Due to a huge amount of interest from the Czech community, for the first time since the festival’s inception, the opening film was screened simultaneously in two seperate sold-out cinemas. After speeches by the Consuls-General and the Festival Director Ika de Detrich, the feature-length film "Vlny / Waves", directed by Jiří Mádl was screened. The historical drama revolves around the story of the events of 1968 through the eyes of journalists at Czechoslovak Radio. The animated short "Ježek / The Hedgehog" directed by Daniela Hýbnerová was played before the main film.

Film lovers would have undoubtebly welcomed having the opportunity to see other films that made up the rich program of this year’s festival, which the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Sydney is a long-term supporter of. 

For more information about the festival: Czech and Slovak Film Festival in Sydney

The Consul-General of the Czech Republic Mrs Zuzana Slováková durnig her speech at the Opening Night of the Czech and Slovak Film Festival in Sydney