12 must-visit film festivals in Prague and Czechia this autumn

Cinephiles in Prague and beyond can look forward to an array of exciting film festivals showcasing diverse genres and themes over the coming months. From the cutting-edge sci-fi of the Future Gate Film Festival to the vibrant LGBTQ+ narratives at Mezipatra, this season promises something for everyone. Discover the top 10 films fests in Czechia this fall below.

As a special bonus for non-Czech speakers, most films screening at these festivals will play in their original language with both English and Czech subtitles if applicable, providing a rare opportunity to enjoy English-friendly international cinema on the big screen in Czechia.

The 11th edition of Future Gate, Central Europe’s largest sci-fi film festival, runs from Sept. 24-30 at Kino Lucerna in Prague, with Terry Gilliam as the honored guest. He will receive an award for his contribution to the sci-fi genre and present screenings of his iconic films 12 Monkeys and Brazil.

Other international filmmakers and scientists will also attend, and discussions on AI, themed exhibitions, and cosplay events will be part of the program. Ryan Ward, director of Daughter of the Sun, and Spanish director Miguel Llansó will showcase their films. Runs throughout October at cinemas across Czechia.

The Serial Killer Festival in Brno, now in its 7th year, brings together top talent from the Czech and Central-Eastern European TV industry. Running from Sept. 24-29, the festival highlights key trends in TV and web series production, showcasing standout Czech dramas like The Well and Daughter of the Nation.

This year, a special "British Nostalgia" section features classic UK comedies like The Office and The IT Crowd. The event also includes a three-day conference with industry professionals discussing European TV trends. Screenings are held in original languages with Czech and English subtitles.

The 13th edition of the Film and Architecture festival will take place from Sept. 26-Oct. 1 in Prague and other cities across Czechia, featuring contemporary films focused on architecture. This year’s theme of "oddities and uniqueness” explores unconventional structures and absurd cinematic interpretations.

The festival will include discussions with filmmakers and a special accompanying program, drawing inspiration from the 100th anniversary of the death of Franz Kafka. A special preview of Czechoslovak Architecture 58–89 will kick off the festival on Sept. 25 at the former Hotel InterContinental, one of the locations featured in the film.

The 11th edition of Be2Can, running from Oct. 2-9, will showcase 12 films from the Cannes, Berlinale, and Venice festivals in 20 cities across the Czech Republic. Highlights include Megalopolis by Francis Ford Coppola, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and Flow, which opens the festival.

Director Alonso Ruizpalacios will attend screenings of La Cocina in Prague. Films from Berlinale include the Golden Bear-winning Dahomey and the absurdist Sasquatch Sunset. Screenings will take place in cities like Prague, Brno, and Olomouc, with the festival continuing in Slovakia afterward.

Press Play Prague is an event that unites journalists, filmmakers, and audiences to explore the power of storytelling and the critical role of journalism in shaping societal understanding. Taking place at Prague's Kino Atlas from Oct. 8-12, the festival will feature thought-provoking films addressing social and political issues, encouraging meaningful discussions and fostering social change.

The program includes competitive sections for non-fiction films alongside non-competitive screenings of fictional works focused on journalism’s challenges and impact. Curated narratives, visual projects, and public discussions will also highlight the profession’s ethical dilemmas and its influence on society. Program TBD.

The 18th edition of Das Filmfest celebrates German-language films from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland from Oct. 16-20 at Kino Lucerna and Edison Filmhub in Prague. After screenings in the Czech capital, the festival will transition to Brno from Oct. 22-26 and Olomouc from Nov. 1-5.

The festival will showcase a curated selection of critically acclaimed comedies, psychological dramas, historical epics, and documentaries, including several Czech distribution premieres. Film enthusiasts can look forward to personal appearances by select filmmakers.

The 13th Argentine Film Festival will be held from October 10-15, 2024, at Prague’s Lucerna Palace. Organized by the Argentine Embassy, the festival celebrates 100 years of diplomatic relations between Argentina and the Czech Republic. The lineup includes six feature films and two shorts, opening with Blackmail, starring Guillermo Francella. The festival showcases diverse Argentine cinema, including Let the Dance Begin and Emma’s Dream, complemented by cultural events like tango performances and wine tastings.

The Kino Brasil film festival highlights Brazil beyond samba, carnival, and football. Held in Prague from Oct. 15 to Nov. 3, the festival addresses important topics like drought and climate change’s impact on Brazilian culture. This year, seven films are featured, including Barren Lives, a cinema novo classic, and five contemporary dramas. Films with Czech, Portuguese, and English subtitles are showcased, and cultural events such as lectures, debates, dance and music lessons, parties, and tastings are accompanied by the festival.

The 28th edition of the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival will take place from Oct. 25-Nov. 3, celebrating creative documentary cinema in Central and Eastern Europe. This year’s festival will open with the world premiere of Marek Šulík’s Ms. President, a time-lapse portrait of Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová.

With its main competition section showcasing up to 18 feature films, Ji.hlava continues to honor excellence in documentary filmmaking. The festival will also feature retrospectives, experimental works, and a rich industry program, drawing over 1,000 film professionals to engage and connect throughout the event.

The Indian Film Festival in Prague’s Kino Světozor, running this year from Oct. 31-Nov. 2 cinema showcases South Asian cinema, offering a glimpse into India’s rich culture and film industry. Celebrating Bollywood’s international appeal, the festival presents colorful, emotional, and energetic films but also highlights the evolving diversity in Indian cinema. Alongside traditional Bollywood, the festival features works by young filmmakers, including social satires, political comedies, thrillers, and dramas.

The festival also showcases commercial and non-commercial Indian films, with selections from Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, and Bengali cinema, both fiction and documentary. The program this year includes films such as 12th Fail, a crime drama from Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Crew, a comedy that was one of India's highest-grossing films of 2024.

The Mezipatra LGBTQ+ film festival returns for its 2024 edition, showcasing around 100 films focused on LGBTQ+ issues from Nov. 7-14 in Prague and Nov. 15-22 in Brno. Organized by the non-profit organizations Mezipatra and STUD Brno, the festival features a prestigious international competition, alongside discussions, workshops, and parties.

This year’s theme highlights the concept of “queer,” inviting audiences to explore diverse sexual and gender identities while engaging with renowned filmmakers and creators.

The 11th annual Aussie & Kiwi Film Fest returns to Prague from Nov. 15-20, showcasing the best in contemporary cinema from Australia and New Zealand. Audiences can expect premieres of feature films, documentaries, and short films, along with a diverse non-film program that includes school screenings, lectures, exhibitions, and discussions.

Hosted by the volunteer-driven association AKFF, this year’s festival will take place across ten cinemas in Prague, Brno, Olomouc, Pilsen and Bratislava, offering a vibrant cultural experience that celebrates the unique storytelling and artistic expressions of Australia and New Zealand.