The 25th edition of the International Documentary Film Festival One World (October 18 – 27, 2024 in Bratislava; October 28 – November 3 online) gives special attention to Slovak documentary films focusing on current social problems thanks to its competition section, while the program for film professionals, Impact Days, helps not only film projects to systematically work with impact campaigns.
Ten films are competing for the festival’s main prize in the section Slovakia and the Czechia for Human Rights, six of which are Slovak. Martin Pollack: Looking into the Abyss directed by Jaroslav Vojtek thematizes the Slovak National Uprising in Slovakia’s collective memory through the life story of the Austrian reporter and writer Martin Pollack. In the film The Question of the Future, Maroš Brázda follows a group of high school graduates who have decided to go to university abroad, while trying to understand what led them to this decision. The film Fakir, directed by Roman Ďuriš, tells the story of young Dalibor, who was born into a dysfunctional family and who tries to break out of generational poverty. In their film Hanging Without Walls, Jana Durajová and Lena Kušnieriková capture the multi-year reconstruction of the Slovak National Gallery and ask what is Slovakia’s relationship to cultural institutions. Daniela Meressa Rusnoková will present her personal film Grey Zone about premature births and the rescue of highly immature infants. Ms. President, directed by Marek Šulík, also the final film of the festival, observes Zuzana Čaputová during her five years in the presidential office.
In the Focus: Queer Joy section, the audience can see the short film House of Velvet by Ivana Hucíková and Igor Smitka about the Czech-Slovak ballroom scene. One World for Children section, intended primarily for children, includes the animated film Hello Summer by Martin Smatana and Veronika Zacharová. The World According to My Dad, directed by Marta Kovářová, in which she follows her father, a physicist and environmental activist Jiří Svoboda, will be shown at a special screening in the St. Vincent de Paul shelter. The festival also includes the screening of six films, which are the result of a year-long workshop for amateur filmmakers, My Street Films.
The festival continues its activities aimed at social change in films and other art forms. The Impact Days program will bring presentations or good practices, while selected projects also participate in a closed workshop aimed at social change.
Two discussions will be devoted to audiovision: Audiovision without Barriers focuses on inclusion in accessibility to film and art, while the role of documentary film in difficult times will be addressed in the discussion How do documentary filmmakers strike?
You can find more information on the website of the One World festival.
