Festival Programme
The Army Film Festival is a festival of military films, featuring both documentaries and docudramas from the Czech Republic and abroad. It presents authentic stories, reflects on the history and present of the armed forces, and pays tribute to the courage, service, and sacrifice of soldiers. The Army Film Festival 2025 will take place from September 22 to 24 in Prague.
Day 1 / Sept 22
Opening Ceremony on September 20, 2025
Open-air cinema, Kinský Garden, Prague.
02:00 p.m. 05:00 p.m.
Family Afternoon in the Kinský Garden
Come with your whole family and experience the atmosphere of army life firsthand. You will see demonstrations of military equipment, practical close combat training demonstrations, practical first aid demonstrations not only for combat situations, and camouflage techniques. The entire programme will be presented by soldiers of the Czech Army.
05:00 p.m. 07:00 p.m.
Open-Air Podcast by Reflex "Padni komu padni"
Martin Bartkovsky, Oliver Adamek and Martin Brys
A popular podcast live under the open sky. Come and listen to an open discussion with interesting guests.
08:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m.
Karbala – Outdoor Screening
Poland / Bulgaria, 2015, 115 min., Directed by: Krzysztof Łukaszewicz
The film, based on a true story, depicts the deployment of Polish and Bulgarian soldiers in Iraq in 2004. When insurgents surround the city hall in Karbala, the unit is ordered to defend it at all costs – with supplies for only 24 hours. The film authentically portrays the reality of an asymmetrical conflict and the inner struggle of soldiers raised under the Warsaw Pact who must adapt to the conditions of modern warfare. For the Poles, it was the largest military operation since World War II.
Here you can see the location of the Opening Ceremony of the Army Film Festival 2025.
Day One / Monday, September 22, 2025
Atlas Cinema – Main Hall
08:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Film screenings for schools
Czech Republic, 2023/2024, Directed by: Petr Orozovič
Czech Mission – NATO Response Forces and Czech Mission – Czech Military Observers, Czech Republic, 2023–2024, 26 min., Directed by: Petr Orozovič
04:00 p.m. - 05:30 p.m.
Podcast I.
Have we woken up from the “end of history” slumber, or are we still dozing off?
A discussion on the state of armies and defense industries in Europe and within NATO. Are we truly full-fledged members of the Alliance? What is the real meaning of Article 5 in case of a threat, and what role can the Eastern flank play in addressing the Russia–Ukraine war? And how realistic is Ukraine’s future in NATO?
Moderator:
Maciej Ruczaj – Political scientist, former Ambassador of Poland to Slovakia. He works at the Center for Transatlantic Relations of CEVRO University.
Guests:
David Svoboda – historian at the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century
Jakub Landovský – political scientist and university lecturer, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic (2015–2019), Ambassador of the Czech Republic to NATO (2019–2024)
Lieutenant Colonel Gustav Lakoš – Commander of the 102nd Reconnaissance Battalion
06:00 p.m. - 07:30 p.m.
Czech Mission: Afghanistan – Lógar and Kabul
Czech Republic, 2008, 52 min., Directed by: Marek Vítek
In June 2008, a documentary was made about the activities of Czech soldiers in the Lógar province and at the base in Kabul. In Lógar, a documentary was produced about the PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team). In Kabul, they filmed a documentary about the Military Field Hospital.
After the screening, a discussion will follow with the following guests:
Vlasta Parkanová – former Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic
Marek Vítek – director and author of the documentaries Czech Mission
Major Pavel Stehlík – coordinator of the oral history research project Memory of the Soldier – Stories of Foreign Operations, Military History Institute Prague
08:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Kilo Two Bravo / Kajaki
United Kingdom, 2014, 108 min., Directed by: Paul Katis, Czech subtitles
Afghanistan, 2006. British soldiers guarding the Kajaki Dam encounter a minefield during a routine patrol. Trapped without communication and with severely wounded comrades, a race against time for survival begins. This authentic drama, based on a true story, portrays the daily risks of deployment and the mental strength of individuals in extreme conditions.
After the screening, there will be a discussion with the filmmakers Paul Katis and Andrew de Lotbiniere.
Atlas Cinema – Small Hall
04:15 p.m. - 05:45 p.m.
Mariupolis
Lithuania / Germany / France / Ukraine, 2016, 96 min, Czech subtitles
A remarkable portrait of the everyday life of Mariupol’s residents at a time when the city stood on the brink of war. Instead of scenes of combat, we follow people who, despite the looming threat, try to live normal lives. A poignant and understated look at the absurdity of war. The director was killed in 2022 while filming in Mariupol.
06:15 p.m. - 07:45 p.m.
Unique documentaries from the archives of the Military History Institute in Prague
Heroes of Six Days, 1957, 13 min., directed by Jaromír Dvořáček
Winter Training of the Best, 1956, 12 min., directed by Jiří Ployhar
Crew on the Shield, 1956, 11 min., directed by František Vláčil
Self-Defense, 1958, 11 min., directed by František Vláčil
Escape, 1957, 15 min., directed by Václav Hapl
Crooked Mirror, 1956, 13 min., directed by Karel Kachyňa
08:15 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.
Full Force
Ukraine, 2024, 87 min., Directed by: Oleksandr Stratiyenko, Czech subtitles
The first feature-length film by the AEROTIM team reveals the work of the aviation component of the Ukrainian Ground Forces – the "wings" of the infantry. For the first time, helicopter pilots share their stories about the critical moments at the beginning of the war and the risky missions behind enemy lines. Unique aerial footage and interviews with the heroes create a dynamic and gripping view of the modern battlefield from a bird's-eye perspective.
Military History Institute Prague
04:00 p.m. - 05:30 p.m.
Unique documentaries from the archives of the Military History Institute in Prague
Blue Day, 1953, 23 min., directed by Vladimír Sís
Air Show 1955, 1955, 12 min., directed by Karel A. Krejčí
Jump from the Stratosphere, 1957, 12 min., directed by Vladimír Sís
Glass Clouds, 1957, 18 min., directed by František Vláčil
Day Two / Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Atlas Cinema – Main Hall
08:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Film screenings for schools
Czech Republic, 2023/2024, Directed by: Petr Orozovič
Czech Mission – NATO Response Forces and Czech Mission – Czech Military Observers, Czech Republic, 2023–2024, 26 min., Directed by: Petr Orozovič
04:00 p.m. - 05:30 p.m.
Broken Topol: The Economy of War
Moderated by:
Lenka Zlámalová – Expert on economics, politics, and business | Commentator & Analyst at Czech News Center.
Mirek Topolánek – Former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and former Chairman of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS).
Guests:
Tomáš Kopečný – Expert on the defense industry and security policy, former Deputy Minister of Defense and Government Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.
Miroslav Zámečník – Economist and publicist, Chief Adviser to the Czech Banking Association, long-time economic policy analyst, and member of NERV (National Economic Council of the Government).
06:00 p.m. - 07:30 p.m.
This is Congo
USA / Canada / DR Congo / Qatar, 2017, 93 min., Czech subtitles, Directed by: Daniel McCabe
Through the stories of four characters, the documentary portrays Congo as a country full of contrasts – with breathtaking nature yet torn apart by ongoing violence. The film reveals the current reality of a nation still haunted by its bloody past.
After the screening, a discussion will follow with the following guests:
František Šulc – First Deputy Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic
Marek Vítek – Director and author of the Czech Mission documentaries
Petr Janoušek – Researcher at the Historical-Documentation Department of the Military History Institute Prague
08:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
13 days, 13 nights
France / Belgium, 2025, 111 min, original version with Czech subtitles
Directed by: Martin Bourboulon
Kabul, August 15, 2021. Based on a true story. As U.S. troops withdraw from Afghanistan, the Taliban launch an attack on the capital. They seize control, and the entire city of Kabul plunges into utter chaos. Thousands of terrified Afghans flee to the last safe haven – the French embassy – where Commander Mohamed Bida and his elite team are securing the perimeter. Trapped inside the compound with hundreds of civilians, Bida must negotiate with the Taliban to organize an evacuation convoy.
With the help of Eva, a French-Afghan humanitarian worker, he races against time. In just a few days, it will be too late to escape. They must reach the airport — or be swallowed by the rising inferno in Kabul.
Gallery of Karel Vachek
08:16 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Full Force
Ukraine, 2024, 87 min., Directed by: Oleksandr Stratiyenko, Czech subtitles
The first feature-length film by the AEROTIM team reveals the work of the aviation component of the Ukrainian Ground Forces – the "wings" of the infantry. For the first time, helicopter pilots share their stories about the critical moments at the beginning of the war and the risky missions behind enemy lines. Unique aerial footage and interviews with the heroes create a dynamic and gripping view of the modern battlefield from a bird's-eye perspective.
Atlas Cinema – Small Hall
04:01 p.m. - 06:00 p.m.
Cold Case Hammarskjöld
Denmark / Norway / Sweden / Belgium, 2019, 128 min., Directed by: Mads Brügger
The mysterious death of UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld in 1961. Was it an assassination? Danish documentarian Mads Brügger searches for the truth in a unique blend of detective story, spy thriller, and documentary. The result is a disturbing mosaic of speculation, clues, and shocking connections.
06:30 p.m. - 08:00 p.m.
Unique documentaries from the archives of the Military History Institute in Prague
Two Men and a Balloon, 1959, 28 min., directed by Pavel Háša
Pearl Hunters, 1957, 13 min., directed by Oldřich Holíček
The Most Beautiful River, 1964, 14 min., directed by Václav Hapl
Man Does Not Die of Thirst, 1970, 22 min., directed by Václav Hapl
08:15 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.
The Siege of Jadotville
Ireland / South Africa, 2016, 108 min., Directed by: Richie Smyth
The story of a unit of Irish UN soldiers who, during a peacekeeping mission in Africa in 1961, were betrayed and left at the mercy of mercenaries. With no combat experience, they face overwhelming odds and must decide whether to surrender or fight to the last breath. The event was suppressed for decades, and the unit was only exonerated in 2005. A gripping drama about honor, courage, and forgotten heroes.
Military History Institute Prague
04:00 p.m. - 05:30 p.m.
Unique documentaries from the archives of the Military History Institute in Prague
The Cup from New York, 1964, 28 min., directed by Jiří Sobotka and Ivan Koudelka
In Front of Everyone's Eyes, 1965, 35 min., directed by Václav Hapl
A Memory of Three Shots in a Czech Forest, 1966, 20 min., directed by Ivan Balaďa
Day Three / Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Atlas Cinema – Main Hall
08:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Film screenings for schools
Czech Republic, 2023/2024, Directed by: Petr Orozovič
Czech Mission – NATO Response Forces and Czech Mission – Czech Military Observers, Czech Republic, 2023–2024, 26 min., Directed by: Petr Orozovič
04:00 p.m. - 05:30 p.m.
Podcast – Gift for Putin: Live from the Frontline
What is the situation directly on the Ukrainian frontline? The head of the Gift for Putin project, Martin Ondráček, will connect with soldiers who are fighting right on the front line. And you will have the chance to ask them whatever you want.
Host: Martin Ondráček
Moderator: Marek Vítek
06:00 p.m. - 07:30 p.m.
Armadillo
Denmark / Sweden, 2010, 100 min., Czech subtitles Directed by: Janus Metz
In February 2009, a group of Danish soldiers arrived at the Armadillo base together with documentary filmmaker Janus Metz. For six months, he filmed the lives of soldiers deployed less than a kilometer from Taliban positions. The result is a raw, authentic war drama that has won numerous international awards.
08:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Hyena Road
Canada, 2015, 120 min., Czech subtitles Directed by: Paul Gross
Southern Afghanistan, Kandahar Province. In the heart of hostile territory, Canadian forces are building a vital road – nicknamed Hyena Road. The film captures the daily reality of soldiers and the clash of two very different worlds: Western thinking and Afghan culture, rooted in blood feuds and tribal rules. An intense war drama about courage, uncertainty, and moral dilemmas in a conflict without clear rules.
Atlas Cinema – Small Hall
04:15 p.m. - 05:45 p.m.
Character: Athlete
Czech Republic, 2024, 50 min., Czech subtitles Directed by: Radan Šprongl
During the war in Ukraine, over 400 athletes were killed and hundreds of sports facilities were destroyed. The documentary offers testimony on how Ukrainian sports are coping with the war – through the stories of the bereaved, athletes returning from abroad, and a swimmer who, despite all obstacles, is preparing for the Paris Olympics.
06:15 p.m. - 07:45 p.m.
Unique documentaries from the archives of the Military History Institute in Prague
Operation XYZ, 1965, 19 min., directed by Rudolf Krejčík
The Story of Kalevi Liiva, 1967, 22 min., directed by Ivan Balaďa
Five Letters of Karel Hiršl, 1968, 25 min., directed by Rudolf Adler
Cemetery Without a Name, 1963, 22 min., directed by Ivan Balaďa
08:15 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.
Sumertime in Ukraine
Ukraine, 2025, 82 min., Czech subtitles Directed by: Volodymyr Tychyj
Dokument z produkce Babylonʼ13 sleduje zahraniční dobrovolníky, kteří bojují v řadách Mezinárodní legie Obranného zpravodajství Ukrajiny (GUR). Film přibližuje jejich výcvik, nasazení i vzájemná pouta, která vznikají během války. Silné výpovědi a autentické situace ukazují odvahu i motivaci těch, kdo se rozhodli bojovat za svobodu cizí země.
Military History Institute Prague
04:00 p.m. - 05:30 p.m.
Unique documentaries from the archives of the Military History Institute in Prague
Letter from the Front, 1956, 13 min., directed by František Vláčil
Shooting Competitions in Beijing, 1956, 19 min., directed by František Vláčil
Minutes in Paris, 1957, 15 min., directed by Vladimír Sís
They Took Me as a Soldier Boy, 1968, 15 min., directed by Rudolf Adler
Helenas, Ferdinands and …, 1965, 25 min., directed by Karel Forst
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