• Kristýna Genttnerová has become the new director of the Queer Film Festival Mezipatra, with Jakub Knott taking over her former position as program coordinator.
• The festival has also unveiled a new visual identity created by designer Petr Menhart.
• The 26th edition of Mezipatra will take place in Prague from November 6–13 and in Brno from November 14–21.
• Sales of discounted festival passes start in Prague on Thursday, October 9, and in Brno on Thursday, October 16.

“Mezipatra are entering their second quarter-century. Over that time, they have grown from a small community event in Brno into one of the largest queer festivals in Central and Eastern Europe, firmly established on the Czech and international cultural scene. I am honored to lead the festival from this year onward and believe our audiences can look forward to many exciting innovations,” says Kristýna Genttnerová, the new festival director.

Genttnerová has been part of Mezipatra since 2018 and led the programming team for the past two years. She succeeds former director Pavel Bicek, while Jakub Knott takes over her previous position as program coordinator.

A sociology graduate, Genttnerová has worked in the film industry since 2015. She has gained experience in programming and production at festivals such as One World and Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival. Within the Institute of Documentary Film, she coordinated the KineDok project and contributed to the East Doc Platform. She co-created and managed the One World Online VOD platform, organizes One World Echoes in Oslo, and currently leads the programming team at Ekofilm.

What’s New at Mezipatra

The 26th edition also brings several innovations.

“The traditional annual festival motto has been replaced by two thematic lines that run through both the film program and accompanying debates and industry panels. This year, we’re holding a mirror up to the V4 countries and taking a closer look at the restriction of trans people’s freedoms – not only in the United States,” explains Genttnerová.

“Alongside traditional Q&As with filmmakers, we’re introducing post-screening discussions with local experts. This year’s programming also fulfills two frequent audience wishes: we’re adding a midnight screening and dedicating a retrospective to landmark films by iconic women directors,” she adds.

Genttnerová emphasizes that Mezipatra continues to focus on a high-quality and diverse program, bringing feature and short films from around the world – from debuts to works by established filmmakers.

“We remain, above all, a festival for a diverse audience – a place where everyone can feel comfortable, find their space, meet like-minded people, and join the festival team in creating and celebrating the queer world every day.”

A Brand-New Visual Identity

Mezipatra has also revealed this year’s visual concept and a completely new graphic identity created by art director, graphic designer, and illustrator Petr Menhart.

“Each year, Mezipatra creates a unique space for LGBTQ+ people, their families, friends, and allies – a welcoming and safe environment where they can be themselves, share experiences, discuss, and build community. I wanted to bring the idea of a ‘safe(r) space’ into the visual identity of the 26th edition – one that reflects the festival’s warmth, care, and courage,” explains Menhart.

Program Launch and Festival Passes

The full program of the 26th edition will be announced on October 16. As always, selected films will compete for three awards – Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, and the Audience Award. The competition will be complemented by non-competitive sections featuring documentaries, special screenings, and Queer Kino distribution titles, as well as a rich accompanying and industry program.

Audiences in both Prague and Brno can purchase discounted festival passes for CZK 850, valid for seven screenings for the price of five.

• In Prague, passes will be available October 9–26 at cinemas Lucerna, Světozor, Edison Filmhub, and Kino 35.
• In Brno, they will be sold October 16–November 21 at Kino Art and Scala.

Press materials available for download HERE.

Press Contacts:
Barbora Frantíková, Media Coordinator – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +420 776 407 672
Marie Barvínková, Head of PR – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.