Three questions for Cinematik Executive Director Tomáš Klenovský on the 20th anniversary year

What are your expectations for the 20th anniversary edition? What wish would you like to express to the festival?

Regardless of the anniversary, we want to bring the best films to Piešt’any every year and at the same time something new that will push the festival further – for all those who decide to come. The biggest victory for us will be when we are free to do this work for years to come.

What’s your most memorable moment in the festival’s history that you won’t forget?

The most intense moments have always been the first time something happened. On the thirteenth of September 2006, we screened the first ever Cinematik film – and it was a dream come true for us. A few years later, we filled the hall of the House of Arts in Piešt’any for the first time and realized that the dream was worth having and pursuing. It is impossible to forget the sight of that crowded hall. Some of the powerful experiences include the launch of digital accreditations, the opening of the big tent in front of the House of Arts, or being able to have the festival during the covid. Each of these moments was special for us.

The organisation of the festival has changed significantly over two decades – what have been the biggest challenges and what do you consider the biggest success in the history of Cinematik so far?

A lot has changed in twenty years. We started as a five-day event with 58 films. Many may not remember that digital prints didn’t exist back then – films came on 35mm reels, weighed around 40kg and were shipped to us by couriers from all over Europe. We interpreted them directly in the hall in little “stations” that the audience borrowed at the entrance. Today’s technical level of projection and the way films are distributed are completely different. But so much more has changed. Over the course of those 20 years, the ARTA cultural centre has been established, the old Power Plant has been renovated, which has expanded our projection possibilities. And we have also managed to revive the square in front of the House of Arts, where our popular Cinematik Lounge with discussions and other events stands today.