Zlín Film Festival 2021: World Premieres, Famous Animation and Colorful Fireworks

The festival will officially start on June 1 at 10 a.m. with the world premiere of the Czech-Slovak-Hungarian family film Tonda, Slávka and the Magical Light. The film by director Filip Pošivač, created with puppet animation, conveys the message that one can fight with otherness in any form and that tolerance and responsibility are cards that can always be played with.

Actor Pavel Nový also lent his voice to one of the animated characters, to whom the president of the festival will award the Golden Shoe the same evening for his lifelong contribution to cinematography for children and youth. “I feel honoured, so the pleasure is on my side,” responded to the news about the award, Pavel Nový, adding that he is definitely not finished with creations for children. “After all, I’m supposed to be making another children’s movie this summer, in which I’ll be a mysterious character at the beginning,” revealed the popular actor.

The adult opening night gala will feature the world premiere of the Canadian film Billie Blue. “The summer story about a romantic first love will be presented in Zlín by the director Mariloup Wolfe, the author of the original and screenplay Sarah-Maude Beauchesne and the leading actress Lilliane Skelly,” added Markéta Pášmová, artistic director of the Zlín Film Festival.

After the end of the screening, the traditional opening fireworks with musical accompaniment will follow, this time dedicated to the centenary of The Walt Disney Company. Festival visitors can look forward to an impressive colorful show at the Zlín Congress Center, which will start the seven-day festival of film in Zlín, at 10 p.m.

In its film program, the festival will offer 295 films from 50 countries. They will focus on famous Czechoslovak animation or European web series for young people, this time coming from Scandinavian countries. The accompanying program of the festival will also be devoted to topics intended not only for the young generation.

„Among other things, for example, as part of discussions and a talk show called Život je takové, where we will talk to interesting personalities about their ups and downs in life.” said executive director Jarmila Záhorová and added that a varied program for the whole family is again prepared during the entire festival at a number of places in the city.