The 31st edition of the International Film Festival Art Film (June 20–27, 2025) will open with a film that brings poetry, humor, and a timeless reflection on Slovak existence to the Slovak Season section. The Sluggard Clan by director Rastislav Boroš will premiere at Art Film with the personal attendance of the filmmakers. The delegation, led by the director and screenwriter, will arrive in Košice with actor Milan Ondrík, this year’s Actor’s Mission Award recipient, who plays Enrik, one of the lead roles.
Loosely inspired by Božena Slančíková Timrava’s novella Ťapákovci, the allegorical comedy THE SLUGGARD CLAN blends magical realism with grotesque elements and a distinctive visual poetics. The story of brothers lost in naivety and their own foolishness—blurring the line between the living and the dead—serves as a metaphor for the archetypal traits that have shaped the Slovak character across generations. The fateful women, capable of returning from beyond the grave for love, provide a counterweight to the men’s passivity and stagnation.
The documentary VARSO by Kristián Grupač delves into the life of Peter Varsavík—a musician defying conventions, genres, and societal norms. Spanning his roots in the Kysuce region and collaborations with artists like Marián Varga, the film offers a reflection on creativity as both an escape and a lifeline. Grupač uses archives and interviews to explore the complex relationship between art, mental health, and the environment it emerges from.
In I AM NOT A BAD MAN, Bulgarian director Nadya Todorova revisits the 1968 occupation of Czechoslovakia through the personal encounter of two men. Former Warsaw Pact soldier Koljo meets Czech dissident Martin in Prague after 55 years. Their confrontation is not only about the past but also about the ability to understand one another. This sensitive documentary shows that history is not just about facts, but also about human emotions and reconciliation.
SHADOW OF VICTORY by director Bård Breien is an epic drama about brotherhood, ambition, and the tragic consequences of fame. The story of Magne Havnå, Norway’s first light heavyweight boxing champion, is framed by his relationship with his brother Erling—not just his coach, but later a bank robber. With Slovak co-production involvement, the film offers a gripping look at athletic triumph overshadowed by personal downfall.
The mockumentary SHEEP TOO by Peter Pavlík is a satirical ride through post-COVID Slovak reality. Through the character of conspiracy theorist Ľuboš—whose “critical thinking” defies common sense—the film explores the extent to which disinformation and personal truths can go. Pavlík draws on his background in documentary filmmaking and journalism to create a disturbing portrayal of a society on the edge of absurdity.
Also part of the Slovak Season Special selection is the film FÜHRER AND SEDUCER by Joachim A. Lang. Though a German production, some scenes were filmed in Bratislava, and thanks to support from the Audiovizuálny fond, it will premiere in Slovakia. FÜHRER AND SEDUCER is a portrait of a master manipulator, showing how easily media can be abused to spread hatred—a topic that remains highly relevant today.
The documentary JOE THE FIRST pays tribute to football legend Jozef Vengloš. Featuring world football figures and exclusive footage, the film showcases the extraordinary career of a man nearly forgotten in his homeland. The screening will be accompanied by a discussion with the creators and a presentation of materials not included in the final cut.
The TV miniseries MIKI by Jakub Kroner reveals the story of Mikuláš Černák—from an ordinary boy in Telgárt to the most powerful mobster of the 1990s. This dramatic reconstruction of his rise and fall is an outstanding example of quality television portraying recent history without embellishment.
The second series featured is MIŠA IN KOŠICE—a light-hearted take on a Bratislava journalist’s confrontation with the cultural reality of eastern Slovakia. Funny yet thoughtful, the series tackles prejudice, personal growth, and the possibility of new beginnings in the most unexpected places.
“To premiere films, ensure the personal presence of creators, facilitate meetings with acting personalities, and host exclusive discussions with audiences, all while aiming to map the Slovak audiovisual present—these words bst capture the spirit of the beloved Slovak Season section. Supporting and promoting new domestic production is one of the festival’s long-standing priorities,” says section curator Martin Palúch.
However, the premieres of new Slovak films will also appear in other festival sections—both competitive and non-competitive. Don’t miss the best of current Slovak film and television production.
Cinepasses for the 31st edition of IFF Art Film are available at the festival’s official website: iffartfilm.com.
- Kronika večných snílkov © Continental film
- Dvoika Ouce © Peter Pavlík
- Führer_und_Verführer_Zeitsprung_Pictures2023
- MIKI © The Yellow Affair
- Miša v Košiciach © TV JOJ
- Nie som zlý človek © Tenara Nukleon Frame
- Tieň víťazstva © Magic Box Slovakia
- Varso © STVR Punkchart film
The 31st edition of IFF ART FILM is made possible with the support of:
Organizer: ART FILM FEST s.r.o.;
Co-organizers: Mesto Košice, K13 – Košické kultúrne centrá, Visit Košice, ART FILM FEST, n.o., LGM, s.r.o., FORLIVE;
Financially supported by: Audiovizuálny fond
Co-financed by: Košický samosprávny kraj through the Terra Incognita program;
General advertising partner: Nadácia SPP
Main partners: národná lotériová spoločnosť TIPOS, Slovenská elektrizačná prenosová sústava, a.s., CODES Brand House;
Main media partners: TV JOJ, Pravda, Eurotelevízia;
Automotive partner: Moris Slovakia
Advertising partners: Best Press, U. S. Steel Košice, ANTIK telecom, Kino Úsmev, LOKO TRANS Media, CORE LABS;
Technology partners: NOV, ZEBRA, Deutsche Telekom Systems Solutions Slovakia, T4H, LEDGO, DELTA OnLine, ARICOMA, TelekomCLOUD;
Official suppliers: DKC Veritas, Kaviareň Slávia, PLOOM, Krušovice BOHÉM, pramenitá voda Lucka, DOMOS SLOVAKIA, Reštaurácia Contessa, Aupark Shopping Center Košice, Pierre Baguette, Julius Meinl;
Official wine: Kubbo Select and Ostrožovič;
Media partners: JOJ PLAY, JOJ 24, Film Europe, Rádio KOŠICE, Aktuality.sk, Forbes, Startitup.sk, Korzár, Slovenka, SITA, TASR, Mediaboard, See & Go, Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze – ČSFD, BigMedia, Košice City Guide, Košice v skratke, Film.sk, diva.sk, koktejl.sk, zenskyweb.sk, MOJAkultúra, kino Sterio, Dopravný podnik;
Partners: JOJ Cinema, Jojko, Veľvyslanectvo Indie v Bratislave, Carmeuse Slovakia, TINY Houses, ECO Technologies, Letisko Košice, Local Nomad Tours, Slovenský filmový ústav, Taper, YumEarth, Puella vône, Kvety Garomi, čLOVEčina hra, Rakúske kultúrne fórum, TESCO Store SK, CPK Transport, Tabačka Kulturfabrik, Východoslovenské múzeum v Košiciach, Letní filmová škola, KPK Reklama, MIHYRING, Zoberma taxi, Hair Factory Košice;
Gastronomy partners: Pub u Kohúta, El Nacional, OhniskO Fire Dining&Brew Bar, Maiko Sushi, Macarons Košice, Café de Paris, šum vináreň, Casa Trade – Casablanca cafe, TATRATEA, Moritz Eis;