Director Viktorie Štěpánová has won a Student Academy Award in the alternative and experimental category for her short film Volklore, according to an announcement made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The victory qualifies the Czech production for consideration in the short film Oscar race, marking a milestone for student filmmaking at FAMU’s Center for Audiovisual Studies.
Volklore Secures Student Oscar Nomination
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored a total of 12 student projects, placing the Czech short film among international competition. According to the production company Cinefila, Volklore is the first Czech film to receive a Student Oscar in the alternative or experimental category. Director Viktorie Štěpánová shared the win in her specific category alongside a pair of fellow creators, as reported by the Academy.
Official award ceremonies are scheduled for September 14 at the Toronto International Film Festival, where honors will be distributed as gold, silver, or bronze designations. Štěpánová expressed astonishment at the international recognition of her project. “I am incredibly grateful and at the same time I feel like I’m in another universe, in another reality,” Štěpánová stated following the announcement, noting her surprise that a hyper-local Moravian project resonated with American audiences.
Did you know? Czech filmmakers have a history at the Student Academy Awards. Past local winners include Viktor Horák and Pavel Sýkora with Krajan, Daria Kashcheeva with her animated film Dcera, Marie Dvořáková with Kdo je kdo v mykologii, and Jan Svěrák, who won in 1989 for Ropáci.
Exploring Digital Traditions in Modern Video Essays
Official annotations for the film describe how traditions transform into marketing tools where personal visibility functions as a new currency. In the project, individuals become brands while their followers turn into organized communities.
Dancer and choreographer Monina Nevrlá stars in the film as youtuberka Vivi, who navigates between traditional folk customs and the schedule of modern consumer culture. Štěpánová explained that personal motivation drove the creation of the project, stemming from a desire to connect with Moravian folklore. Although she grew up surrounded by these traditions, their deeper symbolism remained distant until she sought to strip away rigid formalities and present them in a contemporary context.
Festival Circuit and Distribution Trajectory
The project originated as a graduation film at the Center for Audiovisual Studies at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU). Volklore celebrated its world premiere this year at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival within the Imagina section.
International recognition for Czech-connected cinema extends beyond student categories this season. The Academy also awarded the Oscar for best documentary feature to Mr. Nobody Against Putin by Russian director Pavel Talankin, a project that featured Czech co-producers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film Volklore about?
Where did Volklore premiere?
The film had its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Imagina section, having been created as a graduation project at Prague’s FAMU.
When and where will the Student Oscar prizes be awarded?
The Academy will formally present the awards on September 14 at the Toronto International Film Festival, where gold, silver, and bronze tiers will be assigned.
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