Pragueshorts Film Festival 2026 Spotlights Intimate Storytelling and New Voices
The 20th annual Pragueshorts Film Festival, beginning February 25th, 2026, in Prague, is showcasing a shift towards raw, real storytelling in short film, tackling trauma, complex family dynamics, and challenging societal norms with a level of honesty rarely seen in mainstream cinema.
“Confession” – A Powerful Exploration of Trauma
Among the festival’s highlights is Rebeka Bizubová’s documentary, “Confession” (originally titled “Zpověď”), which directly confronts the sensitive issue of sexual abuse within the church, rooted in the director’s own experiences. The film earned Bizubová a Student Academy Award in 2024.1 “Confession” reconstructs a pivotal moment in Bizubová’s past, exploring the traumatic experience that occurred at a summer religious festival.2
Bizubová’s approach to the subject matter is described as “whispering” her story, creating a profoundly intimate and non-sensationalized portrayal of trauma.3 The film explores the director’s reflections on life before the trauma and her search for the courage to share her experience with her parents.4
Other Notable Films at Pragueshorts 2026
Beyond “Confession,” the festival features a diverse range of short films:
- Grandma Nai’s Favorite Grandson: A Cambodian comedy short film set in Brooklyn, New York, exploring the balance between tradition and personal happiness. The film, directed by Chheangkea, won an award at the Sundance Film Festival.
- Orla: A Czech-Slovak film by Marie Lukáčová that combines magical characters, animation, and rap to notify a story about justice and challenging a despotic ruler.
- March Winter: An Estonian puppet animation by Natalia Mirzoyan depicting the experience of two young residents of St. Petersburg grappling with hopelessness in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- 9 Million Colors: A Czech-Norwegian-German animated film directed by Bára Anna Stejskalová, featuring a friendship between a blood shrimp and a blind fish, exploring themes of perspective and understanding.
Pragueshorts Festival Details
The Pragueshorts Film Festival will take place from February 25th, 2026, at cinemas Světozor, Bio Oko, Ponrepo and Kino Pilotů in Prague.2 “Confession” will be screened on February 27th at 20:30 at Světozor Grand Hall and on February 28th at 15:00 at Světozor Small Hall.1
Rebeka Bizubová is a Slovak director whose work often explores themes of family, closeness, and complicated relationships, frequently employing symbols and meaningful imagery.1