Prague film academy launches English-friendly streaming platform on 75th anniversary

The film faculty of Prague's Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) has released films made by graduates and students as part of its 75th-anniversary celebrations. Student films by famous Czech directors will be newly streaming, as well as the latest student productions, some of which have received international recognition.

Films available on the FAMU Films view-on-demand online platform include feature films, documentaries, animations, experimental art films, and a master class about screenwriting.

Works by iconic filmmakers and documentarians such as Věra Chytilová, Jan Němec, Jan Svěrák, Jan Hřebejk, Helena Třeštíková, and Jan Prušinovský are currently streaming while The Oscar-winning film "Daughter" is also a part of the service, launching January 19. A screenwriting course by Czech director Bohdan Sláma is also online.

"Student films from FAMU, often awarded abroad, are often difficult to find. FAMU Films offers the possibility of presenting filmmakers and their work to the public, teachers, or applicants. We will gradually add images of all students and profile ourselves as another distribution channel," said Alexandra Hroncová, head of the FAMU distribution department.

The digitization and online offer of older films is essential as some of FAMU's most famous films date from the 1960s and 1970s. 

The portal currently offers more than 200 films, available with English subtitles. An English-language version of the site is also planned for the future. Subscription costs CZK 80 per month.

The development of the school's VOD portal focused on student work can be supported through donations or by becoming a member of the I Love FAMU Films club. Membership includes a free subscription, an honorary ticket to FAMU Fest, and other events.

FAMU currently has twelve departments. It recently added a Department of Game Design which opened this academic year. The current dean, Andrea Slováková, is the twenty-first dean and historically the first woman to head the faculty.

The Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU) was founded on November 28, 1946, and next to DAMU and HAMU is one of the three faculties of the Academy of Performing Arts. It was the first film school in Europe.

Currently, 435 Czech and 94 foreign students are studying at FAMU. In its 75 years of existence, thousands of students from more than seventy countries have attended the academy which is located on Smetanovo nábřeží near Prague's National Theatre.