Fun, Science and Space: TBU Will Once Again Bring the World of Film to Life for Children
28. May 2025Tomas Bata University in Zlín will once again play a significant role in the International Film Festival for Children and Youth, ZLÍN FILM FESTIVAL, which will take place in the town from 29 May to 4 June 2025. University students assist during both the preparation phase and the actual festival events, either as part of their studies under the guidance of their teachers or as volunteers.
A key event in the programme will be the traditional honorary award, the “Star Honorary Doctorate”, which will take place on Tuesday, 3 June, in front of the Grand Cinema. This symbolic recognition from the University’s Rector, Prof. Milan Adámek, will be awarded this year to actress Linda Rybová and actor Saša Rašilov. The award, presented by TBU since 2007 to significant figures in Czech cinema, has become a fixture of the festival tradition. Previous recipients include the hosts of Zlín Film Festival Dana Morávková and Jan Čenský, as well as popular figures such as actress Jiřina Bohdalová, Lucie Vondráčková, Jiří Mádl, Vojta Kotek, Anna Geislerová, Klára Issová, Barbora Seidlová, Jan Šťastný, and many others. A rare recipient was astronaut Andrew Feustel, who received the “Star Honorary Doctorate” in 2011 for taking the beloved Czech character Krteček (Little Mole) into space.
The Faculty of Humanities has prepared a series of creative workshops for children from nursery and primary schools. These programmes foster creativity, social skills, and an understanding of the world around us. Students from teacher training programmes have been involved in the preparation. “Our workshops encourage children to think, create, and collaborate. They provide both experiences and lessons, while also giving future teachers hands-on practical experience,” says Roman Božik, programme coordinator.
As part of the “Fun Flap” programme, preschool children will have the opportunity to try their hand at being little filmmakers by creating their own scenes and stories or learn about planets and create their own cosmic landscapes using modelling clay.
Primary school children can choose between two programmes. The first focuses on artificial intelligence and the future of technology. In a workshop titled “Fantasy Today, Reality Tomorrow”, children will learn how futuristic inventions have become a common part of our lives and where we use artificial intelligence. The second programme, entitled “Our Earth, Our Home”, is focused on environmental education and sustainable living. Through games, experiments, and tasks, children will learn how to help protect our planet.
Children and parents can also look forward to a rich programme offered by the Faculty of Technology. Throughout the festival, two thematic modules will be open at Peace Square (náměstí Míru) – “Famous Scientists and Space”. The first module will introduce children to key figures in the scientific world, while the second will offer them the chance to explore space once again. They will experience interactive exhibits related to topics such as growing plants on Mars. “We want children to fall in love with science and show them that exploration can be both thrilling and creative,” says Iva Čermáková, Head of the Marketing Office at the Faculty of Technology.
The Faculty of Multimedia Communications (FMC) traditionally contributes to the festival programme with a wide range of activities that bridge film, media, animation, and game creation. Students from the Audiovisual Arts studio manage the festival’s television, bringing current events to viewers through interviews with VIP guests, red carpet reports, and live broadcasts from the Peace Square and the Fénix studio.
The Animation studio has prepared workshops on animation using the technique of pixilation, where live actors are used as objects for animation. These workshops will take place in the area near the Zlín Chateau and are primarily intended for primary school students. The Game Design studio will also be part of the festival, hosting an exhibition of Czech games, practical workshops, and a presentation of the authorial game Zlin City in the building of the TBU Rectorate from 30 May to 1 June. The programme also includes expert lectures such as “How to Start Game Development before University” and “The Birth of Zlin City World”. All FMC activities are open to the public and free of charge.
Each year, dozens of students from TBU participate in the organisation of the festival. Their tasks vary from assisting with the organisation of individual events, coordinating workshops and programmes for children, to providing logistical support and visitor services. Volunteers also work on-site. Students from healthcare programmes play a crucial role in ensuring first aid and safety oversight at the busiest festival locations, such as Peace Square and Komenský Park.
The TBU Refectory will also be involved, providing catering services and refreshments throughout the festival.
