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The International Film Festival Art Film traditionally opens with a festive opening ceremony held in the unique setting of Kunsthalle in Košice. Distinguished guests, filmmakers, artists, and festival partners gather here to mark the beginning of a week filled with outstanding cinema and inspiring encounters.
While the ceremony is primarily reserved for invited guests, the public has a unique opportunity to experience the film atmosphere right at the red carpet – one hour before the ceremony begins.
Come and witness the arrival of film stars, capture unforgettable moments, and be part of the opening night of Slovakia’s premier film event.
invitation only
International Film Festival Art Film commences annually with a joyous opening ceremony. Distinguished guests, filmmakers, artists, and partners of the international film festival have the opportunity to immerse themselves in this unforgettable atmosphere and captivating program, hosted at the Kunsthalle in Košice. While the program is primarily designed for invited guests, the public can also relish the chance to catch a glimpse of the film stars by arriving one hour prior to the ceremony and witnessing their walk on the red carpet.
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Východisco has become synonymous with genre-blending dance nights and will bring its distinctive musical selection to IFF Art Film. From infectious house music and darker shades of italo wave to club-oriented old and new disco, indie dance, and delightfully eccentric fairground-inspired sounds, their sets move effortlessly across styles and moods.
Their Balearic-inspired sound merges tropical rhythms and percussive grooves with the atmosphere of seaside sunsets. Refusing to play it safe, Východisco deliberately avoids genre boundaries and any trace of predictable mainstream entertainment. Instead, they deliver a sophisticated yet explosive mix that compels movement regardless of personal musical preferences.
Their DJ sets celebrate eclecticism, where nostalgia for analogue synthesizers meets the pulse of the contemporary club scene. It is an experience designed to pull audiences out of the cinema and transport them to an imaginary beach party in the courtyard of Tabačka.
Forget formulaic radio playlists and prepare for a night where every track has its own identity. For Východisco, music is a space of absolute freedom and joy — equally suited to sunset drinks as it is to long nights on the dance floor.
10% discount for Cinepass and Accreditation holders
Discover Košice through the eyes of locals. Join a guided walk filled with stories, history, architecture, memorable characters, and hidden gems that you won't find in ordinary guidebooks. Experience the city's unique atmosphere, explore its past and present, and uncover its authentic spirit with the passionate guides of Local Nomad.
Ceremonial awarding of the festival's honorary prizes with the participation of the general public in the park Kulturpark.
This year’s laureate of its honorary Actor’s Mission Award is the exceptional Slovak actress Anna Šišková - one of the most distinctive acting personalities of her generation, a Czech Lion winner and a two-time recipient of the Slovak DOSKY theatre award.
Anna (Anka) Šišková was born on 30 June 1960 in Žilina and grew up in the Vrátna Valley near Terchová, where her parents managed a hotel. After graduating from secondary school, she studied at the Faculty of Education in Trnava. During her studies, she became a member of the drama ensemble of the Jonáš Záborský Theatre. She subsequently pursued acting professionally, first at the Theatre for Children and Youth in Trnava (now the Ján Palárik Theatre), and from the 1990s as a permanent member of the ensemble of Astorka Korzo ’90 Theatre in Bratislava, where she continues to perform to this day.
She gained significant international recognition for her portrayal of Mária in the Czech-Slovak film Divided We Fall (Musíme si pomáhat, 2000), directed by Jan Hřebejk. For this performance, she won the 2001 Czech Lion Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Three years later, in 2004, she received another Czech Lion nomination for her supporting role in Cruel Joys (Kruté radosti, 2003), directed by Juraj Nvota. Her most recent Czech Lion nomination came in 2018 for her supporting role in Filthy (Špina, 2017), directed by her daughter, Tereza Nvotová. For the same performance, she was also nominated for the Sun in a Net Awards in the category of Best Supporting Actress.
Anna Šišková’s notable film work also includes Landscape (Krajinka, 2000) and The City of the Sun (Slnečný štát, 2005), both directed by Martin Šulík, as well as numerous other Slovak and Czech film and television productions.
Alongside her film work, Anna Šišková has long been one of the leading actresses at the Astorka Korzo ’90 Theatre. For her exceptional performances at this theatre she has received two DOSKY Awards – the Slovak theatre prize of the season: in 2001 for the role of the Young Woman in Neil LaBute’s play Bash, and in 2003 for the role of Celia in T. S. Eliot’s play The Cocktail Party. Her long and consistent stage work places her among the most highly regarded theatre actresses of her generation.
Anna Šišková is the mother of actress Dorota Nvotová and director and actress Tereza Nvotová, who has gained international acclaim for the films Nightsiren (Golden Leopard in the Cineasti del presente section, Locarno IFF 2022) and Father (Bronze Horse for Best Film at the Stockholm IFF 2025, with last year’s Actor’s Mission laureate Milan Ondrík in the lead role). The family thus represents one of the most distinctive creative lineages in contemporary Slovak cinema.
“Anna Šišková is one of those acting personalities who have brought to Slovak and Czech cinema an exceptional combination of fragility and inner truth. Both her film and theatre work are characterised by a quiet, unsentimental approach to the character – an acting style that has not given itself over to effect, but to authentic experience and the small details of humanity. Whether in the iconic role of Mária in Divided We Fall, for which she won the Czech Lion and which was nominated for an Academy Award, or in dozens of roles at the Astorka Korzo ’90 Theatre and in the films of Juraj Nvota and Martin Šulík, Anna Šišková proves that great acting does not need grand gestures. By presenting the Actor’s Mission Award, IFF Art Film honours not only her specific roles, but above all the attitude with which she approaches the acting profession – as a calling that connects generations of audiences on both sides of the border,” said the festival’s artistic director, Martin Palúch.
MASTERCLASS: The Vertical Drama Phenomenon – A New Language of Audiovisual Storytelling
only in Slovak
In his presentation, Peter Neveďal will explore not only the technological aspects and dramaturgy of vertical series, but also the psychology of today’s viewer, who increasingly experiences the audiovisual world through a mobile phone. He will present the production process, distribution possibilities, and the ways creators approach the composition of vertically shot scenes.
ART FILM INDUSTRY is financially supported by the Audiovisual Fund
Slavomír Duchovič is a courageous hiker who set out on an 82-day journey along Slovakia’s longest hiking trail as part of his struggle to overcome addiction. His remarkable story is captured in the documentary Via Slovakia, which was screened at IFF Art Film in 2023.
The event will also feature a discussion with Slavomír Duchovič about his journey across Slovakia, the challenges he has faced in life, overcoming addiction, and the making of both the book and the film. The book Via Slovakia will be christened by Lucia Janičová, a scientist and the first Slovak woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Her documentary Everest: Mother Mountain will have its Slovak premiere at IFF Art Film 2026.
TV JOJ is once again coming to the Art Film IFF with a popular autograph session of presenters and actors from the series. You can look forward not only to signing autographs, but also to sharing photographs and the extremely good atmosphere that the autograph session has brought to Košice for several years in a row.
Mike Parker returns to Tabačka!
Since the age of 17, Mike Parker has toured extensively across Europe and the United States, performing countless concerts and appearing at festivals from New Orleans to Estonia. He has released four albums, with critics describing his music as “a brilliant synthesis of all musical genres” and “a blend of post-bop, indie rock, avant-garde and touches of modern classical music,” drawing influences from Led Zeppelin, John Coltrane and David Bowie to Thelonious Monk, Maurice Ravel and A Tribe Called Quest.
For his latest project, the Mike Parker Trio, he is joined by long-time collaborators Wojtek Lichtanski on alto saxophone and Max Olszewski on drums. Their repertoire features primarily Parker’s original compositions alongside selected works by some of his favourite artists.
Don’t miss their live show on 20 June at Tabačka’s Courtyard!
in Slovak only
In his masterclass, Slavomír Duchovič will guide us through a journey stretching 1,870 kilometres and, through concrete examples, demonstrate how to connect a passion for travelling with the creation of content that resonates with a wide audience.
about the movie:
He went out of his way to find a new one. The documentary film Via Slovakia tells the story of an extraordinary tourist Slavomir Duchovič, who discovers the treasures of Slovak nature and culture. In 82 days, he walked the longest hiking route in Slovakia – more than 1 870 km along the Slovak border. He experienced crises, reached the end of his tether, overcame fear numerous times, yet he stood up and kept going. The documentary depicts the natural beauty or adrenaline attractions the area has to offer, but it is also an interesting personal story of the main character, whose journey helped him to cope with addiction and a troubled past.
ART FILM INDUSTRY is financially supported by the Audiovisual Fund
admission 15 EUR / free for Cinepass holders, seat reservation required
only in Slovak
The glossary line-up of the popular TV JOJ show Seven will come live to Art Film fans and visitors. You can look forward to Marián Leško, Matej Adámy, Michael Szatmáry, Tomáš Hudák.
Of course, the show’s host, Elena Vacvalová, will also be there.
Come dance to a vibrant mix of global sounds, featuring Afrobeats & Amapiano, Deep House, and Smooth R&B.
Morning Session: June 21, 2026 (9:00 AM – 10:30 AM), Kulturpark
Jana & Kristína organize events that combine movement, aesthetics, and community. Their goal is to create intimate experiences where barre, yoga, and a welcoming atmosphere come together.
The events are designed for both women and men, individuals and couples, beginners and advanced participants — for anyone looking to experience something unique.
Program:
30 min Barre – a dynamic mat-based workout using body weight exercises
Short break (5–10 min)
30 min Yoga – a flowing mat-based practice combining physical postures with breathwork
Note: We recommend bringing your own yoga/exercise mat