Writer-director Jiří Mádl‘s Warsaw Pact Invasion drama Waves (Vlny) won Best Picture at the 32nd annual Czech Lion Awards, the Czech Republic’s version of the Academy Awards, held Saturday night at the Rudolfinum in Prague. The film, which revisits the turbulent events of 1968 in Czechoslovakia through the eyes of Czechoslovak Radio, emerged as the night’s biggest winner, claimed a total of six awards from its 14 nominations.
Mádl was recognized for both Best Director and Best Screenplay, while Tatiana Pauhofová and Stanislav Majer received honors for their supporting roles. The film also won Best Sound for Viktor Ekrt.
“We were prepared for any outcome tonight, and this one is a great result,” Mádl told reporters.
With 14 nominations, Waves had the potential to surpass the record set by Julius Ševčík’s Masaryk, which won 12 awards in 2017. “Theoretical chances existed, but the competition this year was very strong,” Mádl added.
The Best Picture award was accepted by producer Monika Kristlová, who emphasized the role of media in historical moments. “I appreciate that we still have public service media in the Czech Republic,” she said, referring to the film’s depiction of radio and television’s significance in 1968.
Following its success at the Czech Lion Awards, Waves is set for international release, premiering in French cinemas next week, with screenings also planned in Spain, Greece, and other countries. It is currently playing at festivals in the United States, with an offer for American distribution under consideration.
“It’s not just about signing a U.S. distribution deal; we want the film to reach audiences,” Kristlová told the Czech News Agency. “In the U.S., art-house and mainstream films are separated more distinctly than they are here.”
Pavla Beretová, Oldřich Kaiser take acting honors
Pavla Beretová won Best Actress for her performance in Year of the Widow (Rok vdovy), directed by Veronika Lišková. She portrayed Petra, a woman navigating life’s challenges after the sudden death of her husband.
Oldřich Kaiser received Best Actor for The Gardener’s Year (Zahradníkův rok), directed by Jiří Havelka. Playing a reserved and headstrong horticulturist, Kaiser won his fourth Czech Lion but his first in a leading role. He had previously won for supporting performances in Masaryk, Barefoot (Po strništi bos), and The Man with Hare Ears (Muž se zaječíma ušima).
Onstage, Kaiser thanked director Havelka for his trust. “And for believing we would actually finish the film together,” he added. “I also remember his directing note: ‘Olda, stay silent, or there will be no Lion.’”
Girl America wins three awards
The historical drama Girl America (Amerikánka), directed by Viktor Tauš, won three awards from its 13 nominations, securing Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Costumes. Inspired by true events, the film follows a young girl’s experience in institutional care during the communist era.
In television categories, the Best Series or Miniseries award went to Metoda Markovič: Hojer, a six-episode crime series from the Voyo platform. The Best Animated Film award went to Život k sežrání, directed by Kristina Dufková.
Czech Film Academy honors 29 titles
A total of 29 films competed in 22 categories at this year’s Czech Lion Awards, organized by the Czech Film and Television Academy (ČFTA). In the final round of voting, 228 out of 407 academy members cast ballots.
This year’s ceremony, hosted for the first time by YouTuber and moderator Karel “Kovy” Kovář, also included honorary awards. The Czech Film Academy recognized director, screenwriter, and actor Karel Smyczek for his outstanding contribution to Czech cinema. A posthumous award was presented to conductor Mario Klemens for his work in film music.
The Czech Lion Awards, established in 1993, are the country’s most prestigious film honors, recognizing achievements in Czech cinema and television.
Full List of 2025 Czech Lion winners and nominations:
Best Feature Film
- WINNER: Waves (Vlny)
- Girl America (Amerikánka)
- Our Lovely Pig Slaughter (Mord)
- March to May (Od marca do mája)
- The Gardener’s Year (Zahradníkův rok)
Best Documentary Film
- WINNER: I’m Not Everything I Want to Be (Ještě nejsem, kým chci být)
- Czechoslovak Architecture 58–89 (Architektura ČSSR 58-89)
- Limits of Europe (Hranice Evropy)
- Ms. President (Prezidentka)
- War Correspondent (Válečný zpravodaj)
Best Series or Miniseries
- WINNER: The Markovič Method: Hojer (Metoda Markovič: Hojer)
- Daughter of the Nation (Dcera národa)
- Sense of Tumour (Smysl pro tumor)
- Good Morning, Brno! (Dobré ráno, Brno!)
- No Big Deal (Vlastně se nic nestalo)
Best Animated Film
- WINNER: Living Large (Život k sežrání)
- Hurricane (Hurikán)
- Big Man (Velký Pán)
Best Director
- WINNER: Waves – Jiří Mádl
- Girl America – Viktor Tauš
- Our Lovely Pig Slaughter – Adam Martinec
- March to May – Martin Pavol Repka
- The Gardener’s Year – Jiří Havelka
Best Actress in a Leading Role
- WINNER: Pavla Beretová (Year of the Widow)
- Klára Kitto (Girl America)
- Lucie Žáčková (Mr. and Mrs. Stodola)
- Magdaléna Borová (Dry Season (Sucho))
- Tereza Ramba (Her Drunken Diary (Zápisník alkoholičky))
Best Actor in a Leading Role
- WINNER: Oldřich Kaiser (The Gardener’s Year)
- Jan Hájek (Mr. and Mrs. Stodola)
- Karel Martinec (Our Lovely Pig Slaughter)
- Václav Neužil (Smetana)
- Vojtěch Vodochodský (Waves)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- WINNER: Tatiana Pauhofová (Waves)
- Klára Melíšková (Girl America)
- Lucie Žáčková (Girl America)
- Karin Bílíková (Our Lovely Pig Slaughter)
- Denisa Barešová (Smetana)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- WINNER: Stanislav Majer (Waves)
- Jan Zadražil (After Party)
- Milan Ondrík (The Hungarian Dressmaker (Ema a smrtihlav))
- Antonín Budínský (Our Lovely Pig Slaughter)
- Martin Hofmann (Waves)
Best Screenplay
- WINNER: Waves – Jiří Mádl
- Girl America – David Jařab
- The Markovič Method: Hojer – Jaroslav Hruška
- Our Lovely Pig Slaughter – Adam Martinec
- The Gardener’s Year – Jiří Havelka
Best Cinematography
- WINNER: Girl America – Martin Douba
- The Markovič Method: Hojer – Ondřej Belica
- Our Lovely Pig Slaughter – David Hofmann
- Year of the Widow – Dušan Husár
- Waves – Martin Žiaran
Best Editing
- WINNER: I’m Not Everything I Want to Be – Alexander Kashcheev
- Girl America – Alois Fišárek, Krzysztof Komander
- The Markovič Method: Hojer – Tomáš Holocsy
- Our Lovely Pig Slaughter – Matěj Sláma
- Waves – Filip Malásek
Best Sound
- WINNER: Waves – Viktor Ekrt
- Girl America – Michał Fojcik, Michał Bagiński
- I’m Not Everything I Want to Be – Alexander Kashcheev, Michaela Patríková
- Our Lovely Pig Slaughter – Miki Kocáb, Peter Hilčanský
- Living Large – David Titěra, Viktor Ekrt
Best Music
- WINNER: Living Large – Michal Novinski
- Girl America – Jan Michael Prokeš
- I’m Not Everything I Want to Be – Oliver Torr, Prokop Korb, Adam Matej
- Our Lovely Pig Slaughter – Jonatan Pjoni Pastirčák
- Waves – Simon Goff
Best Production Design
- WINNER: Girl America – Jan Kadlec
- Daughter of the Nation – Henrich Boráros
- The Markovič Method: Hojer – Milan Býček
- Smetana – Jan Vlasák
- Waves – Petr Kunc
Best Costumes
- WINNER: Girl America – Jan Kadlec
- Daughter of the Nation – Jarmila Dunděrová
- The Markovič Method: Hojer – Vladimíra Pachl Fomínová
- Smetana – Andrea Králová
- Waves – Katarína Štrbová Bieliková
Best Makeup
- WINNER: Smetana – Martin Valeš, Jana Bílková, Martin Větrovec
- Girl America – Jana Dopitová, René Stejskal
- Daughter of the Nation – Lenka Nosková
- The Markovič Method: Hojer – Lukáš Král
- Waves – Adéla Anděla Bursová
Best Short Film
- WINNER: Buzz of the Earth (Bzukot Země)
- Butterfly Girl (Ani se nenaděješ a už se jmenuješ)
- The Sea In Between (Mezi námi moře)
Audience Award
- Waves – Jiří Mádl
Lead photo: Jiří Mádl receives the Czech Lion Award for Best Director courtesy Facebook / Český lev
