CSFF Unforgettable Moments

What a Festival! 🎉

The 2025 Czech and Slovak Film Festival, Sydney was a resounding success!

Thanks to you - our amazing audience - and the generous support of our wonderful sponsors, this year’s festival was one for the books!

We showcased a colourful mix of films: from thrillers and heartfelt dramas to laugh-out comedies, documentaries, and delightfully quirky animations. And judging by the feedback (and the buzzing vibe all 5 days!), you loved it as much as we did.

The opening night feature, WAVES / Vlny, made a huge splash - our biggest night ever! Two cinemas sold out in no time, with 325 excited film lovers packing the venue. If Dendy had a 500-seat cinema, we’re sure it would’ve been bursting at the seams too. People were offering to buy tickets from strangers and even lining up at the door, hoping for a miracle no-show!

It wasn’t just about the films - our special events made the festival even more unforgettable!

Saturday was a jam-packed celebration of culture and fun, with something for everyone. Kids were all smiles at the Toy Tombola, generously sponsored by Happy Go Ducky, and delighted by beautifully hand-crafted gingerbread treats from Adris Gingerbread - each child receiving their own special piece. And for the adults (or anyone in need of a break!), a refreshing tea tasting in the afternoon added the perfect pause to a busy festival day.

But the highlight of the weekend? Without a doubt, the Q&A with our special guest Vica Kerekes following Sunday’s screening of THE CHAMBERMAID / Slúžka. Audiences were thrilled to not only enjoy her powerful performance on screen but also to meet the actress in person afterward, an unforgettable moment for many!

Jan Hřebejk’s closing night comedy STATE OF EMERGENCY / Výjímečný stav with bursts of laughter and a fun prize draw was the perfect finale to the 5-day packed event.

B E S T F I L M S A S V O T E D B Y Y O U

1st PLACE: WAVES / Vlny - 94.35%

2nd PLACE: WALTZING MATILDA / Tancuj Matyldo - 86.67%

3rd PLACE: THE CHAMBERMAID / Slůžka - 82.98%

4th PLACE: STATE OF EMERGENCY / Výjimečný stav - 78.33%

The least popular and controversial film: NOBODY LIKES ME / Nikdo mě nemá rád - 34.37%

90% of children and parents liked the animated remake of the popular Czech fairy tale THE PROUD PRINCESS / Pyšná princezna.

SOME OF YOUR COMMENTS ON THE VOTING CARDS:

WAVES/ Vlny (94.35%)

“Very enjoyable + with historical info mixed with comedy. It was fantastic! Thank you! “Loved it! Thank you!”

WALTZING MATILDA / Tancuj Matildo (86.66%)

“Excellent”

“Best”

“Tear Jerker”

THE CHAMBERMAID / Slúžka (82.98%)

„Amazing film depicting culture, history & life….FANTASTIC FILM!“

„Fabulous movie“

„Amazing acting“

STATE OF EMERGENCY / Výjimečný stav (78.33%)

“The best, I’ve seen! Excellent!” “5 Stars!”

“More comedies, please!”

HER DRUNKEUN DIARY / Zápisník alkoholičky (75%)

“5 Stars”

“Excellent!”

MIKI / Miki (71.43%)

“Excellent” “5 Stars”

“Bring #2, Thank you!”

“I look forward to MIKI II as this one did glorify him too much” … (Average Rating)

THE DORMANT ACCOUNT / Spiaci účet (55.56%)

“Great story, very well produced”

“Good but drawn out with blunt ending.”

NOBODY LIKES ME / Nikdo mě nemá rád (34.37%)

„Fantastic, very artistic, stylish, sophisticated, minimal dialog – enjoyed it“

„5 Stars!“

„Oscar material“

„Boring“

„Very poor!“

BEHIND THE CURTIAN OF HIGH MOUNTAINS / Za oponou velehor (85.71%)

Too small sample to be included in the overall rating

„Excellent“

„Dina is a legend“ + several hearts

A huge thank you to everyone who came, clapped, laughed, cried, and celebrated Czech and Slovak cinema with us - and to our incredible sponsors who made it all possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!