AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

Czech director and animator Šimon Koudela makes a visually ambitious first feature with Fichtelberg, a stylised historical fantasy inspired by Central European folklore and the legacy of the visionary filmmaker Karel Zeman. 

In 1547, young knight Petr Pětipeský is sent to the remote village of Urbach to oversee the construction of a bridge that promises access to ‘hidden mineral’ wealth. When his beloved Alma vanishes under mysterious circumstances, Petr defies local superstition and ventures into the shadowy workshops of Fichtelberg Mountain. There, he confronts strange figures and uncovers secrets that test his courage and beliefs. Blending live action with animation, Koudela conjures a world of handcrafted detail, digital artistry, and storytelling, merging them to tell a richly textured tale of love, fear, and transformation.

“Fichtelberg blends physical sets, live-action performances, and animated matte backgrounds to create a world that pays tribute to Zeman’s legacy.” — Jason Pirodsky, Prague Reporter