About the festival

Whose idea was it?

The Film Sokolov was founded by the great support of Senator Jan Hadrava 10 years ago. The idea came from Premek Martinek and Tereza Hadravova, the former students of the grammar school in Sokolov and currently studying film studies and aesthetics respectively, whose aim was to bring a different kind of cinema experience to Sokolov.

What was the reaction?

A unique form of the event, which evoked more an underground event than a traditional film festival attracted attention and was unexpectedly successful, especially among the film professionals. Although the festival with all the supporting events has become very popular during the 10 years of its existence, it has always kept its authentic and spontaneous face.

Every year, the festival organizers welcome students of various film departments, prominent film theoreticians and filmmakers themselves but mainly the general public, offering them great film experience. The Film Sokolov tries to avoid the stereotypes of film clubs and concentrates on showing and discussing films that often represent a revelation to the Czech audience. Professionals but also the general public appreciate the unique dramaturgy. Not to mention the free entry, which certainly helps to gain the popularity of the general audiences.

Who should visit the Film Sokolov?

The Film Sokolov has been avoiding the strict rules of dramaturgy of the Czech commercial distribution as well as permanently used archives. It is focused on those who gasp for tasting a high quality film production, so rarely present in the Czech cinemas. The Film Sokolov devours the viewers with a lot of stimuli as well as opportunities for discussion. The Film Sokolov is also an itinerant seminar of some departments of Charles University (yes, if you attend this seminar, you`re going to get your credits), which makes the festival even more unique and popular among the other festivals in the Czech Republic.