The 33rd annual Czech Lion Awards celebrated Czech cinema and television on Saturday evening, March 14, at the Prague Congress Centre. The event recognized outstanding achievements in film, television series, and miniseries released in 2025, with Agnieszka Holland’s Franz emerging as the evening’s most awarded production.
The film, inspired by the life and work of Franz Kafka, took home four awards from 15 nominations, including best actor for Idan Weiss. Other wins for Franz included production design, costumes, and makeup, underscoring the film’s critical and artistic impact within the Czech film landscape.
Caravan, which premiered in competition at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, was awarded best feature film. It also won best supporting actress for Juliána Brutovská.
Hosted by stand-up comedian Bianca Cristovao, the ceremony also highlighted emerging talents and socially engaged projects, with music by Adrián Čermák accompanying the evening’s presentations. Organizers emphasized the festival’s focus on the future of Czech cinema and the next generation of filmmakers.
Franz and the top winners
Franz was the most-awarded film of the night, confirming its leading status among the 2025 Czech film slate. Directed by Holland with a screenplay co-written with Marek Epstein, the film’s exploration of Kafka’s life was a favorite heading into this year’s awards. Weiss received the best actor award for his portrayal of Kafka, while Henrich Boráros, Michaela Horáčková Hořejší, and Gabriela Poláková earned recognition for the film’s production design, costumes, and makeup.
Other feature film honors included Caravan, directed by Zuzana Kirchnerová, which won best feature film and best supporting actress, and Broken Voices, which earned three awards for leading actress Kateřina Falbrová, music, and sound. Summer School, 2001, directed by Dužan Duong, Jan Smutný, and Lukáš Kokeš, received the best screenplay award and best supporting actor for Nguyen Dung. Katarína Gramatová’s debut film Promise, I’ll Be Fine also secured best direction, marking the emergence of new voices in Czech cinema.
Documentary filmmaking was recognized with Better Go Mad in the Wild (Raději zešílet v divočině), which took three awards including best documentary, cinematography, and editing. Television productions were also celebrated, with the miniseries The Well (Studna) winning best miniseries or TV series and acting awards for Johana Matoušková and David Švehlík, while Král Šumavy 2 – Agent Chodec earned supporting acting honors.
Emerging talent and special awards
The evening spotlighted debut filmmakers and socially conscious storytelling. Katarína Gramatová, who directed Promise, I’ll Be Fine, acknowledged the support of the academy for new creators. Similarly, the animated film Tales from the Magic Garden (Pohádky po babičce) won best animated film, demonstrating continued investment in diverse formats and creative approaches.
Non-statutory honors recognized achievements beyond standard categories. The fan award went to Do the Mæth (Na plech), while Michal Čermín won best film poster for Franz. The ČFTA also announced its lifetime achievement award for Helena Bezděk Fraňková, former long-time director of the Czech State Cinematography Fund, honoring her contributions to the national film industry.
Winners of the 33rd Czech Lion Awards:
- Best feature film: Caravan
- Best documentary: Better Go Mad in the Wild
- Best director: Katarína Gramatová – Promise, I’ll Be Fine
- Best actress in leading role: Kateřina Falbrová – Broken Voices
- Best actress in leading role in TV series: Johana Matoušková – The Well
- Best actor in leading role: Idan Weiss – Franz
- Best actor in leading role in TV series: David Švehlík – The Well
- Best actress in supporting role: Juliána Brutovská – Caravan
- Best actress in supporting role in TV series: Kristýna Ryška – Král Šumavy 2 – Agent chodec
- Best actor in supporting role: Nguyen Dung – Summer School, 2001
- Best actor in supporting role in TV series: Jan Nedbal – King of the Šumava 2 – Agent Chodec
- Best screenplay: Dužan Duong, Jan Smutný, Lukáš Kokeš – Summer School, 2001
- Best cinematography: Dušan Husár, Miro Remo – Better Go Mad in the Wild
- Best editing: Máté Csuport, Šimon Hájek – Better Go Mad in the Wild
- Best sound: Juraj Mravec, Petr Čechák – Broken Voices
- Best music: Jonatan Pastirčák (Pjoni), Ondřej Mikula (Aid Kid) – Broken Voices
- Best production design: Henrich Boráros – Franz
- Best costumes: Michaela Horáčková Hořejší – Franz
- Best makeup: Gabriela Poláková – Franz
- Best miniseries or TV series: The Well – Tereza Kopáčová
- Best animated film: Tales from the Magic Garden
- Best short film / student film: Dog and Wolf
- Fan award (non-statutory): Do the Mæth
- Best film poster (non-statutory): Franz
