1. Festival Objective
Cinematik is an international film festival whose objective is to present artistically accomplished films, primarily European productions. The festival’s long-term strategy is focused on young audiences, with an emphasis on developing film literacy.
2. Organizers
The main organizers of the festival are Cinematik, s.r.o. and Festival Cinematik, civic association. The principal co-organizers are the City of Piešťany, the Slovak Philharmonic – House of Arts Piešťany, and the Municipal Cultural Centre of the City of Piešťany. Additional co-organizers include foreign embassies, cultural institutes, and other organizations and institutions.
3. Competition Sections
Meeting Point Europe
As part of the competition, the festival is screening a selection of the 10 best European films from the past year (with copyright).
the preceding year, or the year in which the festival takes place), which was created based on the votes of renowned European critics and festival organisers. Each critic sends the festival their ranking of the 5 best European films, the festival awards them points from 5 down to 1 according to their ranking, and the competition screens a collection of films that received the most points. MFF Cinematik holds the copyright for this competition concept.
Cinematic.doc
Competition of Slovak feature-length documentary films premiered in Slovak cinemas from 15 September of the previous year to 15 September of the year in which the festival takes place. Films are judged by an international jury of film critics and creators.
4. Prices
Meeting Point Europe
The film receiving the highest score in the Meeting Point Europe competition wins the main prize, the Meeting Point Europe Award.
Literary Fund Cinematik.doc
The jury awards the prize for best direction of a Slovak documentary film based on a points-based evaluation.
The condition for awarding the prize is the director's permanent residence in Slovakia.
Dinner of the Mayor of Piešťany
The film with the second highest number of points in the Cinematik.doc competition section receives the Mayor of the Town of Piešťany Award.
Jury's dinner
The jury has the right, where it deems appropriate, to also award a Jury Prize.
Audience Award
The festival also awards a Audience Award, based on the votes of festival attendees.
Respect Dinner
The festival also awards the Respect prize, primarily to significant European filmmakers for their distinct artistic contribution to European and world cinema. A precondition for receiving the award is the filmmaker's personal attendance at the festival.
5. Information sections
The festival organises various informative sections:
Respect
A retrospective devoted to filmmakers of European and world importance and their works.
What did Dad give
The best of Slovak film.
The Country Under the Magnifying Glass
A comprehensive overview of contemporary films from one of the less well-known European cinemas.
Roads of glory
Films awarded at major world festivals.
Hope
Films of various genres and authors, with a unifying element of a positive message.
Beyond the Cult
A thematically curated film screening, offering a comprehensive look at phenomena across various genres and sub-genres.
To live is to forget
Documentary and experimental films with a unifying theme.
Other Spaces
A tour of contemporary films, screened in „site specific” spaces and other sections based on a concept, modified for the specific year.
6. Unacceptable programmes
The festival does not screen films that promote violence, drugs, racism, pornographic works, and other works that are contrary to the legal norms of the European Union.
7. Formats
The festival preferentially accepts DCP and 35mm formats (Dolby Digital), but also new distribution formats, primarily digital ones.
8. Accompanying events
The festival organises various accompanying events, musical concerts, especially by young Slovak bands of different genres, exhibitions and installations by young Slovak visual and other artists, sports tournaments, after-parties, and other events.
9. Organisation
The Cinematik festival is organised by Cinematik, s. r. o. and Festival Cinematik, civic association, who appoint the festival's executive and artistic directors. The executive director is responsible for the financial, material, technical, and personnel aspects of the festival. The artistic director is responsible for fulfilling the festival's content concept, particularly its film and accompanying programme.