13 Edition - Sydney CZECH and SLOVAK FILM FESTIVAL

by FIlmInk Staff

From Venice to Cannes, the Sydney CZECH & SLOVAK FILM FESTIVAL returns to Dendy Newtown from 25–29 March 2026, presenting a dynamic lineup of award-winning films, gripping dramas, provocative true stories and crowd-pleasing comedies – many screening as Australian premieres.

• Opening the festival on Wednesday 25 March is the Venice-premiered drama FATHER/Otec, starring Milan Ondrík in what he describes as the most challenging role of his career. The emotionally powerful film makes its Australian premiere at the festival. Ondrík also appears in CERNAK/Černák, the gripping continuation of the saga of notorious mafia boss Miki.
• Cinema and literature lovers will be drawn to FRANZ, an evocative biopic of Franz Kafka from Oscar-nominated director Agnieszka Holland. For families, SUGAR CANDY/Cukrkandl delivers mystery, adventure and a fresh on-screen transformation from popular actress Tereza Ramba.
• The festival also tackles urgent social themes. PERLA / Perla explores exile, political persecution and personal sacrifice through the story of a Slovak dissident artist living in Austria. BROKEN VOICES/ Sbormistr confronts abuse of power in the wake of a notorious choir scandal, delivering a timely and unflinching examination of silence and accountability.
• Fresh from its Cannes World Premiere in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section, CARAVAN/Karavan stars Aňa Geislerová in a moving road movie about a mother and her disabled son travelling through Italy. The festival closes on a high note on Sunday 29 March with DREAM TEAM, a brand-new comedy inspired by a true story from the Sydney Paralympics.
• A curated selection of witty and daring short films, including award-winning works from Prague’s renowned FAMU and Bratislava’s VŠMU film schools, will screen before each feature.