The 62nd edition of the Golden Prague International Television Festival is just around the corner, once again showcasing the very best of television dedicated to music, dance and theatre. From 24 to 27 September, Prague’s Municipal House will come alive not only with competition films from around the world, but also with premieres, discussions, concerts and meetings with creators. As one of the oldest festivals of its kind in Europe, Golden Prague remains a unique platform where media, art and audiences come together.
“I believe the Golden Prague Festival will enrich everyone with captivating premieres, performances, live atmosphere and encounters with creators. But the festival is not just a showcase – it's also a competition where the international jury will once again present prestigious awards: Czech Crystals, the Grand Prix Golden Prague and other recognitions for exceptional artistic achievements. The unique Art Nouveau atmosphere of the Municipal House adds a special dignity to every moment of the festival,” says Hynek Chudárek, Director General of Czech Television.
This year’s competition features 84 films from 12 countries, including 34 documentaries, 24 concert recordings and 26 staged productions. The largest number of entries – 27 – came from Germany. The programme spans an impressive range of genres and formats, from the nearly four-hour Wagnerian epic Siegfried (Germany) to the concise Finnish portrait Gestures, clocking in at just 29 minutes.
“Every year I’m pleasantly surprised by how many high-quality programmes about dance and music are being produced around the world. And when the Golden Prague competition regularly brings in almost a hundred of them, I feel genuine joy. At the same time, I’m proud that it’s Czech Television that organizes one of the world’s oldest television festivals and thus actively contributes to preserving culture and quality on a global scale,” says Tomáš Motl, Executive Director of ČT art and Director of the Golden Prague Festival.
The international jury this year is chaired by Elmar Kruse, media manager and owner of C Major Entertainment. Representing the Czech Republic on the panel will be composer and former director of the Prague Spring festival Pavel Trojan. The Czech Crystal Awards will be presented in three main categories. The jury will also choose the recipient of the Grand Prix Golden Prague, along with a special mention for an outstanding artistic achievement. Additional prizes will be awarded by Czech Television and the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation VIZE 97.
The Awards Ceremony will take place on 25 September at 20:00 in the Sladkovský Hall of the Municipal House, and will be broadcast on ČT art. A highlight of the evening will be a performance by world-class violinist Josef Špaček and his musically gifted family.
But Golden Prague is far more than just a competition. It is a meeting ground for television creators, producers and representatives of major organizations such as the EBU and IMZ – and most importantly, for viewers who can experience it all first-hand.
This year’s programme also features premieres from Czech Television’s own production. The documentary The Power of the Voice: The Story of the Prague Philharmonic Choir explores the 90th season of this esteemed ensemble, combining aesthetic refinement with musical depth. Emil Viklický – Made in Jazz offers a personal and musical portrait of the celebrated pianist, whose work fuses Moravian roots with jazz improvisation. And the documentary Three Sisters: 40 Years on Stage revisits the four-decade history of one of the Czech Republic’s most iconic rock bands.
A major guest of this year’s edition will be the legendary TV director Brian Large, who has directed over 800 opera and concert broadcasts throughout his career. He helped shape the Three Tenors phenomenon (Pavarotti, Domingo, Carreras), and directed their very first joint concert broadcast from Rome in 1990. A two-time Emmy Award winner, Large also directed the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert nineteen times. He will be in Prague to personally present his new autobiography – an event open to the public with prior reservation.
The festival will also host the premiere of Epoque Quartet 25, directed by Jakub Sommer – a compelling visual testimony to 25 years of innovation and artistic courage from this genre-defying string quartet.
And it’s precisely Epoque Quartet who will close the festival in style with the concert Bon Voyage!, joined by a star-studded lineup: Jiří Lábus, Katarzia, Ondřej Ruml, Ondřej Gregor Brzobohatý, Petr Malásek, Pavel “Bady” Zbořil, Robert Balzar, Josef Štěpánek, Lukáš Klánský, and Belfiato Quintet. This event will also be broadcast live on ČT art.
Throughout the festival, the video hall at the Municipal House will be open to the public, offering access to all competition entries, along with concert recordings, operas, ballets, theatre performances and films featuring world music, jazz and contemporary music. For a more intimate viewing experience, attendees can use 20 individual video booths. The competition and non-competition films will also be available to watch online on our website. (Due to geolocation restrictions, films are available for viewing only within the Czech Republic.)
Golden Prague also offers a vibrant public programme. Returning this year is the popular Golden Dancefloor – a night full of dance, music and shared joy. For younger audiences, Golden Prague for Children takes place in the Smetana Hall and features performances by Prague conservatory students, a behind-the-scenes peek into ballet training with National Theatre, and a dance workshop led by Tereza Prucková, well-known from StarDance.
Golden Prague remains an extraordinary celebration of television and the arts, bridging genres, generations and countries. We look forward to welcoming you to the Municipal House – whether as a viewer, a listener or a co-creator of this unique festival atmosphere.