RFF HISTORY

RIVER FILM FEST is a significant cultural and social event focussing mainly on the presentation of cinema art in conjunction with other art forms and social sciences. Its distinguishing characteristic is its appeal to both professionals and lay audience alike. Maximum programme quality is achieved by a unique dramaturgical concept which comprises four main programme cycles. These in turn influence the content of the other minor chapters as well as the nature of all non-filmic events.

Psek was and remains a magical film city. It is forever linked with its famous “son” Vclav Krka and the films this remarkable Czech director shot in Psek. But Krka was not the only artist fascinated by the city and over the years many other films have been made in Psek and its surroundings. Nearby imelice used to be home to a film school and it was in Psek that the tradition of a summer film school was born. During the 1980s the city hosted clandestine meetings between foreign cinema reviewers specialising in Czechoslovak films and local filmmakers. In 1994 internationally renowned DOP Mirek Ondek opened his Film Academy which is still operating successfully today.

During recent years Psek has invested heavily in tourism and cultural infrastructure. As a result the city is ideally equipped to host complex cultural events. River Film Fest will set up headquarters in the citys air-conditioned Culture Centre (4 screening halls). Other screening venues include Kino Porty, Divadlo pod arou and the ELIM culture centre (2 screening halls). Accompanying events will be held in the unique open air cinema (unique because of its roofed-over grandstand). Another open air cinema will sprout up on the main city square. Concerts will be held on the City Island in the middle of the Otava River.

The Royal City of Psek was founded in the 13th century on the banks of the Otava River as the centre of the historic Prchesk region and came to be known as a city of students and pensioners, a city surrounded by a “sea of forests” and rich in cultural traditions. Today it is a popular summer resort and its city centre has been declared a monument heritage site. Psek is a modern city with a population of 30 000 and offers all modern amenities. For more information go to:http://www.icpisek.cz/php/katalog/hp.php

Psek is known as Gateway to South Bohemia. Located between Central and South Bohemia the city offers tourists an interesting region with small villages set in a rolling landscape with deep valleys, rivers, woodlands and small lakes. Fishermen come to fish the waters of the gold-bearing Otava River. Not far away stands the Orlick dam. Within the region itself festival guests can visit picturesque towns like Milevsko, Morotice, Mirovice or Protivn. 70km away lies the unique Renaissance city of esk Krumlov, a UNESCO heritage site. For more information kindly go to: http://www.jiznicechy.cz/