Zlin Film Festival

Event Description
 

The mission and goal of the Zlín Film Festival is the presentation of contemporary world films for children and youth in the Czech Republic as well as an exhibition of Czech films. An important aspect of the festival is not only the effort to entertain young audiences, but also – through film – to educate, expand their awareness of the outside world, and develop esthetic, social and moral perceptions.

2026 Call for Entries (Archive)

• Only films completed after January 1, 2024 will be allowed to participate in the competitive 
  sections.
• Animations of up to a maximum of 15 minutes in length may participate in the short 
  animations for children competition.
• Festival doesn´t accept short live-action films (with exception of student films).

Categories:

A) Competitions: 
International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category 
International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category (over 11 years of age) 
International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category (over 15 years of age) 
International Competition of Short Animations for Children (up to 12 year of age) 
Competition of European Feature Documentaries for Young Audience 
International Competition of Student Films Zlín Dog 

B) Non-competitive sections: 
World Children´s Film Panorama 
Beyond the Childhood Horizon 
Festival Laurels from around the World 
New Czech Films and TV Programmes 
European Series for Teenagers 
Top Teen Ten 
Neighbourhood 
Virtual Reality 
Retrospective and Profile Sections

Important information:

• Entry Form and Festival Regulations
• Deadline: 1 March 2026
  
  
  

2019 Festival Coverage

• The Clapperboard Salon's First Trip to Brussels
• Organizers of the Zlin Film Festival Presented Themes and Visual Concept of the 58th Festival

Festival Themes and Visual Concept:

The main theme of the 58th Zlín Film Festival is linked to this year's 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic. Complimenting this will be an Austrian movie section reminding of the fact that the southern neighbor is also celebrating the same anniversary. The visual concept of this year's festival is based on the playful monkeys of artist Petr Nikl.

The basic idea follows on last year's visual concept, which was inspired by the character of Pippi Longstocking, who also had a monkey. The original and playful graphic element of letters made up of silhouettes of monkeys has been brought to this year's concept.

NB: 2027 Festival Dates are tentative