to concerts, film workshops, exhibitions, and screenings at the open-air cinema.
