The Prague Audiovisual Fund has announced a new call for projects, opening the next round of financial support for films and series shot in the Czech capital. Applications for 2025 will be accepted between Oct. 15 and Nov.15, the fund’s board confirmed this week.
The program is intended for professional audiovisual works across feature, documentary, and animated formats, including both films and serial productions. To qualify, projects must be intended for international distribution, whether through theatrical release, television broadcast, or video-on-demand and subscription-based streaming services.
One of the fund’s key conditions is that Prague must appear on screen as itself, rather than substituting for another city. Productions that have already begun filming or will begin between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, are eligible to apply. Documentaries are also eligible, provided they are completed by the end of 2027.
Supporting Prague’s film identity abroad
The Prague Audiovisual Fund was established by the city in 2016 with the goal of strengthening Prague’s profile as a film-friendly destination and promoting the city’s image abroad through cinema and television. Originally founded as the Prague Film Fund, it was renamed in 2022 to reflect its broader audiovisual focus.
The fund operates as an endowment supported primarily by the City of Prague. Annual contributions have varied since its inception, ranging from an initial CZK 10 million in 2016 to smaller sums in recent years, with CZK 6 million allocated in 2024.
Funding is awarded on a competitive basis, with the board of trustees assessing not only a project’s artistic merit but also the extent to which Prague plays a meaningful role on screen. The evaluation criteria include the number of filming days in Prague, the visibility of the city’s landmarks, and the project’s potential for international exposure. The program also emphasizes marketing value, with a view toward tourism, culture, and the city’s global reputation.
According to the fund’s mission, the support is intended both to attract international productions to Prague and to help local filmmakers create works with international reach. By tying funding to the authentic portrayal of the Czech capital, the program seeks to ensure that Prague benefits not only from the economic impact of film shoots but also from the cultural visibility that comes with global distribution.
Since its launch, the fund has supported a mix of high-profile international titles and prominent Czech works. Hollywood productions such as Spider-Man: Far From Home, Xavier Dolan’s The Death and Life of John F. Donovan, and the Bollywood film Jab Harry Met Sejal have received backing, highlighting Prague as a versatile filming location for global audiences.
The fund has also contributed to domestic projects that achieved international recognition. Historical epics such as Medieval, biographical dramas like Charlatan, and David Ondříček’s sports drama Zátopek all received support. These films showcased Prague and Czech culture while reaching audiences abroad through festival screenings and theatrical distribution.
The dual focus on international and domestic projects underlines the fund’s strategy: to keep Prague visible in global cinema while ensuring that Czech stories gain the resources to compete on the international stage.
A competitive call with clear priorities
With the new call for professional projects set to open in October, producers will again be competing for limited funds. The emphasis on portraying Prague authentically remains central, distinguishing this program from other incentive schemes, such as national cash rebates that support production costs regardless of content.
The Prague Audiovisual Fund’s targeted approach reflects the city’s desire to shape its global image through carefully selected projects. By prioritizing visibility, cultural representation, and marketing potential, the fund positions itself as both a cultural initiative and a strategic promotional tool.
Full conditions for applications, including required documentation and eligibility criteria, are available on the fund’s official website.
