Sportfilm Liberec Enters Its 28th Edition and Once Again Welcomes Competition Films from Around the World

Last year, nearly 400 films from 70 countries entered the competition. This year's edition promises strong Czech and international participation.

"Each year, we aim to be a place where sport, film, and powerful stories come together. Submissions are open for free at www.sportfilm.cz via the platform filmfreeway.com from May 1 to August 1, and we’re excited to see how many inspiring films will be submitted this year," says the festival director, Renata Balašová.

Films can compete in the following categories: Olympic Ideals, Documentaries, Sports Personalities, Feature Films and Series, Methodology and Education, and Czech Horizon. Submitted films must have premiered after January 1, 2020.

The main award last year went to Moses – 13 Steps, a film about Edwin Moses, the legendary hurdler and Olympic champion whose athletic and personal achievements influenced society and inspired generations.

The prestigious Ray of Courage and Hope award named after Věra Čáslavská was presented to ice hockey player Jakub Voráček for his work with a foundation supporting the fight against multiple sclerosis. The award was handed over by Baroness Alexandra de Coubertin, a direct descendant of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, and FICTS President Prof. Franco Ascani.

Sportfilm Liberec Offers Screenings Throughout the Czech Republic All Year Round

A standout addition to last year’s edition was the Festival Echoes project, which quickly gained popularity. This year-round format brings the winning and most audience-loved films from the festival to various towns and regions across the Czech Republic. Screenings are accompanied by discussions with well-known personalities such as climber Mára Holeček (Simply Beautiful), biker Michal Maroši, director Martin Vrbický (The Man Who Celebrates Every Day), and actress Judit Pecháček (Fair Play, The Last Race).

Sportfilm is moving even closer to its fans, and a new feature this year is a “film tour of echoes” across towns in the Liberec Region. Full-day programs have already been presented in Hrádek nad Nisou, Tanvald, and Semily. Before the end of the year, Sportfilm will visit Chrastava, Frýdlant, Česká Lípa, and other towns.

Festival director Renata Balašová sees the echoes as a highly valuable initiative:
"The Festival Echoes allow us to stay in touch with the audience throughout the year. We are delighted by the positive feedback and great interest, which confirms that quality sports films have their viewers not only in Liberec. Thanks to the support of regional and local governments, all screenings are free of charge."

A Jury of Renowned Figures

This year's expert jury will include, for example, documentary filmmaker Markéta Ekrt Válková (Mára Goes to Heaven), Czech Television dramaturge Martin Novosad, directors Tomáš Mašín (Brothers) and Radim Špaček (Golden Sting, The Kid), as well as Zdeněk Škoda from the Czech Olympic Academy and Jaroslav Černý from the Czech Film and Television Union.

Festival Returns to Iconic Liberec Venues and Expands to Prague

The main festival program will take place from September 23 to 28. The festival will kick off with the world premiere of a Czech film on September 23 at Slovanský dům in Prague. It will then move to Liberec, where it will take place at both traditional and new venues – such as the Technical University, Klub Lípa, Liebieg Palace, Vratislavice 101010, RoSa Community Center, and Clarion Grandhotel Zlatý Lev. Visitors can look forward not only to film screenings but also to an Olympic Games Paris 2024 exhibition, a Mental Health conference, and the traditional Sportfilm Golf Cup.

Due to high interest, this year's GALA EVENING with the announcement of the winning films will be held at the F. X. Šalda Theatre in Liberec on September 26, 2025. A key part of this year’s edition will also be the iconic POŠTA café, which will host a festival exhibition and serve as the Festival Center throughout the event.

Winning Films Advance to the World Finals in Milan

As in previous years, the winning films from Liberec will compete for recognition at the world finals in Milan, taking place October 7–11, 2025. Czech films regularly succeed here – last year, Gabriela Soukalová: The Truth Always Pays Off stood out, while among international entries, the German film The Greatest Maxim was a highlight. In previous years, successful entries included Zátopek and The Last Race.