The Dance Film Festival Prague returns to Kino Atlas from May 15–17, bringing the best in dance cinema to Czech audiences for its ninth edition. Since 2009, the biennial festival has established itself as a unique platform for films where movement, body, and choreography take center stage—not only in traditional performance recordings but especially in the innovative genre of dance for camera.
This year’s program is notable for its inclusion of three feature-length films, a rare expansion for a festival that typically focuses on shorts. Alongside the main competition and audience awards, 2025 also introduces a new student film category, further underlining the festival’s growing international profile since becoming a competitive event in 2019.
Dance through the seasons, across seas, and into soundscapes
The opening film of Dance Film Festival Prague 2025 is Seasons of Dance (Les saisons de la danse, pictured at top), an ambitious European co-production completed earlier this year. Directed by Tommy Pascal, the film brings together renowned choreographers and dancers to interpret Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons by composer Max Richter.
Divided into four chapters exploring different facets of love, the film features contributions from acclaimed artists including Emilie Leriche, Imre & Marne van Opstal, Or Schraiber, Bobbi Jene Smith, and Peeping Tom. Festival audiences can look forward to an introduction by producer Boris Berger, who will present the film in Prague.
Also playing at this year’s festival is The Sea, a meditative dance film by American director Douglas Rosenberg. Shot on the shores of the Baltic Sea, the film explores themes of male intimacy, aging, friendship, solitude, and community through the movements of older, non-professional male performers. Inspired by the works of Ingmar Bergman and the landscapes of Fårö island, Rosenberg reflects on how physical connection among men shifts across life stages.
“I thought about cultures where male intimacy is normalized—a form of gender-specific bonding often expressed through wrestling or rough play,” the director states in a press release. “This kind of connection tends to re-emerge in later life, after social restrictions on touch and aggression ease.”
The third feature in the program is Rone: L(oo)ping, directed by French filmmaker Louise Narboni. The film follows electronic music producer Rone, a prominent figure on the global music scene since 2009, as he collaborates with the Orchestre National de Lyon. Their joint project, developed during the Covid-19 pandemic, bridges electronic and symphonic music.
Competitions, curated selections, and audience favorites
Beyond the feature films, Dance Film Festival Prague will present its traditional Best Of selection, showcasing some of the most compelling short dance films recognized at international festivals over the past two years. Also returning to the program is a curated screening of dance-related commercials, complete with commentary.
Since 2019, the festival has awarded a Main Prize and an Audience Award. This year marks the debut of a third competitive category dedicated to student films, providing a new platform for emerging talents. An international jury will select the winners: Marlene Millar (Canada), Alla Kovgan (USA/Russia), and Jana Návratová, the festival’s artistic director.
The jury will also choose a top student film, while audience members will vote for their favorite through ballots collected at festival screenings. Winners of the Main Prize will receive a crystal trophy designed by Czech artist František Jungvirt, along with a cash prize.
With an expanded feature film lineup and a growing competition program, this year’s edition promises an inspiring showcase of how dance and film intersect across genres, formats, and cultures. For the full program and tickets, visit the official website of Dance Film Festival Prague.
