Czech Competition

Every year, One World's national competition presents a rich array of documentaries on human rights issues. This year's lineup comprises nine films, each offering a unique perspective. Some investigate national icons, others tackle contemporary social challenges, whilst some cast their gaze towards the future.

Slovak director Viera Čákanyová's film essay, Notes from Eremocene, offers a singular cinematic exploration of the present through a futuristic lens. Distinctive in terms of both visuals and sound, the film explores new realms of cinematic expression, examining the profound impact of human civilisation on the planet's trajectory. Meanwhile, director Marta Kovářová takes a more direct approach to sustainability with The World According to My Dad, playfully engaging her scientist father in an inter-generational dialogue to advocate for his theory of a unified carbon tax.

Apolena Rychlíková, in collaboration with Saša Uhlová, embarks upon an exploration into the sustainability of working conditions for the second time, this time within the European context. In Limits of Europe, during her return trips home, the filmmaker explores the precarious labour situations plaguing Germany, France, and Ireland, shedding light on the social burdens borne by individuals who build their lives on this form of employment.

We are proud to present the distribution premieres of two films that cast a spotlight on two vastly different life narratives. The documentary Is There Any Place for Me, Please? chronicles the journey of a woman whose life was upended by a single moment, showcasing her resilience, personal fortitude, and unwavering determination to forge ahead. Meanwhile, Havel Speaking, Can You Hear Me? revisits the legacy of Václav Havel, with director Petr Jančárek crafting a touching portrait that captures the true essence of the iconic figure as he fulfils his last life-long dream: to make a film.

Films in category Czech Competition

Smiling man with headphones around his head.

Full-length documentary

Havel Speaking, Can You Hear Me?

Unpublished footage from the last 3 years of Václav Havel’s life in a personal portrait of the ageing ex-president who always put the public interest above his own.

Person with a transparent facial mask, dimly lit room.

Full-length documentary

Is There Any Place for Me, Please?

When 25-year-old Martina’s ex-partner douses her with acid, her world falls apart. She loses her sight, and her face and upper half of her body are badly burned. Step by step she learns to live with blindness and reclaims her life.

Person standing by the sea in winter clothing with waves and birds.

Full-length documentary

Limits of Europe

7 years ago, journalist Saša Uhlová described poor working conditions in the Czech Republic. In a follow-up to this project, she reports on modern forms of exploitation in Western Europe.

Three people looking down at a smartphone, viewed from below against a earth globe background.

Full-length documentary

The World According to My Dad

Artist Marta and her scientist father Jiří set out on a journey with the aim of not only saving the world, but also reaching a mutual understanding. The documentary is a humorous observation of a family dream, which is not always understood by the public.

Other Thematic Categories

Competitive Film Category

International Competition

The international competition features eleven titles, which includes premieres and acclaimed or award-winning films from other world festivals. These films, both in content and form, offer remarkable insights from both highly visible regions and countries that are often overlooked.

Competitive Film Category

Right To Know

The title of this competitive section speaks volumes about its thematic focus, centring on a dozen documentaries that address topical issues demanding a mass audience.

Competitive Film Category

Czech Competition

Thematic Film Category

Middle East

The Middle East and North Africa, often abbreviated as MENA, have always been areas of focus for One World. In these regions, there are always numerous pressing issues that compel filmmakers to capture them on camera, whether it's the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the status of women in Iran and Syria, or the situation in Yemen or Lebanon.

Thematic Film Category

Searching For Freedom

The category Searching for Freedom has long been a cornerstone of One World. This year, we decided to reintroduce it into the program, but with a twist: our understanding of freedom has now been expanded to encompass a broader spectrum.

Thematic Film Category

Identities

Films in this category address the process of searching for and defining one's own identity in various ways. They emphasise that identity is not bound by set limits or predefined boxes.

Thematic Film Category

Communities

Films in this category explore the diverse community experiences of contemporary society. It’s precisely communities – groups interlinked by various shared circumstances and bonds – that play a significant role in shaping society, perhaps even evolving into a new form of family — or perhaps acting as a “second family” has always been among the functions of any community?

Thematic Film Category

Structures of Power

The entrenched hierarchy of social status, in which the rich and powerful rule from the upper echelons whilst the marginalised and disenfranchised are stuck at the bottom of the barrel, remains a sad constant of our society. In this year's selection of top ten films exploring the rule of law and its exploitation, we witness the courageous endeavours of individuals and collectives striving to break through the usurping structures of power.

Thematic Film Category

Docs For Families

One World also caters to its younger audience. Films shown within this category enable children to learn more about the lives of others their own age from different parts of the world.