The festival is organized by the Canadian Film Institute in cooperation with the member states of the Delegation of the European Union to Canada. This year’s program features a rich collection of short films from EU member states, including dramas, animation, and experimental works that highlight the creativity of contemporary European cinema.

The Czech Republic has nominated a Czech short animated film Hurikán (2024, 13 min), which will be screened in the first block on April 24th at 6:30pm.

This black-and-white hand-drawn 2D animated short film, directed by Jan Saska, follows its pig-headed protagonist on a chaotic, darkly comic odyssey through Prague’s Žižkov district. Hurikán races to fetch a new keg of beer to save his favourite beer stand from closure — and to impress the bartender he has a crush on. Along the way, he encounters robbers, cops, and his own unrelenting thirst in a wild, noir-inspired adventure full of surreal humour and energy.

The film is based on Jan Saska’s original comic character. It was produced by Maurfilm (CZ) and Last Films (CZ), in co-production with Laïdak Films (FR), Artichoke (SK), and Aeon Production (BiH). Key crew includes script co-writer Václav Hašek, assistant director and head of animation Marek Pokorný, and voice actors Johana Matoušková and Patrik Velek.

Hurikán has received international acclaim, including the Audience Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, an Oscar-qualifying win, and screenings at major festivals such as Sundance and SXSW.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic cordially invites you to this annual EUSFF.

Admission is free.

Come and discover the best of European short filmmaking!

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Additional screenings in Canada will be held in:

Montreal (May 6–9) -  Cinéma du Musée

Winnipeg (May 23–26) - Dave Barber Cinémathèque

Quebec City (June 10–15) - Cinéma Beaumont