AGP Executive Report

Film: The 12th Czech-In Film Festival puts freedom at the centre of its programme, with a six-screening tribute to Václav Havel on what would have been his 90th birthday. Prague Arts: Signal Festival explores “dreams and visions” through installations across the city, including a first visit to the Dejvice district. Czech Games: Amanita Design is making a sequel to Machinarium, its internationally acclaimed 2009 adventure game. Cinema: Ji.hlava’s 30th anniversary programme highlights documentaries that changed the world, while Brno’s BRNO16 festival spotlights filmmaker Jan Švankmajer. Art: Prague is set to welcome its first international contemporary art fair in 2027.

Czech Director in the Spotlight: Václav Marhoul’s Confession, starring Rob Lowe and James Franco, premieres at the Warsaw Film Festival on October 15. Prague Music: David Duchovny brings his new album to the city this Thursday. Art in Prague: The city will host its first international contemporary art fair in 2027. Czech Cinema Abroad: 3 Weeks Under the Sea, a Czech-led international co-production, joins Tallinn Black Nights’ Baltic competition. Film Festivals: Brno’s BRNO16 puts animator Jan Švankmajer in focus, while Ji.hlava marks its 30th anniversary with a programme of influential documentaries.

Prague on Stage: David Duchovny brings songs from his new album to Archa+ on Thursday, while Prague prepares to host its first international contemporary art fair next spring at the restored Industrial Palace. Culture and Funding: The Culture Ministry plans to review cooperation with major institutions, including the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and Prague Spring, to align support with its new cultural policy. Arts and Well-Being: Czech doctors may soon recommend museum visits, creative workshops and other cultural activities to help prevent depression and isolation. Czech Filmmakers: A new trailer showcases Confession, a Stalin-era drama directed by Václav Marhoul and starring Rob Lowe and James Franco. European Football: Slavia Prague fell 2-0 away to Champions League newcomers Sabah, conceding a late goal after a defensive mix-up.

Design & Shopping: Prague’s MINT Market returns to Holešovice on Nov. 28–29, bringing more than 100 Czech makers and independent brands together for a Christmas showcase. Film: Animated comedy Jim Queen has landed Czech and Slovak distribution deals after its Busan screening; meanwhile, Brno’s BRNO16 film festival is putting director Jan Švankmajer in the spotlight. Literature: Czechia’s guest-of-honour appearance at the Frankfurt Book Fair wrapped Oct. 11, featuring 75 writers, more than 40 publishers and interactive digital installations. Prague Events: Signal Festival brings light art and projections to the city from Oct. 15–18, including a tribute to Václav Havel. Music: Nickelback are set to return to Prague in 2027, while composer Mick Gordon has announced a Brutal Assault performance in the Czech Republic. Visual Arts: Czech artist and teacher Vladimír Kopecký, known for his experimental work, has died aged 94.

Prague Design & Light: Designblok’s citywide festival, themed around light, wrapped up on Oct. 11. Signal Festival follows Oct. 15–18, with installations including a Václav Havel tribute on the Old Town Hall tower. Czech Arts: Artist and teacher Vladimír Kopecký has died at 94. Film Festivals: Brno16’s 67th edition puts Jan Švankmajer in the spotlight, while Ji.hlava marks its 30th anniversary with documentaries that changed the world. Music & Live Shows: Nickelback will return to Prague in 2027, and the Janáček Brno International Opera and Music Festival has announced a star-studded 2026 lineup.

Prague Light Festival: Signal Festival returns Oct. 15–18, bringing 17 light-art installations to the city centre and Dejvice; officials advise visitors to use the metro. Live Music: Nickelback will play Prague’s O2 Arena in June 2027 on a world tour supporting an album due Oct. 30. Short Films: Brno’s BRNO16 festival runs Oct. 14–18, with international and Czech-Slovak competitions and a Jan Švankmajer programme themed around food. Opera and Music: Janáček Brno’s 10th-anniversary festival begins Oct. 13, with productions including Destiny and The Excursions of Mr Brouček. Czech Arts: Painter and teacher Vladimír Kopecký has died at 94. Ji.hlava’s 30th-anniversary programme will spotlight documentaries that changed the world.

Prague Exhibition: “Unissued Diplomas,” featuring stories of Ukrainian students killed in the war, was presented at the Forum 2000 conference. It has now been shown in Prague for the fifth time. Velká Pardubická: Irish-trained Final Orders won Czechia’s famous steeplechase after a close finish, giving trainer Gavin Cromwell back-to-back victories. Documentary Film: Ji.hlava’s 30th-anniversary programme will spotlight documentaries that changed the world. Public Art: Prague’s glowing Beacon installation has been extended through October, while Prague 7 has turned its streets into an outdoor gallery with designs by local children. Music: David Koller has released his sixth solo album, “We Won’t Be Afraid.” Eurovision: Czechia has withdrawn from the 2027 contest in Bulgaria.

Czech Cinema: Šimon Holý’s Chica Checa, about a widow and her drag-performing son, is winning attention at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Prague Art: The glowing Beacon installation will remain on view through October. Games: Czech studio Amanita Design has announced Machinarium 2, a sequel to its acclaimed 2009 puzzle game. Documentaries: Ji.hlava’s 30th-anniversary festival program will spotlight films that changed the world. Music: Czech rocker David Koller has released his sixth solo album, We Won’t Be Afraid. Eurovision: Czechia has withdrawn from the 2027 contest in Burgas.

Dance: Canadian tap instructor Heather Dennis is heading to Prague later this month to compete at the International Dance Organization’s World Tap Dance Championship. Czech Games: Amanita Design is making Machinarium 2, a sequel to its beloved 2009 puzzle game; it’s planned for Windows and macOS, with no release date announced. Film: Ji.hlava’s 30th-anniversary documentary festival will spotlight films that changed the world. Public Art: Prague’s glowing Beacon installation will remain on Jan Palach Square through the end of October. Eurovision: Czechia has withdrawn from the 2027 contest in Burgas.

Live Music: Luxembourg Eurovision alum TALI will bring her first international tour to Prague, alongside dates in Cologne, Vienna and Warsaw. Documentary Film: Ji.hlava’s 30th-anniversary programme puts documentaries that changed the world in the spotlight. Czech Eurovision: Czechia is withdrawing from the 2027 contest amid budget cuts, ending its next planned appearance on the Eurovision stage. Cultural Heritage: A new online exhibition explores Václav Havel’s role as host to world leaders.

Documentary Spotlight: Ji.hlava’s 30th festival, running October 23–November 1, will feature 13 films in a “Films That Changed the World” programme, a Trinh T. Minh-ha retrospective and a showcase marking FAMU’s 80th anniversary. Live Music: Nickelback’s 2027 world tour includes Prague on its European leg, with Don Broco joining as support; tickets go on sale October 16. Roger Waters is also set to bring his “LEGACY” show to Prague in June 2027, while Let It Roll Winter has booked Noisia for January. Eurovision Exit: Czechia has withdrawn from Eurovision 2027, with reports citing budget cuts. Havel Archive: A new online exhibition brings together photographs, letters and records from Václav Havel’s meetings with world leaders, including the Dalai Lama and Pope John Paul II. City Art: Prague 7 is turning streets into an outdoor gallery with designs by local children. TV Picks: Česká televize has acquired Arte documentaries profiling actors Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain and Julianne Moore.

Gaming: Czech studio Amanita Design has announced Machinarium 2, 17 years after the original. Players will switch between robots Josef and Berta to solve puzzles; a release date has not been set. Live Music: Tony Iommi’s new solo album gets a Prague pre-release listening party at Hells Bells Pub on October 22, a day before the album arrives. Television: Česká televize has acquired three ARTE documentaries profiling Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain and Julianne Moore. Eurovision: Czechia has withdrawn from the 2027 contest in Burgas. Theatre: A new look at Prague’s Laterna Magika explores how its pioneering blend of live performance and film projection reshaped the stage.

Eurovision: Czechia has withdrawn from the 2027 contest in Burgas, a notable setback for the country’s place on Europe’s pop stage. Prague Art: Prague 7 is turning its streets into an outdoor gallery with designs by local children. Design Week: Designblok 2026 is taking over six Prague venues this week, bringing the city’s design scene into focus. Film: The Prague Indian Film Festival returns for its 23rd edition. Czech Music: Midnight Swimmers have released an album exploring greed, illusions and uncertainty; meanwhile, Greta Van Fleet are set to play in Czechia for the first time in 2027.

Public Art: Prague 7 is turning its streets into an outdoor gallery with designs by local children. Eurovision: Czechia will skip the 2027 contest in Burgas, citing budget cuts. Festivals: Designblok 2026 is taking over six Prague venues, while the Bollywood and Beyond Prague Indian Film Festival returns for its 23rd edition and queer arts festival PINKBUS brings new performances and international guests. Stage & Music: Actors Lucie Žáčková and Stanislav Majer have won Thalia Awards. Prague also has major live shows ahead: Roger Waters is set for June 2027, and Greta Van Fleet will make their first Czech appearance next year.

Street Art: Prague 7 has brightened streets near local schools with colourful designs based on children’s drawings. Artist Jakub Karlík combined pupils’ artwork into large-scale paintings, though some residents have questioned the project’s cost and surface safety. Screen Stories: Czechia was among the countries with the most submissions to TV Beats’ European series market. Meanwhile, the Cannes-winning documentary Rehearsals for a Revolution, a Czech-Spanish-Iranian co-production, has joined the Lone Star Film Festival lineup. Eurovision: Czechia is withdrawing from the 2027 contest, with budget constraints cited as the reason. Live Music: Prague’s Let It Roll Winter has announced Noisia and Wilkinson among its headliners for January 22–23, 2027. Roger Waters is also set to bring his LEGACY show to Prague next June.

UEFA Nations League Spotlight: Harry Kane stole the show at Wembley, scoring twice as England beat Czechia 3-0 and marked his record-equalling 125th cap, with Vladimir Coufal’s own goal opening the scoring and Lewis Hall earning an assist. Arsenal Buzz: Ex-England defender Micah Richards called Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly “unbelievable” and “too good” to sit on the bench, while reports also flagged a fitness doubt for £55m defender Ezri Konsa ahead of Leeds. Newcastle Focus: Lewis Hall’s strong run for England continued, and Newcastle’s international break wrap highlighted him as a clear winner. Tennis Headline: Novak Djokovic won the China Open after Alex de Minaur retired injured in the final, extending his Beijing dominance. Czech Business/Property: Czech investor AKIPIA joined the ownership structure of Warsaw’s Roma Tower, backing a luxury branded-residences skyscraper. Arts & Culture: Prague’s Charles Bridge drew Depeche Mode fans for a classic photo moment, and the Woodstock Film Festival announced its shorts lineup featuring Bill Plympton’s new music video.