.jpg)
In 2024, the new government in Slovakia is pushing through a radical change to the law, which would put independent public media under its control. Amid an atmosphere of deep uncertainty and growing fears of censorship, a strike committee forms within the institution. The camera thus witnesses the journalists' resistance, as they are forced day by day to defend their profession in a Don Quixote-like effort to confront the arrogance of power with civil dialogue.
The screening of the film will be preceded by the grand opening of the festival, combined with the presentation of the Elena Lacková Award. Marta Balaga will moderate.
The grand opening will be held in English and will be interpreted into Slovak sign language and Slovak.
---
Funded by the European Union.
.png)
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.
This screening is part of the IncluCine 2 project, implemented within the Collaborate to Innovate scheme under the auspices of Europa Cinemas and funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme.
In 2024, the new government in Slovakia is pushing through a radical change to the law, which would put independent public media under its control. Amid an atmosphere of deep uncertainty and growing fears of censorship, a strike committee forms within the institution. The camera thus witnesses the journalists' resistance, as they are forced day by day to defend their profession in a Don Quixote-like effort to confront the arrogance of power with civil dialogue.
After the film screening, there will be a discussion with director Sára Prokopová in Slovak. The festival director, Eva Križková, will moderate. The discussion will be interpreted into Slovak Sign Language.
---
Funded by the European Union.
.png)
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA assumes any responsibility for them.
The event is also accessible with audio description and descriptive subtitles thanks to the IncluCine 2 project, which is being implemented as part of the Collaborate to Innovate initiative under the auspices of Europa Cinemas and is funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA program.
At just sixteen, Soraya is already creating stunning drawings and sculptures that are as beautiful as they are dark. This strong-willed Afghan sculptor and illustrator has been trying for five years to escape Iran and join her mother in Austria. This subtly textured self-portrait interweaves chilling scenes of her escape attempts with political news from Afghanistan and videos in which she sings and dances – or shows her bruises. Soraya is married to a violent man, and she is determined to shape her own future. Mehrdad Oskouei directed this film entirely remotely, with Soraya filming all the footage herself over five years using her phone. This material is interspersed with shots of her drawings and surreal animations. Making art is no idle pastime for Soraya. She puts all her worries, joys, and fears into her drawings and the sculptures she makes from soaked egg cartons or clay that she finds along her escape routes. Many of her drawings feature recurring figures: a loyal fox who is her traveling companion, a pink moon that always watches over her, and a clown who ever laughs – a character Soraya identifies with.
Awards:
IDFA Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary – International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam 2025 (Netherlands)
Big Stamp in the International Competition – Zagrebdox 2026 (Croatia)
Jury Award a Audience Award for Best International Documentary – Docville 2026, Leuven (Belgium)
Stefan Jarl International Documentary Award for Best International Documentary – Tempo Documentary Festival 2026, Stockholm (Sweden)
Below, we offer a statement from the jury of the student competition Another Gaze:
The documentary tells a powerful story about an even more powerful heroine who faces difficult situations. Her story shows bravery and determination in the face of challenging obstacles. The film is also remarkable for its technical approach, as the majority of the footage was recorded on the protagonist’s mobile phone, even in situations when doing so was far from safe. The documentary’s use of a diary or vlog-style format is equally exceptional. It gives the film a more personal and authentic feel, further enhanced by colourful drawings and animations created by the protagonist. They offer us a glimpse into her interior life and feelings that cannot be fully expressed through words, but can be conveyed by art. It is admirable how rich a creative life the protagonist leads despite her difficult circumstances. It is her sanctuary, giving her the inner strength to endure and keep moving forward. It is these aspects in particular that enrich the film to such an extent that we rank it among the most formally original films of this year’s festival. The heroine’s inner world is represented through allegories. As a result, her personal story becomes universal, allowing the audience to find their own meanings within it.
Director Mehrdad Oskouei, together with Soraya Akhlaghi – the co-director and protagonist – will discuss the making of the film after the screening. They will talk about how their remote collaboration unfolded over the five years of filming, what it took to achieve freedom in both practical and personal terms, and how the raw footage shot on a mobile phone gradually became a finished film. Audiences will therefore have the unique opportunity to hear from someone who lived through this story, as well as from the director who helped bring it to the big screen, and to ask questions about a project that has been in the making for years.
The discussion will be held in English and Persian and moderated by Slovak-Iranian stand-up comedian and activist Nasi (Nastaran Motlagh). The discussion will be interpreted into Slovak Sign Language.
---
This screening is part of the IncluCine 2 project, implemented within the Collaborate to Innovate scheme under the auspices of Europa Cinemas and funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme.
For more than twenty years, Hind has lived a marriage shaped by absence. Her spouse is serving a life sentence in an Israeli prison, one of thousands of Palestinian men incarcerated far from their families. Visits are rare, physical contact is forbidden, and intimacy is impossible. Yet Hind still dreams of becoming a mother. Through an extraordinary underground network, Palestinian prisoners have found a way to smuggle their sperm out of prison, allowing their wives to conceive through IVF. The film follows Hind through the intimate stages of this journey: secret phone calls, medical appointments, moments of hope, and devastating uncertainty. Interwoven with Hindʼs story are the voices of other women, doctors, and former prisoners who reveal the human cost of incarceration beyond prison walls. The film moves between domestic spaces and heavily restricted institutions, showing how love, desire, and parenthood persist even under extreme control. Told entirely through real-time observation, the film reframes motherhood not as a private desire, but as a space shaped by power, control, and enforced absence. It offers an intimate, restrained portrait of women whose bodies become quiet sites of resistance, and of lives suspended between waiting, hope, and the cost of endurance. The film For Life had its world premiere at the Visions du Réel 2026 International Film Festival in Nyon (Switzerland).
When war and occupation become part of everyday reality, the meaning of ordinary life changes too. Seeing loved ones seems impossible, safety and security become a rarity, and bringing a child into the world turns into an act of resistance. In the post-screening discussion, the guests – Salma Al Henami, who is of Slovak-Yemeni origin, Lebanese-born Rami Jacob, and Julián Vrábel, who spent two months in the West Bank – will explore what family means when it is shaped not only by love, but also by perseverance and the struggle for survival.
The discussion will be held in Slovak and will be interpreted into Slovak Sign Language.
---
Funded by the European Union.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA assumes any responsibility for them.
The event is also accessible with audio description and descriptive subtitles thanks to the IncluCine 2 project, which is being implemented as part of the Collaborate to Innovate initiative under the auspices of Europa Cinemas and is funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA program.
One in a Million shares the story of eleven-year-old Israa as she and her family leave Syria in search of safety and a better life in Europe. Filmed over a decade, directors Itab Azzam and Jack MacInnes capture Israa as she embarks on an epic journey – from fleeing the war as a young Syrian refugee, to navigating adolescence and a new culture in Germany, to returning to her home of Aleppo as an adult. One in a Million is an intimate, coming-of-age story that asks a universal question: What does it mean to call a place home? The film illuminates the complexities of the refugee experience, capturing Israa and her family as they confront war, exile, and heartbreak – and discover resilience, freedom, and love – in a foreign land. The film One in a Million won the Directing Award and the Audience Award in the section World Cinema – Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival 2026 (Park City, Utah, USA).
In the discussion after the screening, we will explore integration from three different perspectives: UNHCR will provide figures and a broader context – how many people decided to return home after the change of regime in Syria and how many continue to live in exile. We will learn about the experience of integration in practice from the civil association Mareena, as well as hear a personal story of fleeing Syria told by someone who experienced it firsthand – what does integration into a different cultural context really mean. Where is the line between adapting and forgetting who you once were?
Guests:
Miya Hashimoto, UNHCR
Petra Kováč, Mareena
Ismail Samar, member of the Mareena community from Syria
The discussion, which will be held in Slovak, will be moderated by Frederika Hazéová. The discussion will be interpreted into Slovak Sign Language.
---
This screening is part of the IncluCine 2 project, implemented within the Collaborate to Innovate scheme under the auspices of Europa Cinemas and funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme.
.jpg)
Note: Free tickets for the event must be claimed in advance.
One World's breakfast with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
This year too, the weekend festival will open with Eva Križková, the director of One World, her guests, and of course, with a delicious breakfast. Get the most recent news about festival events, meet and greet filmmakers from all around the globe, and be among the first to learn who earned the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought this year. One World's breakfast is brought to you in cooperation with European Parliament.
24. 10. 2026 at 10.00 AM
One World neighbourhood
Right after breakfast (around 10:00 a.m.), we'll continue with the workshop.
Lector: Nawras Rashed | Age: Children, families and adults | Duration: 90–120 minutes
This workshop invites participants to imagine and physically build a peaceful neighbourhood together using recycled and everyday materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, boxes, fabric, sticks and other found objects.
Instead of creating individual artworks, participants will work together to build a shared neighbourhood. They can create houses, gardens, trees, a lake or river, shops, schools, playgrounds, community spaces, roads, bridges or anything else they believe a peaceful neighbourhood needs.
The workshop begins with a simple question:
“If we could build a neighbourhood where everyone feels safe, welcome, and connected, what would it look like?”
Participants will have to communicate, share ideas, make decisions, and collaborate with others. Each person can contribute something different, but all the individual creations will eventually become one shared neighbourhood.
The workshop is not about creating a perfect model. It is about the process of building something together, listening to each other, finding space for different ideas, cooperating, and imagining what a peaceful community could look like.
At the end, all the houses, gardens and shared spaces will come together to form one collective, peaceful neighbourhood, created entirely by the participants.
The workshop connects creativity, sustainability, cooperation, community, and peace, while giving participants a chance to physically experience the idea that a better community is something we can build together.
Materials: recycled cardboard, boxes, paper, plastic bottles, fabric, sticks, string, coloured paper, markers, paint, glue, scissors, and other found/recycled materials.
No previous artistic experience is required.
This is a special screening also for parents with babies.
This documentary follows Amadou & Mariam, the blind musical duo from Mali whose legendary sound has captivated audiences worldwide, as they embark on an extraordinary journey to record a new album, reconnect with their roots, and redefine their iconic music. Traveling across Spain, France, and Mali, the duo draws inspiration from the landscapes, traditions, and rhythms that shaped their sound while embracing fresh influences that push their music in new directions. The film offers an intimate look at their creative process, capturing both the joy and challenges of crafting a new studio album. Through behind-the-scenes footage and personal interviews, viewers witness their warmth, humour, and resilience, gaining insight into two artists whose music transcends borders. Amadou & Mariamʼs journey is enriched by conversations with a stellar lineup of collaborators and admirers, including Damon Albarn, Chris Martin, Sofi Tukker, Mokobe, Matthieu Chedid, Tiken Jah Fakoly, and Vieux Farka Touré, who reflect on the duoʼs global impact and artistic influence. Visually striking and emotionally resonant, the documentary weaves together studio sessions, live performances, and intimate moments across three countries, offering a cinematic exploration of music, identity, and legacy. Ultimately, itʼs a celebration of creativity, cultural connection, and the transformative power of music through the eyes of two extraordinary artists. Today, it also stands as a tribute to Amadou Bagayoko, who sadly left this world on 4 April 2025.
---
This screening is part of the IncluCine 2 project, implemented within the Collaborate to Innovate scheme under the auspices of Europa Cinemas and funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme.
.jpg)
Yanuni follows the extraordinary journey of Juma Xipaia, an Indigenous chief from the Brazilian Amazon, as she rises from a remote village in Xipaya territory to the political frontlines of climate justice. A fearless defender of her people and the rainforest, Juma has survived six assassination attempts while confronting illegal gold miners, land-grabbers, and multinational corporations threatening her ancestral land. Spanning years of activism and personal sacrifice, the film captures Juma’s historic appointment as Brazil’s first Secretary of Indigenous Rights under President Lula. At her side is Hugo Loss, her husband and the head of Special Operations at IBAMA, Brazil’s environmental protection agency. As Juma fights on the political front, Hugo leads dangerous operations to dismantle illegal mining camps deep in the Amazon — often under armed threat. When Juma discovers she is pregnant, her battle takes on new urgency. Navigating impending motherhood, rising political responsibility, and Hugo’s high-risk missions, she is forced to confront the personal cost of resistance. Told with intimate access and cinematic urgency, Yanuni is both a love story and a call to action. It illuminates one of the world’s most critical environmental and human rights struggles through a deeply personal lens. At once epic and intimate, Yanuni is a powerful portrait of resilience, Indigenous sovereignty, and the fight to protect the world’s largest rainforest — for future generations and the planet we call home.
Awards:
IDA Award – Honorable Mention 2025 in the Feature Documentaries Category – International Documentary Association
Best Documentary – Special Mention – Palm Springs International Film Festival 2026 (USA)
Discussion after the screening will explore what gives someone the strength to stand up against forces greater than the individual, and what sacrifices such resistance demands. We will follow up on the performance by Divadlo bez domova by exploring topics of home, sense of belonging, and the loss of one's place in the world. Are Juma and the Amazon truly as distant from us as it first appears, or are we also fighting for our forests and nature in Slovakia, only in a different way and on a different scale?
Guests:
Marek Kuchta, My sme les (We Are the Forest)
Patrik Krebs, Divadlo bez domova (Theatre With No Home)
Dorota Osvaldová, Znepokojené matky (Concerned Mothers) and Greenpeace Slovakia
Moderated by Lucia Szabová.
The discussion will be held in Slovak and will be interpreted into Slovak sign language.
---
Funded by the European Union.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA assumes any responsibility for them.
The event is also accessible with audio description and descriptive subtitles thanks to the IncluCine 2 project, which is being implemented as part of the Collaborate to Innovate initiative under the auspices of Europa Cinemas and is funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA program.
Six Ukrainian women – Iryna, Liudmyla, Halyna, Tetiana, Olha, and Mefodiivna – who experienced sexual violence and torture during Russiaʼs war of aggression in Ukraine from 2014 to 2023 refuse to remain silent. Each woman is a survivor who shares her story in this psychological portrait, creating a unique document of the crime committed, inspired by a desire to preserve the memory of truth and justice. The women are all members of SEMA Ukraine, the Ukrainian community of women survivors of sexual gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence.
Alisa Kovalenko and Marysia Nikitiuk accompany Iryna Dovhan, a survivor who has become an activist, as she documents the testimonies of other survivors in the liberated territories of Ukraine. Through her story, the film creates a portrait of collective trauma while also leaving space for hope. Iryna brings these women together, helping them to transform their pain into a shared fight – for truth, justice, and unity. Despite the immense suffering, the film becomes more than a record of war crimes; it transforms into a testament to resilience and women standing side by side.
Award:
Audience Award in the Panorama Section (Panorama Audience Award) – Berlinale 2026 (Germany)
The film screening will be followed by a discussion with director Alisa Kovalenko in English. Sára Činčurová will moderate the discussion.
---
Funded by the European Union.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA assumes any responsibility for them.
The event is also accessible with audio description and descriptive subtitles thanks to the IncluCine 2 project, which is being implemented as part of the Collaborate to Innovate initiative under the auspices of Europa Cinemas and is funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA program. (plus the Collaborate to Innovate logo).
This is a special screening also for parents with babies.
Elderly brothers René and Rob can’t do with or without each other. René lives the life of a recluse, in a house that is overflowing with stuff. When things threaten to get out of hand, his younger brother Rob intervenes. Filmmaker Tom Fassaert, Rob’s son, documents these weekly visits and recognizes a familiar dynamic. Rob, a retired psychologist, slips into the role of counsellor; René, a longtime psychiatric patient, becomes his client. Their underlying irritation is genuine, but so is their affection. As Rob and René repeat the same ritual every week, Tom begins to sense that something must be behind it. Something old and unspoken. In the family archives, he discovers a mystery: when the brothers were children, their father disappeared without a trace. No goodbye, no explanation, just an absence that has influenced three generations. Tom has explored his family history before. In “A Family Affair” (2015), he examined the legacy of an emotionally elusive mother. In “Between Brothers”, he turns to his father and uncle. He takes them on a road trip without a clear destination, in search of traces of a man who deliberately left none behind. En route, it becomes clear that the man who disappeared has left more than just questions. He has left a blueprint for how men in this family withdraw and retreat, each in their own way. The film Between Brothers won the Dutch Focus Award at the Movies that Matter 2026 festival in The Hague (Netherlands).
After the screening, there will be a Q&A with the director Tom Fassaert in English.
--
This screening is part of the IncluCine 2 project, implemented within the Collaborate to Innovate scheme under the auspices of Europa Cinemas and funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme.
