CATRIN once again a partner of the Academia Film Olomouc festival
From April 28 to May 3, Palacký University’s international Academia Film Olomouc (AFO) festival will present a selection of today’s most compelling documentaries, inspiring guests, and a variety of complementary program. As in previous years, the Czech Advanced Technologies and Research Institute (CATRIN) is a proud partner of the event.
“When I learned that this year’s AFO theme is ‘a common language‘, it immediately occurred to me how crucial this is for science. Over the past century, science has become incredibly specialized, with each field developing its own language, yet today’s most significant discoveries arise at their intersections. Finding a common language is therefore a prerequisite for truly groundbreaking research,” said CATRIN Director Pavel Banáš.
For 61 years, AFO has been showcasing science as a natural part of life. This year, approximately 600 titles from around the world were submitted to the festival. Sixty-one documentaries are competing for the unique prize—a kaleidoscope by glassmaker Martin Hlubuček. In addition, audiences can look forward to films in non-competitive sections, bringing the festival’s total to 139 titles.
“We don’t view the festival merely as a film showcase, but as a platform for sharing, discussion, and exploring connections. Science isn’t isolated; it’s present in people’s stories, in the landscape, and in everyday decisions,” said program director Dominik Vontor.
Robert Petit, director of the film “Underland”, is arriving to Olomouc, as are an American filmmaker Erin Espelie, and a British volcanologist and filmmaker Clive Oppenheimer. Both will present their films “Ideas of Order” and “Vulcano Voices” in world premieres at AFO. The program will also feature projects at the intersection of film, science, and new media, such as “Hacking at Leaves” by Johannes Grenzfurthner and “Phenomena: When the Elements Dance”, directed by Josef Gatti. Guests will also include an American journalist Molly Webster and a choreographer Marika Hedemyr.
In addition to international guests, visitors will have a chance to meet, for example, Daniel Stach, Markéta Šetinová, Vojtěch Mýlek, Anežka Dašková, Prokop Pithart, and Daniel Kortus. The program will also feature other guests from across various fields—from science to media to the arts.
General admission is free, simply register on the festival website at https://afo.cz/.