The Czech Lion will target young film enthusiasts this year. The Generation Z youtuber and DJ will help.
In a few days, Prague's Rudolfinum will be wrapped in the festive mane of a lion. Viewers can look forward to the 32nd Czech Lion Awards, once again broadcast live on ČT1 from 8.10 pm on Saturday 8th March. They will not only see an expansion of the awarded categories, but also the youtuber and host Karel "Kovy" Kovář, who will conduct the entire broadcast for the first time. The production bets on young blood also in the selection of the musical accompaniment of the ceremonial evening, which will be in the hands of DJ and producer Jakub Strach, known as NobodyListen.
During the festive evening, the presenter will focus on film professionals who stand behind the scenes, but their work is essential for the creation of every film.
Czech Lion expands acclaimed categories
In the first round of voting, academics evaluated 93 films, television series, and miniseries that premiered in 2024. The symbolic statues of the Czech Lion will be vied for in the final battle by 29 titles within 24 statutory categories, which have been newly expanded to include acting categories in series and miniseries.
"For the upcoming year of the Czech Lion Awards, several changes have been made in the awarded categories. Television mini-series and series are newly merged into one category and television films are evaluated within the feature film. At the same time, acting categories were expanded, acting performances in series and mini-series are now evaluated separately, both in leading and supporting roles,"
explains the executive director of CFTA Tereza Malá Rychnovská. Viewers can therefore look forward to categories such as best feature film, best actress in a leading role in a TV episode, best actor in a supporting role in a TV episode, best mini-series or series, best photography and others.
New creative supervision, youtuber and Gen Z DJ
The festive evening will be under the supervision of the director and producer Matej Chlupacek for the first time, while the stage in the Rudolfinum will be visually interpreted by the set designer and film architect Henrich Boráros. Together, they promise a fresh and innovative interpretation of the traditional ceremony.
„I offered to try and "youthify" the Czech Lion this time. I believe it will entertain not only the fans of Czech cinema who return each year, but also a new generation of film enthusiasts,“
Promises director Matěj Chlupáček.
Another first time will be for the evening's host, who this year will be the host and youtuber Karel "Kovy" Kovář. "Hosting the awards ceremony is a notorious lions' den. And that's exactly why I'm really looking forward to getting acquainted with the Czech Lion. We will build on the best and at the same time give the evening a slightly different and I believe fresh perspective. Prepare for an evening celebrating industry pros, when the spotlight will reveal some other, no less dazzling stars. And I can't wait," adds Karel "Kovy" Kovář.
The organizers also chose an unexpected music accompaniment. The work of DJ and producer Jakub Strach, known as NobodyListen, combines rap, electronics, and experimental sounds. "I'm thrilled to be offered to perform at the Czech Lion, it's a completely new challenge for me. Specifically for the ceremony, I have prepared several tracks, fragments of which will evolve in different ways throughout the evening. I chose music that is more emotional. It could easily be part of some soundtrack cut with club music. In any case, the Czech Lion will have a significantly different sound than in previous years," says Strach.
Waves, American Woman, Murd and the mini-series The Markovich Method: Hojer.
The highest number of nominations is enjoyed by the period drama that recalls the events of 1968, Waves by director Jiří Mádl. This film is vying for an award in 14 categories. Another contender for victory is the stylized film by Viktor Tauš American Woman, which has racked up 13 nominations. It tells a story inspired by the true story of a girl who went through institutional care during the normalization period and her desire for freedom. The tragicomedy about a village slaughter, Murd by Adam Martin received 10 nominations and the miniseries from the Voyo platform The Markovich Method: Hojer directed by Pavel Soukup Jr. The mini-series Daughter of the nation directed by Matěj Chlupáček and Cristina Groșan produced by CANAL+ and the film Smetana directed by Marek Najbrt and the series A Sense of Tumor directed by Tereza Kopáčová from Czech Television's production are in for five nominations each. Competing for four Czech Lion awards are the Czech Television series Good Morning, Brno! II directed by Jan Prušinovský, the documentary I'm Not Yet Who I Want to Be by director Klára Tasovská and the feature film by Jiří Havelka The Gardener's Year. Three nominations were won by the animated film by Kristina Dufková Life to Devour.
We will find out who will ultimately take the Czech Lion statue on March 8, in a live broadcast on CT1. However, it is certain that the members of the Czech Film and Television Academy face a difficult task in making the decision.
Source: author's text, Czech Lion
