The International Film Festival ART FILM (IFF ART FILM), the largest and oldest film festival in Slovakia, which takes place annually in Košice, opens its fourth decade of existence and its 31stedition will bring a novelty in the form of an honorary award titled the Milan Lasica Award. Its first laureate is Ivan Mistrík.
Several honorary awards are presented annually at the IFF ART FILM. Actors of domestic and international significance traditionally receive the Actor’s Mission award at the festival. Film professionals are honoured with the Golden Camera award. This year, a third honorary award has been added to the list, with which IFF ART FILM will honour the personalities of Slovak film acting in memoriam and at the same time commemorate its first, only and unique president.
“In the latest edition of the festival, IFF ART FILM has decided to introduce a new honorary tribute named the Milan Lasica Award. It is an award dedicated to outstanding legends of Slovak film acting in memoriam. It is an extension of the tradition of presenting the Festival President’s Award, which was awarded during his lifetime at the IFF ART FILM by our only president, the unforgettable Milan Lasica. It is an honour and a commitment for us to continue in this legacy, and the Milan Lasica Award will be a worthy reminder not only of our late president, but also an opportunity to remember the actors whom we have not yet had time to recognise during their lifetime at the festival because they have passed into actors’ heaven,” says Martin Palúch, the festival’s art director, while revealing the name of its first recipient: “The first laureate of the Milan Lasica Award in 2025 will be the fabulous Ivan Mistrík on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of his birth. One of the most talented Slovak film actors who enriched the national film culture with iconic film characters in films such as Higher Principle, The Copper Tower, Eagle Feather, Captain Dabač, Midnight Mass and many others.”
Ivan Mistrík was born on 15 October 1935 in Bratislava and first appeared in front of the camera as an actor in 1950. He was admired not only for his acting skills, but also for his dedication to his profession. Colleagues often spoke of him as an extremely sensitive and hard-working man who was immersed in his work. Thanks to his own perceptiveness, he was able to portray sensitive characters in film and theatre. During his acting career, Ivan Mistrík has appeared in dozens of feature films, often in collaboration with directors such as Martin Hollý, Palo Bielik, Jiří Krejčík, Andrej Lettrich or Peter Solan.
However, his contribution to Slovak film cannot be reduced to merely the number of roles and collaborations – Ivan Mistrík was a symbol of actor’s integrity and the ability to convince the audience. His interpretations combined talent, responsibility to the work of art and a deeply personal approach to the characters he portrayed. The Milan Lasica Award will be presented to Ivan Mistrik in memoriam during the 31st edition of the ART FILM International Film Festival, which will traditionally take place within the cultural premises of the city of Košice from 20 to 27 June 2025.
More information about the festival as well as cinepasses for visitors is available at www.iffartfilm.com.
IFF ART FILM also launched a popular Valentine’s Day promotion on the occasion of the lovers’ holiday. As of result of that, two festival cinepasses can be obtained for the unbeatable price of €50. The special Valentine’s Day promotion will last until 14 February 2024. VALENTINE CINEPASS (1+1 free) is available on the festival booking system website.
