While 2020 may have been a bumpy ride, that hasn’t stopped the Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia from hitting the big screen.
For the first time in the festival’s eight-year history, CaSFFA, as the festival is affectionately known, will take place at Village Cinemas Coburg Drive-In on the 28 November, 2 December and 5 December 2020.
This is one of the only film festivals to take place in a cinema this year in Melbourne, and the CaSFFA committee is delighted to be able to bring Melburnians some filmic jewels from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
CaSFFA President Marcel Mihulka said the drive-in was sure to be an enjoyable experience for all.
“Whether this will be your first time at a drive-in or a trip of nostalgia, the festival promises to be a fun experience for audience members, ” Marcel said.
“Once you’ve found a spot to park, you tune into a radio station for audio, order food and beverages through an app, and then enjoy watching the films on a 33-metre wide screen.”
“We are delighted to be able to run the festival in-person, in a secure environment respecting social distancing, and other COVID-19 measures that makes CaSFFA 2020 a safe place for you to view some fine films outside of your house.”
CaSFFA Artistic Director, Eleanor Colla, said attendees would be transported to the other side of the world.
“On Saturday, 28 November, join us on a trip through the countryside where we follow a young couple whose relationship is on a knife’s edge. Listen/ Poslouchej is the feature film debut from writer-director-producer duo David Lanka and Martin Mϋller,” Eleanor said. “The feature is preceded by Daughter/ Dcera, winner of the Czech Lion Magnesia Award for the Best Student Film (2019) and Czech nominee for the Academy Award for Best Short Film (Animated) (2019).”
“On Wednesday the 2nd we bring you the Czech entrant for an Academy Award nomination, Charlatan/ Šarlatán from famed director Agnieszka Holland. Presenting the life of Czech healer Jan Mikolášek, Holland intertwines the past with the present in a stoic, controlled, yet highly emotive form of storytelling.”
“Then the following week we’ll be visiting the Vysoké Tatry Mountains at the uplifting holiday film Happy New Year/ Šťasný Nový Rok.”
“This light-hearted picture revolves around families gathering at The Grand Hotel Kempinski for the Winter break, where chaos ensues. Fans of Czech and Slovak cinema will be pleased to see some familiar faces in the cast, and the feature film will also be preceded by the Slovak short film, Today is My First Date/ Dnes Mám Prvé Randevu.”
In addition to the Drive-In, CaSFFA is also running an online festival this year, with four quality films available for viewing in early December.
“Our online offering will include two classic Czech and Slovak films and two contemporary flicks,” said Eleanor.
“So whether you finally want to get out of the house or prefer to view films from the comfort of your home, this year’s festival will be sure to delight.”
For more information and ticket purchase: casffa.com.au
For media enquiries or to request screeners to review, call David Luna on 0449 906 229.
Access to past media articles here.
