What are your expectations for the jubilee 20th edition? What would you most wish for the festival?
Regardless of the anniversary, we want to bring the best films to Piešťany every year, as well as something new that will move the festival forward – for everyone who attends. Our greatest victory will be if we can continue to do this work freely in the years to come.
Your most intense moment from the festival's history that you won't forget?
The most powerful moments were always when something happened for the first time. On September 13th, 2006, we screened Cinematik's very first film – and it was a dream come true for us. A few years later, we filled the House of Arts auditorium for the first time and realised that the dream made sense. The sight of a packed auditorium is unforgettable. Other memorable experiences include the launch of digital accreditations, the opening of the large tent in front of the House of Arts, or the festival during the pandemic. Each of these moments was special for us.
The organisation of the festival has changed significantly over two decades – what were the biggest challenges and what do you consider the biggest success in Cinematik's history to date?
A lot has changed in twenty years. We started as a five-day event with 58 films. Many may no longer remember that digital copies didn't exist back then – films arrived on 35mm reels, weighed around 40kg, and were sent to us by couriers from all over Europe. We interpreted them directly in the hall into „boxes“ that audiences borrowed at the entrance. Today's technical level of screenings and the way films are distributed are completely different. But much more has changed – the ARTA community centre was established, the old Power Station was renovated, which expanded our screening capabilities. We also managed to revive the square in front of the House of Arts, where our popular Cinematik Lounge now stands, hosting discussions and other events.