The work of CaSFFA is largely conducted in Naarm (Melbourne), Meanjin (Brisbane), and Tarntanya (Adelaide), on the unceded lands of the Kulin nations, the Jagera and the Turrbal peoples, and the Kaurna peoples of the Adelaide Plains.
Wherever we are located, we acknowledge and pay our respects to all Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land.
Welcome to the 13th edition of the Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia, proudly sponsored in 2025 by Škoda. Presenting some of the finest new works from Czech and Slovak cinema, alongside a collection of Czechoslovak classics, we’re delighted to return to Melbourne and Adelaide, and to make the trip to Brisbane—CaSFFA’s first edition in the Sunshine State since 2017!
As with every year, our program is shaped around a central theme. This year, our theme is Echoes. From historical relics to family lineages to the influence of filmmakers whose work continues to shape what comes next, the theme frames a range of cinematic stories and reflects on how art engages with the past.
At the centre of this year’s festival is a headline selection of contemporary films, including a curated line-up of international festival standouts. Among them is Caravan by Zuzana Kirchnerová, the first Czech feature in over thirty years to screen in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. We are delighted to present its Australian premiere on Opening Night.
Part of our pride is showing new works by emerging directors, whose creative promise becomes evident when seen on the big screen. This includes Marie Dvořáková’s World Between Us, Martin Kollar’s Chronicle, and the return of our school shorts program, featuring films from VŠMU, FAMU, and FAMO students. Last year’s program included a short by Katarína Gramatová, and this year we include her assured feature-length debut Promise I’ll Be Fine in our line up.
Among the lighter fare is the children’s fairytale Princess Goldenhair, and our star-studded closing night comedy, How Could This Happen to Us!?
As always, CaSFFA turns to the past. In partnership with the Melbourne Cinémathèque, we present a five-feature, two-short retrospective of Czech master František Vláčil at ACMI, including a 4K restoration of Markéta Lazarová, often cited as the greatest Czechoslovak film ever made.
It has also been some time since we showed the work of puppet master Jiří Trnka, and we are delighted to return this year with digital restorations of The Czech Year and Old Czech Legends.
We hope that this offering of Czech and Slovak cinema, in our 13th year, resonates with all.
Artistic Director | Alexander Back
To showcase, celebrate and promote a contextualised range of classic and modern Czech and Slovak live-action and animated films to Australasian and expatriate audiences through a yearly, not-for-profit arts festival.
To encourage active participation in and from the Czech and Slovak communities for the advancement of their culture in Australasia.
To cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with Czech, Slovak and local businesses and cultural organisations.
The Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia (CaSFFA) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to showcasing the best films from the Czech and Slovak Republics and former Czechoslovakia. Founded in 2011 by Cerise Howard, Brendon Black, Linda Studena, Katrina Wilson O’Brien and Denisa Cross, the festival has run tenth editions in Melbourne and festivals in Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Australia-wide online. CaSFFA welcomes all audiences and considers itself more than just a regular film festival, having screened silent films accompanied by scores on the Melbourne Town Hall organ, Coburg Drive-In, artistic and historical exhibitions, and children’s events. We are also a source of news and information on Czech and Slovak films relevant to Australian audiences, so please sign up for our mailing list and follow us on our socials to keep in touch.
Artistic Director | Alexander Back
Finance Manager | Denisa Cross
Administrative Manager | Martina Smith
Marketing Manager | Amelia Leonard
Event Management | Iva Kingston | Daniela Tomecko
IT and Technical Manager | Ľubica Shannon
Philanthropy, Grants & Sponsorship | Vera Morgan | Denisa Cross | Jamie Tak | Lilliana Hajncl | Ľubica Shannon | Alexander Back
PR & Publicity | Amelia Leonard | Jacob Agius | Drew Baker | Petra Tomecko | Ioana-Lucia Demczuk
Community Liaison | Daniela Tomecko | Ľubica Shannon
Shorts Programmers | Jacob Agius | Amelia Leonard
Programming Support | Denisa Cross | Jacob Agius | Ľubica Shannon | Amelia Leonard | Jamie Tak
Copywriting | Amelia Leonard | Jacob Agius | Jamie Tak | Drew Baker
Logistics | Lilliana Hajncl | Ľubica Shannon
Festival Trailer | Sense Creative Agency | Petra Tomecko | Riley Achen-Donnelly
CaSFFA functions with collaborative involvement across all roles.
Alzbeta Tichonova, Andrea Redgrave, Anna Geislerová, Barbara Nováková, Barbora
Lochmanová, Benji Tamir, Branislav Gallo, Cerise Howard, Chloe Chan, Daniel Weller, David Whiteside, Denisa Cochran, Elena Vaculikova, Erika Paulinská, Eugenia Mocnay, Eva Rybovic, Folk Dance Group Liptár, Gabriela Acova, Gabriela Derer, H.E. Jana Tyrer, Kierra Merrigan, Hana and Professor Avni Sali, Igal Hodirker, Indra Adams, Ivana O’Mara, Jeremy Whiteside, Jiří Mádl, John Zika, Jonathan Shannon, Julie Zackova, Karolina Hrichova, Katarina Tomkova, Kristýna Gardášová, Lenka Allen, Lenka Veliskova, Lisa Safi, Luba Majerik, Lucas and Alyce Blanck, Lucas Blanck, Lucia Mižáková, Lucie Mazurková, Lucie Skaife, Lucie Khun, Ludmila Chudil, Maree Raftis, Marek Dusil, Marek Koutesh, Margareta Velichova Rebelos, Markéta Šantrochová, Marko Regalo, Marta and Matej Šútora, Marta and Jozef Rusin, Marta Kapusta, Martin Kabáč, Martina Povolní, Martina Vacková, Max Whewell, Mehdi El Ballaz, Mgr. Jana Kopanicova, Michal Demian, Miroslav Koman, Monika Kristl, Nicole Slovak, Nikoleta Tomecko, Nora Kovarčíková, Okan Safi, Olivia Flavell, Ondřej Hovádek, Patrik Tomecko, Pavel Tomecko, Pavel Vaclavik, Pavlína Muzikářová, Peter Denison, Peter Sourris, Sean Tayler, Silvia Panáková, Silvie Wundersitzova, Simona Vozárová, Škola Kengurka ZRPŠ – Slovak School Adelaide, Soňa Tomecko, Silvia Balažová, Sophie Bergogne, Steve Virgo, Tayla Kendall, Tereza Lee, The Zika Family, Tom Danby, Vardos Trio, Viktor Krištof, Viktor Schwarcz, Vladimir Buchtele, VodaFest, Zuzana Slováková, Zuzana Vasitch and all our FABULOUS PARTNERS, GENEROUS SPONSORS and WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS.