Press Play Prague will bring together journalists, filmmakers, and audiences to celebrate and amplify the power of storytelling to shape a shared understanding of the world – and, in particular, journalism’s role within it. By showcasing thought-provoking films that delve into pressing social and political issues, we seek to inspire meaningful discussions and, ultimately, social change. Prague’s unique blend of history, literature, philosophy, and cinema offers the ideal backdrop for the event, which will combine historical with current perspectives, fiction with documentaries, and film screenings with live debates and meetings.

In each category, we present four prizes:

Best Film
Best Director
Best Journalist in a Film
Audience Award

Is a key character in your film a journalist, or does it explicitly deal with the theme of journalism?

We seek compelling non-fiction films (documentaries) consistent with the festival’s theme. There are two competition categories: feature-length films (Press Play DOX) and shorts (Press Play SHORTS).

Eligibility: The documentary competition is open to films that were produced after January 1, 2021.

Theme: The film must either highlight or feature a journalist, or explore or expose substantial aspects of the news profession.

Duration: Feature-length films must have a runtime of 60 minutes or more, and shorts should have a runtime of 15 minutes or less.

Submissions: Filmmakers are required to submit their films through FilmFreeWay, in a format compatible with the competition’s screening requirements. Submissions must be original works, and the filmmaker/producer should own all necessary rights to the content. The screening at Press Play Prague must be the first screening for a Czech audience.

Language: All submissions must include closed captions, plus a captions list. Foreign-language films must also include English-language subtitles.

Rights and Permissions: By submitting their film to the competition, filmmakers grant the organizers the right to screen their film up to four times during the event and to use excerpts or promotional materials for marketing purposes. Submission of a film constitutes agreement by filmmakers to abide by all the rules and regulations set forth by the competition’s organizers.

Selection: A panel of program advisers will evaluate the submissions based on criteria such as thematic relevance and overall artistic merit.

Submissions from countries with restrictions
We understand the challenges some face due to restricted freedoms or online payment barriers. If you're affected, kindly reach out to us for waiver options to submit your film to our festival.