When Hurvínek Shows Up, It’s a Total Sensation! Celebrating 100 Years at the Zlín Film Festival with a Golden Slipper in Hand

This year's opening ceremony was truly extraordinary. The Festival President's Award—the prestigious Golden Slipper—was presented in Zlín to a hero who has been entertaining generations of audiences for an entire century. And it was a proper celebration.

I'm disappointed,

Hurvínek reacted with his signature wit upon receiving the award.

I expected to get new shoes—one this year, and the second one next year. Mine are already terribly worn out.

Hurvínek did not arrive alone. He was accompanied by his daddy Spejbl, as well as the Artistic Director of the Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre, David Janošek, puppeteer Matěj Kopecký, and Martin Trecha, who lends his voice to both characters. First, they walked the red carpet together in grand style.

I've already been everywhere,

Hurvínek joked.

Grandma is guarding the theatre, Žeryk is guarding grandma, and Mánička is packed away in her puppet bag,

he entertained the crowds of children in front of the Congress Centre. And how does he feel being a centenarian?

Everything is creaking, can't you hear it?

The hosting duo Dana Morávková and Jan Čenský gradually welcomed other awardees onto the improvised stage, including this year's fellow Golden Slipper recipient, the Director of CT :D (Déčko) Petr Koliha. They were joined by the festival's Artistic Director Markéta Pášmová and Festival President Čestmír Vančura.

We ordered great weather and great movies, so enjoy it to the fullest!

The audience in Eva Jiřičná's packed hall did not need to be told twice. Following the high-energy Hurvínek show, another highlight was next in line. The auditorium witnessed the world premiere of the Czech adventure fantasy comedy Mom and Dad Are Cool (Máma a Táta jsou Boží).

A seventeen-member delegation of creators arrived in Zlín to present the film in person, led by directors Adam Hobzik and Jan Chramosta, alongside actors Petr Lněnička, Predrag Bjelac, Anička Dvořáková, Vica Kerekes, and many others.

This is our first collaborative work that we are presenting in a cinema. We are enjoying it immensely!

mentioned Adam Hobzik.

The film, which is competing in the International Competition of Feature Films for Children, will not hit regular cinemas until autumn. However, it is scheduled on the festival program again this Sunday, so do not miss it.

You can still meet Hurvínek and Spejbl today from 5 PM in the ZLIN FEST zone in Sad Svobody. As part of the Film Professions UP CLOSE series, puppeteers David Janošek and Martin Trecha from the Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre will introduce their craft and share behind-the-scenes insights into bringing puppet characters to life.

Hurvínek's birthday celebration is then scheduled right on International Children's Day, June 1st, from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Zlaté Jablko shopping centre in Zlín. From 7:00 PM, he will try out the role of a main news anchor in the PATRIOTi v pohybu talk show, assisted by Czech Television reporter Josef Kvasnička.

The festival marathon full of films, stars, and unforgettable experiences is just beginning. Join us and be a part of it!