Photo source: FB Mělnický Film Festival and FB city Mělník
Mělník will belong to film on November 6th and 7th. The first edition of the Mělník Film Festival MEFIF will showcase nearly forty short films by emerging and independent creators over two days. In addition to competitive screenings, it will offer meetings with filmmakers, live podcasts, a debate on the future of film in the age of artificial intelligence, musical performances, film workshops, and other accompanying programs. The festival will take place at several locations in the center of Mělník.
MEFIF is emerging as a new space for short films and primarily for meetings between their creators and the audience, as well as among themselves.
The first edition received dozens of applications from young filmmakers, from which the organizers selected nearly forty titles for the festival program.
Audiences can look forward to feature films, documentaries, and animated works.
Winners of the competitive categories will be decided by a professional jury composed of personalities from Czech cinema. However, the festival does not want to limit itself to just screenings. An important part of MEFIF is the opportunity to meet with the film authors, discuss their work, and connect emerging filmmakers with other people from the film industry.
The film does not end with the screening
In addition to the competitive films, MEFIF will also offer a supporting program. This will include live podcasts, a film corner, and a debate dedicated to the future of filmmaking in the age of artificial intelligence. The program will be complemented by a variety of musical performances – from a unique organ performance by Varhan O. Bauer to a concert by the band Rudovous and DJ sets.
The musical evenings will provide an ideal opportunity to stay together for a while after the screenings, meet other visitors, and enjoy the festival atmosphere outside the screening rooms.
“We want the visitors of MEFIF to enjoy the whole day and not just have to think about which film is currently playing. Between screenings, they can attend a debate or podcast, in the evening go to a concert, and then continue to the festival afterparty. At the same time, we would be happy if people coming from Prague or other cities took the opportunity to get to know Mělník itself. The festival takes place right in the city center, and all venues are just a few minutes' walk apart,” says Tereza Litošová from the MEFIF organizing team.
For film and beyond Mělník
MEFIF can also be an opportunity to spend part of the November weekend in Mělník. Between the different parts of the festival program, visitors can explore the Mělník underground, visit the local museum, the church with the ossuary and the lookout tower, and the castle to experience the local gastronomy.
Thus, the festival does not concentrate solely in one hall but aims to guide visitors through the center of Mělník and connect the film program with the city in which it takes place. Moreover, you can also get to know Mělník from a slightly different perspective – through films and series that were shot here. A prepared mobile game will take you to places known from the silver screen, where questions and explorations of specific locations where well-known Czech and foreign films were made await you.
A detailed schedule of screenings, supporting programs, and information about individual guests will be gradually published by MEFIF on its website and social media.
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MEFIF – Mělník Film Festival
November 6-7, 2026 | Mělník
MEFIF is a new film festival focused on short, student, and independent film production. Its goal is to create a space in Mělník for meetings between emerging filmmakers, professionals, film schools, and audiences while also bringing a regular film and cultural event to the city.
Program and tickets:
mefif.cz, www.ticketlive.cz
