Prague’s Press Play festival opened Oct. 7 at Kino Atlas cinema, celebrating journalists who report under censorship and political pressure. The festival runs until Oct. 11, screening films from around the world and hosting discussions with the reporters behind them.
The second edition of the festival centers on the theme “Journalism Under Pressure,” emphasizing the courage, ethics, and creativity required to report in challenging environments.
“This festival is about making the world safer and better,” said Søren Kelstrup, the Danish ambassador to Czechia.
Press Play Prague features competitive screenings for documentaries and non-fictional shorts as well as non-competitive curated and uncharted films. The award ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 11 where the winning film will be screened at 9:30 p.m.
The festival’s first evening brought together students, professors, cinephiles, and journalists. Wine glasses dotted the café above the cinema, and conversations buzzed about journalists’ rights, ongoing projects, and ideas sparked by the screenings, creating an atmosphere that was both lively and urgent.
The night’s screenings included The Dynasty – The Rise of the Orbán Family’s Business Empire and State of Silence.
The Dynasty traces the rise of the Orbán family’s business empire and explores the intersections of politics, power, and media influence in Hungary. Its second screening at the festival is scheduled for Oct. 10 at 6:45 p.m.
State of Silence, which examines the dangers faced by journalists in Mexico, a country consistently ranked among the most deadly for reporters, according to Ohio State University, was both moving and inspiring. As with all competitive screenings at the festival, it will be shown again Oct. 10 at 8 p.m.
The festival continues to combine cinematic storytelling with panels, Q&As, and workshops, offering students and attendees a unique opportunity to engage with journalists, filmmakers, and peers while exploring the critical role of press freedom in contemporary society.
Students and locals are encouraged to check the schedule and experience the festival’s powerful lineup before it closes Oct. 11. Student tickets can be purchased at the venue or on GoOut for 79 CZK per screening.
