International Film Festival FEBIOFEST Bratislava is organized by Association of Slovak Film Clubs – ASFC. ASFC associates more than 50 cinemas and film clubs (arthouse cinemas) all over the country and is the most important arthouse distribution company in Slovakia. Since its establishment the ASFC has been the first choice for most Slovak filmmakers to distribute their films. The main co-organizer of the festival is the Slovak Film Institute. Festival was first dedicated to local films but soon became open also for European and World cinema.

International Film Festival FEBIOFEST Bratislava was founded in 1993. The aim of the festival is not only to bring wide range of contemporary and archive national and foreign films to the audiences but also to support its distribution, development and production. The main part of the festival takes place in Bratislava and a selection of films is subsequently screened in other cities across Slovakia creating an alternative distribution channel.

The competition section of short films will, for the eight time, introduce a selection of the most interesting fiction, documentary, animated and experimental films. The title In the Hearth of Europe refers to the V4 countries (Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland) along with our close neighbours, Austria and Ukraine, together with the competition of feature length films the programme remains grounded within the central European area and includes countries which are interconnected the most.

Awards & Prizes

Feature Length Film Competition IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

Award:
FEBIOFEST Award for Best Short Film – € 500, granted to the director (or main creators) of the winning film, as decided by the professional jury.

Short Film Competition IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

Award:
FEBIOFEST Award for Best Feature Film – € 500, granted to the producer of the winning film, as decided by the professional jury.

Rules & Terms

The Bratislava International Film Festival FEBIOFEST invites submissions for its two main competition sections: Short Film Competition and Feature Film Competition, open to works from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Austria, and Ukraine.

You can also submit films out of competition - there are no specific requirements for these films.

You can submit your films to the following competitive sections:

Feature Length Film Competition IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
Short Film Competition IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

IN THE HEART OF EUROPE - COMPETITION OF SHORT FILMS
Twenty of the best shorts are selected each year. The main criterium for selection is the quality of the audio-visual work, rather than the equal representation of V4 countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland) along with Austria and Ukraine. The discussions with the authors after the screenings enhance the four screening blocks.

IN THE HEART OF EUROPE - COMPETITION OF FEATURE-LEGHT FILMS – DOCUMENTARY AND FICTION FILMS
It will be third time that this competition will present a selection of the most noteworthy live-action, animated, documentary and experimental feature length films from V4 countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland) along with Austria and Ukraine. The selection consists of 6 pre-selected films. The competition of feature length films is a natural extension of the program following the short film competition that is a traditional part of the festival.

IN THE HEART OF EUROPE - OUT OF COMPETITION
The section offers a non-competitive selection of feature films from the Visegrad countries, Austria and Ukraine. Like the short film competition, it concludes with a selection of countries neighboring Slovakia, which are closest to each other not only due to common borders, but also due to their past and culture. The films are shown in premieres and previews, often with the participation of creators.

FILM PLUS
Film+ presents the award-winning films and distribution premieres of the highly anticipated films. It offers the newest titles from renowned filmmakers who move the world of arthouse cinema.

LIMITLESS
What can you expect from the section without limits? Unexpected casting, the fluidity of genres, plot twists. Programming team goes wild and chooses the most interesting, boundary-breaking and untraditional titles. The section gives space to the young authors, debut filmmakers, but also well-experienced directors. The only criterium is the quality of the audio-visual work. If you don't believe us, go and see with your own eyes in our cinemas. You will see the most innovative, unusual and grotesque works. Bring an open mind, pinch of bravery, sit back and enjoy the selection on the edge of the limit.

THE MIRROR OF THE PAST
The archive sections across many festivals are experiencing an unexpected renaissance. From the classics of the first half of the twentieth century to the films which formed the viewer and the industry as we know it today. Our archival section THE MIRROR OF THE PAST always has a connecting theme. Besides, all the films are newly restored, so the viewer is left with an unforgettable experience.

MIDNIGHT TEMPTATION
Get ready for an exciting mix of films in different genres and (sometimes) with questionable quality. Once again, festival programmer Andrej Kolenčík is putting together this section to make sure your late-night cinema experience is worth it and keeps you wide awake.