Ji.hlava Intl. Documentary Film Festival Unveils Program for 27th Edition

The Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival has announced the lineup for its 27th edition, set to take place from October 24-29 in Jihlava, Czech Republic. The festival will feature a total of 357 films across competitive and non-competitive categories, including 115 world premieres, 22 international premieres, and 17 European premieres.

Exploring Themes of Transformation and Social Issues

This year’s program will delve into various themes, including artificial intelligence, climate change, migration, democratic transformation, and the journey towards freedom and happiness.

Diverse Selection of Films Reflecting the Changing World

Festival director Marek Hovorka describes this year’s edition as a reflection of the rapidly changing world. The program features a wide range of films that highlight the diverse transformations happening across the globe.

Notable Films in the Lineup

Some of the standout films in this year’s festival include “Another Body” by Sophie Compton and Reuben Hamlyn, which explores a college student’s discovery that her portrait photos were used in a deep fake pornographic film. Another notable film is “The Other Profile” by Armel Hostiou, in which the director travels to Congo to confront the person who stole his identity through a Facebook profile.

The Constellations Section

The festival’s Constellations section will showcase a selection of films previously featured at other festivals, including “Youth (Spring)” by Wang Bing, “Four Daughters” by Kaouther Ben Hania, “The Eternal Memory” by Maite Alberdi, “Menus-Plaisirs Les Troisgros” by Frederick Wiseman, and “Our Body” by Claire Simon.

Retrospective Showcase and Partnerships

In collaboration with the Cinémathèque Méliès foundation, the festival will present a showcase on the pioneering Méliès brothers, featuring 28 short films from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Additionally, the festival will focus on the work of Václav Táborský, a Czech pioneer of cinéma verité, in partnership with the National Film Archive.

Fascinations: Experimental Documentary Films

The festival’s prestigious competition section for experimental documentary films, titled “Fascinations,” will present 24 films by renowned global experimental filmmakers such as Dietmar Brehm, Steve Reinke, Mike Hoolboom, Thomas Kutschker, and Karel Doing.

Exploring Artificial Intelligence in Non-Competitive Films

The non-competitive section of Fascinations will showcase films co-created with artificial intelligence. Among the selected works are “Me, Myself and I,” created in collaboration with neural networks and chatbots, and “Let’s Be Friends,” which utilized AI to craft the film’s visuals, sounds, editing, and narration.

The Main Jury and Awards

The main jury for this year’s festival consists of French editor Dominique Auvray, American writer and educator Michael Renov, Czech director Adéla Komrzý, British curator and filmmaker Christopher Small, and Bosnian director Una Gunjak. The jury will not only select the festival’s main winner but also award prizes for the best camera work, editing, and sound design.

Trailer and Full Lineup

The festival’s trailer, directed by renowned Catalan director Albert Serra, can be viewed here. The complete lineup for the festival can be found here.