TBU to Play a Major Role in Zlín Film Festival Once Again
27. May 2026Tomas Bata University in Zlín will once again play a significant role in the Zlín Film Festival, which will take place in Zlín from 28 May to 3 June 2026. Students from across the university are actively involved in both the preparation and delivery of the festival programme, either as part of their studies under the guidance of academic staff or as volunteers supporting the event.
“One of the traditional highlights of the programme will be the presentation of the honorary “Star Doctorate” awards, which will take place on Tuesday, 2 June at 4 p.m. in front of the Grand Cinema. This year, the awards will be presented by the university’s Rector, Milan Adámek, to actress Kristýna Badinková Nováková and actor Martin Písařík. Since 2007, the university has awarded the honour to prominent figures in Czech cinema, making it a well-established festival tradition,” said Andrea Kadlčíková, Director of TBU Marketing and Communications. Previous recipients include presenters Dana Morávková and Jan Čenský, as well as celebrated actors Jiřina Bohdalová, Lucie Vondráčková, Jiří Mádl, Vojtěch Kotek and Anna Geislerová.
Faculty of Technology Invites Visitors “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”
During the 66th edition of the festival, the Faculty of Technology will transform into a mysterious submarine-inspired laboratory located in náměstí Míru. From 28 May to 3 June, children and families will be able to explore an interactive science zone themed around Jules Verne’s famous adventure novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
Under the title “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with the Faculty of Technology”, visitors will embark on an underwater scientific expedition, discovering genetics, microscopy and laboratory experiments in a playful and engaging way. Children and adults alike will have the opportunity to look through microscopes, try gel electrophoresis experiments revealing DNA and RNA, and even launch alcohol-powered rockets as part of the programme.
The submarine laboratory will be open daily throughout the festival on náměstí Míru, with free admission for all visitors.
Faculty of Humanities to Offer Educational and Creative Activities
The Department of School Pedagogy at the Faculty of Humanities Studies has prepared a wide range of interactive, educational and creative activities for visitors of all ages. The programme forms part of the year-long project “Keeping Pace with Baťa”, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Tomáš Baťa.
Visitors will be able to explore exhibitions and activities inspired by Baťa’s life, values and influence on the development of Zlín. The Educational Complex U18 will host the exhibition From School Desks to Life in Baťa’s Zlín, featuring historical photographs and documents presenting everyday and school life during the city’s industrial boom.
The accompanying programme will include interactive tasks such as tracing key moments in Tomáš Baťa’s life, creating personalised “Baťa newspapers”, solving financial literacy challenges and participating in detective-style and coding games. Creative workshops and educational activities for nursery and primary schools will also encourage children to explore architecture, film-making, animation and traditional crafts through hands-on learning experiences.
According to Vice-Dean for External Relations Renata Šilhánová, the faculty’s participation reflects its long-term commitment to opening the university to the public and bringing innovative approaches into education. Students from healthcare programmes will once again provide medical patrols in Komenský Park and náměstí Míru during the festival.
Faculty of Multimedia Communications Expands Festival Programme
The Faculty of Multimedia Communications will contribute to this year’s festival with a series of film, exhibition and educational events for both professional audiences and the general public.
One of the key programme highlights will be the Zlín Dog International Student Film Competition, which will take place in Room 305 of the U4 building. The competition annually showcases films by emerging young filmmakers from the Czech Republic and abroad, creating a platform for the next generation of audiovisual creators.
The Schodba Gallery in the U4 building will present an exhibition of film posters created by students from several Czech and Polish universities, including the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and partner institutions across the Czech Republic. The exhibition will demonstrate diverse approaches to film poster design as a distinctive form of visual communication.
The faculty will also once again participate in the broadcasting of Zlín Film Fest TV, bringing viewers festival news, interviews and reports from individual events.
Another important part of the programme will be animation workshops for school pupils, where children will learn the basics of animated film production and develop their own creative projects under the guidance of students and lecturers from the faculty.
Meanwhile, the G18 Gallery will host the exhibition Miloš Macourek 100, celebrating the work of renowned Czech screenwriter and dramatist Miloš Macourek. The exhibition will be accompanied by discussions focused on his film and television work.
Through its extensive involvement in the festival, the Faculty of Multimedia Communications continues to strengthen the connection between education, culture and the creative industries while contributing to the rich and diverse programme of the Zlín Film Festival.