• Mezipatra Queer Film Festival announced the program for its 26th edition, which will take place in Prague from November 6 to 13 and in Brno from November 14 to 21.
• Ten feature films from across the globe will compete for the Grand Jury Prize.
• The program includes a total of 26 feature films and 49 short films.
• This year's festival spot will premiere on October 20 at Atrium Žižkov in Prague.

"The world is changing, and so is queer cinema. This year, we invite audiences on a journey through the stories of people who are not afraid to search for truth, closeness, or their own selves. Together with the programming team, we have selected something for everyone. We are aware of the importance of togetherness and solidarity for the queer community and its safety right now—and this is also reflected in this year’s program. Whether you want to reflect on the lives of people on the other side of the world, discover local filmmaking, or simply have fun, Mezipatra will be here for you come November," Mezipatra’s program coordinator, Jakub Knott, stated.

This year, Mezipatra will screen a total of 26 feature films and 49 short films. Ten feature films from around the world will compete for the Grand Jury Prize, while a student jury will decide on the best short film. As usual, festival audiences will also vote for their favorite. The opening ceremony of the Prague part of the festival will take place on November 6 at 7 p.m. at the Lucerna cinema, with a screening of If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart Into Your Mouth and Smile.

Feature films in the main competition

If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart Into Your Mouth and Smile (Wenn du Angst hast nimmst du dein Herz in den Mund und lächelst) is among the ten feature films in the main competition at Mezipatra. Austrian director Marie Luise Lehner took home the Teddy Award from Berlinale for her one-of-a-kind debut. The film focuses on the life transformation of 12-year-old Anna, who lives with her deaf mother in a low-income part of a Vienna housing estate; it celebrates diversity – but without the classic tropes typical of queer narratives. Queer existence is a part of everyday life, expressions of solidarity, care, and understanding.

From Mexico comes the thrilling road movie On the Run (En el camino), which won the Queer Lion Award for Best LGBTQ+ Film at the Venice Film Festival. It takes its viewers into the harsh world of truck drivers, closely linked to the underworld and drug trade. The young protagonist Veneno and truck driver Muñeco initially form an unlikely pair, but they begin to grow closer on their journey across the country. The film gradually unravels the web of Veneno's past, never ceasing to surprise.

Other anticipated films in the main competition include the psychological drama Love Me Tender, based on the novel by French writer Constance Debré. Her autofictional alter ego Clémence, played by Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread, The Corset), gives up her career and social status to devote herself fully to her writing, her affairs with women, and her young son. However, her harmonious routine is disrupted by a bitter custody battle... The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Queer Palm and Un Certain Regard awards.

The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo (La misteriosa mirada del flamenco) transports the audience to 1980s Chile. A mysterious disease is spreading through a parched mining town, rumored to be transmitted by eye contact. Lidia, a 12-year-old girl from a peculiar queer family, decides to investigate the true origin of the disease afflicting anyone who dares to love. For his debut, which combines magical realism, absurd humor, and western movie elements, director Diego Céspedes won the main prize in the Un Certain Regard competition at the Cannes Film Festival and the award for Best Latin American Film at the San Sebastián Film Festival.

Documentaries, retrospectives, and special screenings

Mezipatra’s documentary section will feature, among others, a time-lapse documentary feature about three Ukrainian drag queens, Queens of Joy (Королеви радості), and the film Heightened Scrutiny, which draws attention to growing systemic transphobia in the US. This year's retrospective will focus on films by iconic female directors such as the Wachowski sisters (Bound) and Jamie Babbit (But I'm a Cheerleader).

The program will feature a special screening of Summer School, 2001 by Czech-Vietnamese director Dužan Duong, a midnight screening of the zombie comedy Queens of the Dead, and the distribution premiere of All Shall Be Well (從今以後), brought to Czech cinemas by Queer Kino. The popular short film selection will be shown in seven competitive and two non-competitive thematic blocks.

Accompanying program and festival spot premiere

The Mezipatra audience can look forward to a diverse accompanying program, including the Queering the Industry section, which will focus on filmmaking in the V4 region and Ukraine, Czech Television’s audiovisual production, or queer gaming. This year's industry program includes a new collaboration with the OUTPITCH platform, which supports filmmakers from the V4 region and Ukraine in the development of queer-themed films.

Prague audiences may also attend the festival spot launch party on Monday, October 20, at Atrium Žižkov. The spot was created by Slovak director Igor Smitka, produced by CLAW Films, and post-produced by Soundsquare and UPP. Biofilms supported the production.

International Feature Film Competition

Sandbag Dam (Zečji nasip)

Čejen Černić Čanak • Croatia, Lithuania, Slovenia • 2025

No Dogs Allowed

Steve Bache • Germany • 2024

Lesbian Space Princess

Emma Hough Hobbs, Leela Varghese • Australia • 2025

The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo (La misteriosa mirada del flamenco)

Diego Céspedes • Chile, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium • 2025

Dreams (Drømmer)

Dag Johan Haugerud • Norway • 2024

If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart Into Your Mouth and Smile (Wenn du Angst hast nimmst du dein Herz in den Mund und lächelst)

Marie Luise Lehner • Austria • 2025

3670

Joonho Park • South Korea • 2025

Love Me Tender

Anna Cazenave Cambet • France • 2025

On the Road (En el camino)

David Pablos • Mexico • 2025

Toll (Pedágio)

Carolina Markowicz • Brazil, Portugal • 2023