The 61st edition of Academia Film Olomouc (AFO) has unveiled its official competition lineup, presenting a wide-ranging selection of science-focused films and immersive projects. This year’s program includes 52 films and 10 immersive works, drawn from international and domestic production over the past two years.
Taking place from April 28 to May 3, the festival continues to position itself as a key European platform for popular science cinema. Organized by Palacký University Olomouc, AFO combines film screenings with discussions, lectures, and interdisciplinary exchanges, bridging the gap between scientific research and audiovisual storytelling.
The newly announced competition selections reflect the festival’s long-standing emphasis on blending scientific inquiry with creative expression, while also expanding into emerging formats such as interactive and immersive media.
Competitions highlight science and storytelling
The international competition brings together a diverse slate of documentaries exploring science as both subject and lived experience. According to programmer Ondřej Kazík, this year’s selection emphasizes works that balance scientific rigor with emotional depth, presenting science not as an abstract discipline but as something embedded in people, landscapes, and communities.
Among the selected titles are André Is an Idiot (pictured at top), Humboldt USA, When Animals Grieve, Nuisance Bear, and Time and Water, alongside films addressing topics such as climate change, biodiversity, and human relationships with technology. The programming aims to connect scientific concepts with personal narratives, often extending beyond human perspectives to include ecological and non-human viewpoints.
The Czech and Slovak competition offers a regional counterpoint, showcasing 11 films that explore historical, social, and technological themes through a local lens. Titles such as 1+1+1, The Cost of Convenience, Visitor Jindřich Polák, and Smoke reflect a range of approaches, from archaeology and environmental issues to artificial intelligence and contemporary societal challenges.
Programmer Karolina Matějková described the section as a space for diverse creative voices, with filmmakers examining the present through both historical context and speculative inquiry. The selection highlights how regional creators engage with global concerns while maintaining distinct narrative and stylistic perspectives.
The short film competition further broadens the scope, featuring works grouped into thematic blocks that address everything from plant biology and human physiology to future technologies and environmental transformation. The lineup includes animated films, AI-assisted productions, and hybrid storytelling formats, underlining the festival’s openness to experimentation.
Expanding formats with immersive media
AFO’s immersive media competition continues to expand the definition of science storytelling beyond traditional cinema. This year’s selection includes 10 projects that combine digital and physical elements, encouraging audiences to engage with scientific ideas through interactive environments.
Projects such as Anamnesis, Steps of Progress, and Ways of Knowing: A Navajo Nuclear History demonstrate the range of approaches within the section, from virtual reality experiences to installations incorporating physical objects and site-specific interaction. According to program head Dominik Vontor, the goal is to present immersion as a spectrum rather than a fixed format, shaped by both technology and artistic intent.
This emphasis reflects broader trends in the audiovisual sector, where boundaries between film, art, and interactive media are increasingly fluid. By including these works alongside traditional documentaries, AFO positions itself at the intersection of scientific communication and evolving media practices.
Founded in 1966, the festival has grown from a small academic gathering into one of Europe’s largest events dedicated to science documentaries. Its program continues to explore topics ranging from space research and climate science to artificial intelligence and the role of science in society.
With attendance figures steadily increasing in recent years, AFO has also become an important meeting point for filmmakers, researchers, and industry professionals. Its competition sections remain central to that mission, offering a curated overview of how science is interpreted, communicated, and reimagined through contemporary audiovisual forms.
More information and updates can be found at the official festival website.
