Olomouc will once again become the centre of world science cinematography thanks to the Academia Film Olomouc (AFO) international festival, which takes place from 22 to 27 April. More than 600 films from 61 countries were submitted to this year’s competition, out of which the programme committee selected the best 67 films. They will compete for a financial prize and a trophy, an original glass kaleidoscope by Martin Hlubuček.
The international competition will present a journey into the depths of human existence, where scientific knowledge is intertwined with philosophical reflections on ageing, death, as well as physical transformation, which can turn into a personal struggle with one’s own body. For instance, Adonis (dir. Jérémie Battaglia) examines the changing perception of masculinity in contemporary society through the phenomenon of bodybuilding and the use of anabolic steroids.
Director Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian will come to Olomouc to present the documentary Doppelgängers³, which deals with the theme of space colonisation for the sake of the queer community. “This competition is unique in its diversity of formats and filmmaking approaches. The variety of topics and narrative modes opens up possibilities for the presentation of scientific research and science communication, making it an opportunity for all those seeking inspiration and new perspectives on the world, regardless of age or life experience,” said assistant programmer Kristýna Dytrychová.
An aesthetic reflection on light as a scientific and artistic phenomenon is presented in Tracing Light (dir. Thomas Riedelsheimer). Its co-author Leslie Hills will personally present the film to the festival audience. Environmental and biodiversity issues are addressed in Animal Pride (dir. Rio Mitchell), focusing on the diverse relationships in the animal kingdom. “Although science has been observing queer behaviour in animals for quite some time, it has long been marginalised. The documentary brings this overlooked part of nature to life, challenging established ideas, and showing that nature is much more diverse than traditionally perceived,” added Dytrychová.
Czech & Slovak competition reflects current social challenges
The film Doctor on a Trip (dir. David Čálek) documents scientific research into the psychedelic effects of ayahuasca in the context of the treatment of mental disorders. Stone Axe Path (dir. Tomáš Kratochvíl) reconstructs prehistoric rituals and ways of working with natural materials.
The philosophical film Lichens Are the Way (dir. Ondřej Vavrečka) explores the adaptability of these organisms in contrast to the hectic lifestyle of modern society. And the documentary Lapilli (dir. Paula Ďurinová) combines environmental themes with a personal story of mourning and the search for balance through nature.
Short films: diverse perspectives on science
The documentary The Bird in My Backyard (dir. Ryan Wilkes) follows the life cycle of fascinating creatures – hummingbirds.
Climate change in the context of cultural heritage is analysed in Nittaituq (dir. Camille Poirier, Mathilde Poirier, Flore Sergeant), while astronomy is the focus of Habbal et al. (dir. Sean Paulsen & Brad Wickham). “Audiences will observe both the universe and microscopic organisms, visit animals in the garden and on the computer, discover extinct islands, walk on glaciers, and face the effects of climate change. The varied range of themes is matched by their execution, where playful aesthetics and styles combining cinematographic art, animation, and archival footage merge,” noted the section’s programmer Magdaléna Jedličková.
First ever immersive media competition in AFO
A new competition section reflects the growing importance of immersive technologies. “We will bring together art, science, and social interaction. Visitors will be immersed in virtual worlds using headsets, thus becoming, for example, part of a collective experiment in genetics or an individual simulation of how a person suffering from a specific disease feels,” said programmer Dominik Vontor, introducing the innovation.
The Academia Film Olomouc festival, organised by Palacký University, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. It will commemorate this important anniversary with a unique retrospective and a publication co-produced by the UP Press. Before the festival begins, those interested can expand their horizons and make the wait more pleasant thanks to the Watch and Know platform. This online library is the ideal place for all those who want to educate themselves, discover interesting stories, and tune in to the film festival vibe which will await us in April. For more information, please visit the festival’s website.