Czech Republic, Kyrgyzstan, 2025
Panic Button
A filmmaker turns the camera on her husband, an investigative journalist whose corruption exposé puts their family in danger in Kyrgyzstan.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
An independent and free press is essential to any democratic society. But today’s media landscape is more precarious than ever, as publishers face severe funding shortages and mounting threats to editorial independence. With the spread of armed conflict and the rise of authoritarian regimes, journalists are increasingly forced to risk their lives and liberty. Compounding these dangers, generative AI has introduced new challenges to the viability and autonomy of media world-wide.
Now, more than ever, supporting the press is critical. One powerful way to do so is by helping citizens better understand journalists’ work and the media’s vital role in democratic societies. Film, in particular, can inspire inclusive debates and shed light on how – and why – reporters pursue the stories that matter. By re-shaping public perception of journalism, we hope to foster greater appreciation, support, and protection for those who dedicate their lives to telling the truth.
Confirmed films include
Hungary, Germany, Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark, 2026
80 Angry Journalists
updated TV version premiere
When Orbán-aligned owners take over Index.hu, 80 journalists walk out and build Telex from scratch, filmed by one of their own.
Sweden, 2000
The Death of a Working Man’s Newspaper
Fredrik Gertten films day and night through the final week of Malmö’s 113-year-old daily Arbetet.
Czech Republic, 2003
Sleepless Nights
Remastered version release
A look inside the 2000 Christmas revolt at Czech Television, when staff protested against what they saw as a political takeover. Featuring legendary, up-close footage shot by Radim Špaček and David Čálek on both sides of the barricade.
USA, 2026
My Undesirable Friends - Part II - Exile
A community of young journalists are forced to flee when Russia turns telling the truth into a crime. As their country wages a criminal war they oppose, they must figure out how to keep working from exile, relying on friendship and dark humor to get through dark times.
Slovakia, 2026
Retuning
Directly from within the newsrooms, director Sára Prokopová observes the attempt to gain political control over Slovakia’s public service television and radio. While heated debates about a strike are taking place behind the scenes, the gradual curtailment of independent journalism and the silencing of opposition voices unfolds on screens.
United Kingdom, France, USA, 2026
Ink
Based on James Graham’s award-winning play, Ink follows Larry Lamb, hired by Rupert Murdoch in 1969 to turn the ailing Sun into a bold, sensational tabloid – and the team of outsiders who make it the best-selling paper in Britain.
Austria, 2026
Defending the Future of Free Media
This film is an homage to the resilience of media organizations at the forefront of defending press freedom around the world — from Ukraine, Turkey, the Philippines, Mexico, the United States, Gaza, and Hungary.
Panels and discussions to be annouced soon.
Festival Partners
