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 14th Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia, proudly sponsored by Škoda.
It is my great pleasure, as Founding Member and Head of Programming, to welcome you to another celebration of the remarkable cinema of the Czech and Slovak Republics. Fourteen years ago, CaSFFA began with a simple vision: to create a space where Czech and Slovak stories could be shared with Australian audiences through the universal language of film. Today, we proudly continue this journey across Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.
Our 2026 theme, Horizons, celebrates cinema’s ability to expand our perspectives, connect cultures and encourage us to look beyond the familiar. This year’s programme brings together contemporary voices and timeless classics, exploring stories of resilience, identity, friendship and shared human experiences.
We are thrilled to open this year’s festival with Invincibles, a powerful and uplifting story of resilience, friendship and determination that sets the tone for our Horizons theme. Among the many highlights of this year’s programme are Father, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last year, Flood, Slovakia’s submission for this year’s Academy Awards, and Chica Checa, recently featured in the Crystal Globe Competition at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
Audiences can rediscover timeless classics including Kristián and Men About Town, reminding us of the enduring power of great cinema, alongside many other contemporary features and cinematic treasures.
We are also delighted to continue our valued partnership with the Melbourne Cinémathèque with a special retrospective dedicated to legendary composer Zdeněk Liška, whose innovative scores helped define some of the greatest works of Czech and Slovak cinema. The programme includes the Academy Award-winning The Shop on the High Street, celebrating this remarkable cinematic legacy.
This festival would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, partners and supporters. My sincere thanks go to Škoda Australia, our Naming Rights Partner for the second consecutive year, for their continued commitment to celebrating Czech and Slovak culture in Australia. My heartfelt thanks also go to Sense Creative Agency for their creativity and support in bringing the festival’s visual identity to life, and to our cultural partners, funding organisations, donors, sponsors and venue partners whose generosity and collaboration make CaSFFA possible.
Finally, thank you to our audience. Whether you are joining us for the first time or have supported CaSFFA throughout its journey, your enthusiasm allows us to continue sharing the extraordinary stories of Czech and Slovak cinema.
On behalf of the entire CaSFFA team, welcome to the 14th Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia.
Enjoy the festival.
Denisa Cross
Founding Member & Head of Programming
Head of Programming | Denisa Cross
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.
TEAM CASFFA
Alexander Back
Daniela Tomecko
Denisa Cross
Ioana-Lucia Demczuk
Lilliana Hajncl
Ľubica Shannon
Patrick Tomecko
Vera Morgan
Festival Trailer | Sense Creative Agency
CaSFFA functions with collaborative involvement across all roles.
Alice Tabery, Alžběta Janáčková, Alzbeta Tichonova, Benji Tamir, Branislav Gallo, Cerise Howard, Dan Pánek, Denisa Cochran, Edita Růžičková, Elizabeth Phan-Roper, Eugenia Mocnay, Eva Rybovic, Filip Sali, Folk Dance Group Liptár, Frantisek Fidransky, Gabriela Acova, Gabriela Derer, Giuditta Giuffrida, H.E. Jana Tyrer, Hana and Avni Sali, Hana Flanderová, Igal Hodirker, Indra Adams, Ivana O’Mara, Jan Lengyel, Jeremy Whiteside, Jindřich Motýl, Jirka Pethart, John Zika, Jonathan Shannon, Julie Zackova, Karolina Hrichova, Katarína Kerekesová, Kristýna Gardášová, Lenka Allen, Lenka Veliskova, Lisa Safi, Lucas and Alyce Blanck, Lucas Blanck, Lucia Mižáková, Lucie Skaife, Ludmila Chudil, Maree Raftis-Zika, Margareta Velichova Rebelos, Marta a Matej Šútora, Martin Beinhauer, Martin Kabáč, Martin Růžička, Martina Povolní, Martina Vacková, Mgr. Jana Kopanicova, Michal Demian, Miroslav Koman, Nikoleta Tomecko, Nora Kovarčíková, Okan Safi, Olivia Flavell, Ondřej Hokr, Pavel Šmídmajer, Pavel Tomecko, Pavel Vaclavik, Peter Denison, Petr Kratochvíl, Silvia Panáková, Silvie Wundersitzova, Šimon Holý, Škola Kengurka SA, Soňa Tomecko, Sophie Bergogne, Steve Virgo, Tayla Kendall, The Zika Family, Tom Danby, Vardos Trio, Viktor Schwarcz, Visual Riders, VodaFest, Zuzana Černá, Zuzana Slováková, Zuzana Vasitch