Press Release No. 2

10. 10. 2009


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Prague, October 10, 2009

35th Annual Ekofilm International Film Festival Ends in Český Krumlov

The Ekofilm 2009 35th annual international film festival, which is devoted to issues concerning the environment and our natural and cultural heritage, was held between October 5 – 11, 2009 in the cities of České Budějovice, Český Krumlov and Třebon. There was also a special mobile theater – the Cinemabus – which toured a number of smaller South Bohemian towns to screen festival films for local school children. The main theme of this year’s festival was the issue of climate change and related topics. The Czech actor Jaroslav Dušek was the host for this year’s Ekofilm.

A record number of films applied to compete in this year’s Ekofilm festival – there were a total of 225 from 40 different countries. 53 films were selected to participate in the final competition, which was judged by a six-member international jury that included the film director Alena Činčerová and architect Vlado Milunić, the film directors Michael Havas and Ilja Ruppeldt (New Zealand), Steve Lichtag, also a film director, and the playwright Jacgues Génot (France).

After the end of festival, selected films will be available to be borrowed from the festival’s archive maintained by the Czech Ministry of the Environment for non-commercial screenings – such as the Echoes of Ekofilm post-festival showings.

As in previous years, this year’s Ekofilm festival included a series of seminars and discussion forums with domestic and international guests, exhibits, concerts and other events accompanying the screenings of the competing films.

This year’s festival also drew a record number of visitors. The 2009 Ekofilm festival brought together more than 8,000 movie goers. This record turnout was partly the result of an expanded capacity and a wider range of accompanying events. As usual, the festival’s films were shown at the Kotva Theater in České Budějovice and at the Municipal Theater in Český Krumlov. New festival venues included the Kanzelsberger Book Store and the Velbloud Club in České Budějovice. Additional festival events were also held in the Old Salt House and at the E.ON City Center in České Budějovice and at the Prelate’s Palace and the J&K Theater in Český Krumlov.

The festival included an accompanying academic program, which was organized in partnership with students from the University of South Bohemia School of Science and took place on campus. A series of video presentations, combined with lectures and discussion forums were held at the school from October 5-8th.

The official festival closing ceremony and the presentation of awards took place on Saturday, October 10 at the Český Krumlov Municipal Theater. A repeat screening of the winning films took place on Sunday morning.

The 36th annual Ekofilm International Film Festival is scheduled to take place from October 4 -10, 2010.

More information about the festival can be found at: www.ekofilm.cz

The Ekofilm festival would not have been possible without the help of the following sponsors and media partners and the organizers would like to thank all of them for their generous support.

Partners: State Environmental Protection Fund of the Czech Republic; the ‘Environment’ Operational Program of the European Union; Severočeské doly. a.s.; E.on Česká republika, s.r.o.; Pöyry Environment a.s.; Toyota Motor Czech, s.r.o.; Aston služby v ekologii; Veskom, s.r.o.; Cyklo Jiřička; Michlovský, s.r.o.; Barx Energy s.r.o.; R&B Mědílek, s.r.o. / General Media Partner: Czech Television / Media Partners: Czech Radio; Czech Radio – České Budějovice; New Vision Media; Deník; Živa; Student Agency / Festival Sponsors: Czech Ministry of the Environment; South Bohemia Region; City of České Budějovice; City of Český Krumlov / Contributors: University of South Bohemia School of Science; Kotva Theater; Český Krumlov Municipal Theater; ECOMOVE International; WWF; Partnership Foundation; Kanzelsberger a.s. Booksellers; Friends of the Earth, Czech Republic / Organizers: Czech Ministry of the Environment; Ekofilm Association / Co-Organizers: South Bohemia Region; City of České Budějovice; City of Český Krumlov; University of South Bohemia School of Science / Festival President: Prof. Pavel Kovář, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague / Patrons: President of the South Bohemia Region; Czech Minister of Culture; Czech Minister for Regional Development; Czech Minister of Education; Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs; Czech Agriculture Ministry; Czech UNESCO Committee

Contacts: Veronika Dušková, Ekofilm Spokesperson, ekofilm.veronika@seznam.cz, 775 144 603; Jitka Radová, Creative Director, jitka.radova@mzp.cz, 267 122 432, 602 617 371; Barbora Pečová, Head of PR and Communications, Ministry of the Environment, barbora.pecova@mzp.cz, 267 122 294, 602 658 891; Jan Fischer, Project Producer and Coordinator, os-ekofilm@volny.cz, 602 225 808; Lucie Medková, PR and Marketing, ekofilm.lucie@seznam.cz, 603 759 360; Martina Matěnová, Academic Program Coordinator, ekofilm09@seznam.cz, 721975046