• On November 22, the 25th annual Queer Film Festival Mezipatra concluded with a celebratory event in Brno.
• The Audience Award was won by Not Yet Who I Want to Be, a unique documentary portrait of photographer Libuše Jarcovjáková directed by Klára Tasovská.
• This year, the festival in Prague and Brno presented 25 feature films and 48 short films with LGBTQ+ themes.
• Selected films will also be available in Czech cinemas throughout the year, thanks to Queer Kino, Mezipatra's distribution label.

The Brno part of the Queer Film Festival Mezipatra wrapped up on Friday with a gala evening at Kino Scala, featuring the announcement of the feature film that resonated most with audiences in Prague and Brno. The event was followed by a screening of Peaches Teaches of Peaches and a closing karaoke party organized with the Plusko+ collective.

Mezipatra Audience Award

The audience's favorite this year was the documentary Not Yet Who I Want to Be. Directed by Klára Tasovská, the film had its world premiere at this year’s Berlinale and portrays the life and work of legendary photographer Libuše Jarcovjáková.

Through a mosaic of fascinating encounters and wild stories—ranging from the queer underground of communist Czechoslovakia to fashion photography for top brands in Tokyo—the film combines analog snapshots, readings from personal diaries, electronic music, and rhythmic editing. The result is a formally unique portrait that transcends the boundaries of the documentary genre.

Mezipatra audiences had the opportunity to meet both Libuše Jarcovjáková and Klára Tasovská during a screening at Edison Filmhub in Prague, which was followed by a discussion and the launch of the photographer’s latest book, T-Club.

A Look Back at the 25th Edition

This year, the Queer Film Festival Mezipatra screened 25 feature films and 48 short films with LGBTQ+ themes in cinemas across Prague and Brno. As per tradition, the festival awarded three main prizes: the Best Feature Film Award, the Best Short Film Award, and the Audience Award. The festival awards were once again designed by the studio Dechem.

The first two winners were announced on November 13 at Prague’s Kino Lucerna. From ten entries in the main competition, the jury selected the Canadian drama Solo by director Sophie Dupuis. The student jury, which reviewed 41 short films, awarded the French short Café Pamplemousse Cacao and gave a special recognition to all queer creators whose cultural contributions transcend the boundaries of oppression.

Films Throughout the Year with Queer Kino

Thanks to Mezipatra’s distribution label Queer Kino, audiences across the Czech Republic can enjoy selected queer-themed films throughout the year. Queer Kino, which has been active on the domestic film market since 2019, will bring five films from this year’s Mezipatra program to cinemas:

• The award-winning Brazilian film Baby
• The French documentary The Belle of Gaza (La Belle de Gaza)
• The Argentine prison musical Reas
• The audience-favorite British drama Sebastian
• The Hong Kong-Chinese drama All Shall Be Well