The Prague Independent Film Festival (PIFF) will welcome audiences back to central Prague this weekend, offering a three-day showcase of international cinema and filmmaker discussions. Running from Sept. 19-21, the festival continues its mission of highlighting original voices and bold storytelling from around the world.
Founded in 2016, PIFF has steadily grown into a platform for independent filmmakers to share their work with Czech and international audiences. Screenings will take place at Prague’s historic Kino Lucerna and its adjacent café, venues that have long been central to the city’s cultural life. Organizers say the festival remains committed to presenting auteur-driven films and providing opportunities for filmmakers and viewers to connect.
This year’s program mixes feature-length narratives, short films, and live presentations, with guests traveling from the United States and Europe to introduce their work in person. All screenings will be held in English or with English subtitles, making the lineup accessible to Prague’s international community.
Opening night premiere
The 2025 edition begins Friday, Sept. 19, at Kavárna Lucerna with a 5 p.m. presentation of Come Monday, an unproduced screenplay introduced by American filmmaker Graham Streeter. Streeter, known for Imperfect Sky (2015) and Unfix (2023), will discuss the project and his career in independent cinema.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, Kino Lucerna hosts the Czech premiere of I Never Said Goodbye (pictured at top) at 6 p.m. Actor Artur Smolyaninov will introduce the film, directed by Ukrainian-born filmmaker Yevgeniy K’banchik.
The drama follows an Eastern European immigrant coping with the loss of his mother while building new relationships abroad. K’banchik, now based in Baltimore, blends narrative, documentary, and elements of magical realism, and his previous work, Brood X, earned festival recognition in Tokyo, Berlin, and New York.
Later that evening, at 7:30 p.m., audiences can attend a program of short films from a range of international directors. The shorts section has been a PIFF mainstay, providing a platform for experimental approaches and emerging voices.
Closing night and festival awards
The festival concludes Saturday, Sept. 21, with the psychological thriller The Reckoning, screening at 6 p.m. Director Alex Breaux draws inspiration from Guy de Maupassant’s novel Pierre et Jean to tell the story of Brian Connacher, a man confronting unsettling family secrets during a trip to France. Lead actress Kristin Griffith will present the film and discuss its themes of sacrifice and self-discovery.
Following the screening, PIFF will host its traditional awards ceremony, where a jury of film professionals will recognize standout works across categories. The festival prides itself on judging films solely on originality, cinematography, and performance, regardless of budget or genre.
The full schedule and additional details are available on the festival’s website.
By combining intimate filmmaker meetings, independent premieres, and a focus on auteur cinema, the Prague Independent Film Festival continues to offer a space for diverse perspectives and boundary-pushing storytelling. For local audiences and visiting film professionals alike, the weekend promises an opportunity to experience world cinema in one of Prague’s most historic settings.
