The Czech Republic participated at HÕFF film festival
04.05.2026 / 08:30 | Aktualizováno: 04.05.2026 / 08:37
The Czech Embassy participated at, and supported the The Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (HÕFF). This year, we presented the film A Journey to the Beginning of Time by Karel Zeman. Karel Zeman was a pioneering Czech filmmaker and animator known for blending live action with imaginative visual effects inspired by 19th‑century engravings and early cinema. His 1955 film A Journey to the Beginning of Time (Cesta do pravěku) follows four boys who travel backward through prehistoric eras, encountering dinosaurs and ancient creatures along the way. Combining models, animation, and documentary-style storytelling, the film is celebrated for its inventive visuals and educational tone, remaining a landmark in fantasy and adventure cinema.
The Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (HÕFF) is an annual genre film event held in Haapsalu, Estonia, each April. It offers a vibrant, city-wide celebration for fans of horror and fantasy cinema. It showcases a curated selection of new films, cult classics, and international works, with a strong focus on independent and art-house productions rather than mainstream Hollywood releases. As the only genre film festival in the Baltics that belongs to the Méliès International Festivals Federation, HÕFF connects to a global network of similar events and attracts notable filmmakers and guests. Over the years, it has gained international recognition for its unique atmosphere, premieres, and opportunities for audiences and creators to interact, making it a standout spring event since its founding in 2006 by the city of Haapsalu, the Haapsalu Cultural Center, and the Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF).
HÕFF 1
HÕFF 3
HÕFF 4