Aidan Gillen, Star of Game of Thrones, Is Coming to Zlín!

He is coming to Zlín for a special reason: to personally present the acclaimed film TRAD, which our festival will screen as an international premiere. Aidan Gillen is already looking forward to meeting festival audiences:

Attending film festivals has always been one of my favourite parts of the whole journey that comes with making films, especially with films like this one, which to some extent rely on festivals to reach audiences. It’s always a wonderful opportunity to experience other cultures and to see how a film resonates within them.

The Czech Republic is also not unfamiliar territory for him. He previously spent three months in Prague while filming Shanghai Knights alongside Jackie Chan in 2002.

I’m really looking forward to discovering Zlín,

he added enthusiastically.

The visit of such a distinguished guest is a major highlight for the festival. Markéta Pášmová, Artistic Director of Zlín Film Festival, said:

Aidan Gillen is a highly respected figure in international cinema, celebrated for his masterful portrayals of psychologically complex, intelligent and layered characters. His visit to Zlín offers our audiences a unique opportunity to meet a global film icon in person. TRAD, which he is bringing to the festival, is a truly powerful cinematic experience and also highlights Gillen’s commitment to supporting independent and auteur filmmaking. The film combines deep emotion with the distinctive atmosphere for which Irish cinema is so admired.”

Praise also came from the film’s director Lance Daly, who highlighted the actor’s professionalism and unique contribution:

Working with Aidan on this project was extraordinary. He has an incredible ability to bring remarkable inner energy and a subtle sense of irony to every scene, giving the whole story an entirely new dimension.

Where can you meet Aidan Gillen?

If you would like to see the Irish star in person, don’t miss the festival program at Golden Apple Cinema in Golden Apple Shopping Centre, as well as the traditional Red Carpet event. Screenings of TRAD will take place with the personal attendance of actors Aidan Gillen and Dallán Woods, together with director Lance Daly.

• Saturday, 30 May at 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM – Official screening of TRAD with the film delegation (Golden Apple Cinema)
• Sunday, 31 May at 6:00 PM – Meet the stars on the Red Carpet outside Zlín Congress Centre
• Monday, 1 June at 6:00 PM – Screening of TRAD with the film delegation (Golden Apple Cinema)

Who is Aidan Gillen?

Born in Dublin, Aidan Gillen has established himself as one of the most outstanding actors of his generation in Irish cinema. Audiences and critics alike especially admire his ability to portray complex and psychologically rich characters.

His first major international breakthrough – and a BAFTA nomination – came with his role as Stuart Alan Jones in the groundbreaking series Queer as Folk (1999–2000). This was followed by his acclaimed performance as Tommy Carcetti in The Wire (2004–2008). Worldwide fame and mass popularity followed with his portrayal of Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish in Game of Thrones (2011–2017), where his performance became one of the defining elements of the series.

Aidan Gillen is a three-time recipient of the Irish Film & Television Academy Awards and, alongside major Hollywood productions, has remained a strong supporter of Irish and independent filmmaking. On the big screen, he has appeared in blockbuster films including The Dark Knight Rises and Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials. Other notable performances include roles in Sing Street, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and the Oscar-winning hit Bohemian Rhapsody. Television audiences have also enjoyed his performances in Peaky Blinders (2019) and Kin (2021–2023).

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet this outstanding film star in person in Zlín!