The Official selection

First in the trio of selected films is the period drama Waves (CZ, SK) by Jiří Mádl. In his third feature film, a former Czech Film Springboard project, the actor-turned-director Jiří Mádl (To See the Sea, On the Roof) delves into the dramatic events of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia from the point of view of journalists working in the International Editorial Office of Czechoslovak Radio. The film is a co-production between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Monika Kristlová of the Czech production outfit Dawson Films is the main producer and the co-producers include Slovak Wandal Production and Czech Television. The film premiered at the 2024 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) as a part of the Special Screenings section, where it garnered the Právo Audience Award and also the Blue Cube Award awarded by the energy company innogy. Waves also represent the Czech Republic as the official submission for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The Czech Film Fund supported the film with the amount of €620,000. This film is part of the "Oscar on Skis" section at Les Arcs, which highlights European entries vying for the Best International Film award.

Another selected film is Living Large (CZ, SK, FR), a colorful puppet animation by Kristina Dufková, addressing the topic of teenage overweight in a sensitive coming-of-age story based on the book by French author Mikaël Ollivier was selected for the ECFA Competition Programme. The film premiered at Annecy IAFF earlier this year and garnered the Contrechamp Jury Award, one of the two prizes awarded in the Contrechamp competition, which complements the Official Competition. The film was also awarded at the SCHLINGEL International Film Festival for children and young audiences and nominated for the European Film Award. Living Large is produced by Matěj Chlupáček of Barletta and co-produced by Czech Television, NOVINSKI (SK), and Novanima Productions (FR). The Czech Film Fund supported the film with the amount of €347,000.

And finally, the last selected film is the coproduction documentary Wishing on a Star by Peter Kerekes, a time-lapse travelogue that blends the authenticity of documentary filmmaking with the structured storytelling of drama. The fusion allows Kerekes to explore human experiences and cultural nuances through a richly textured cinematic lens. Kerekes' ability to merge documentary realism with dramatic narrative techniques has become a hallmark of his style, earning him critical acclaim and positioning him as a unique auteur. Kerekes, known for his award-winning works such as Velvet Terrorists and 107 Mothers, brings his signature blend of humor, empathy, and human insight to the film. The film’s layered storytelling and the seven-year dedication to capturing its protagonists’ journeys underscore the meticulous craftsmanship and commitment. Wishing on a Star is a co-production between Italy, Slovakia, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Croatia, co-produced by Artcam Films for the Czech Republic. The film has been supported by Fondo Audiovisivo FVG, MiC (Ministero della Cultura), Eurimages, Slovak Audiovisual Fund, Czech Film Fund (minority support amounting to €40,000), Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission, South Moravian Film Fund, Creative Europe –MEDIA, TAICCA. Wishing on a Star by Peter Kerekes: A Slovak-Czech production, this film is showcased in the festival's "Hauteurs" section, which emphasizes cinematic artistry and creative storytelling. It reflects the rich collaboration between the Czech and Slovak film industries, delving into intricate narratives and character development.

The Work in Progress

The Work in Progress program at the upcoming Industry Village Les Arcs, a presentation of European projects in post-production, will host The Spring by Ivan Ostrochovský. produced by Ivan Ostrochovský, Albert Malinovský and Katarína Tomková of Punkchart films (SK), along with Pavel Strnad of Negativ (CZ), and co-produced by Proton Cinema (Hungary), Slovak Television and Radio, Czech Television.

Czech Partnership with Les Arcs

The Czech Film Fund continues its long-term partnership with Les Arcs Film Festival and will bring to France producers well-experienced in international co-productions: Alzběta Janáčková of Silk Films and Silvie Michajlova of FILM KOLEKTIV. The collaboration with the festival should bolster the Czech Republic's involvement in producing quality and potentially successful European films and aid Czech professionals in creating close collaborations in this area.

About the festival

The Les Arcs Film Festival is an annual celebration of European cinema, held in the French Alps at the Les Arcs ski resort. Established in 2009, it has become a prestigious platform for showcasing European filmmakers and fostering collaborations. The festival's unique setting combines the beauty of a winter sports destination with the artistic allure of independent cinema.