GOLDEN PRAGUE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS WINNERS: Grand Prix goes to Les Saisons de la Danse

The Golden Prague International Television Festival has announced its top honours. At a ceremony held Thursday evening in the Sladkovský Hall of Prague’s Municipal House, the Grand Prix was awarded to the French film Dance Through the Seasons (Les saisons de la danse), directed by Tommy Pascal. The jury was captivated by its visually stunning sequences featuring four couples dancing in natural landscapes to Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, reimagined by composer Max Richter. The Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution went to German film producer and distributor Jan Mojto, who was born in Nitra, Slovakia.

The winners of the Grand Prix, the three Czech Crystals, and the recipient of the Special Mention were selected by an international five-member jury chaired by Elmar Kruse, German media executive and owner of the music company C Major Entertainment.

"I was, as every year, pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the submitted films, and the jury certainly didn’t have an easy task," said Festival Director and Executive Director of ČT art, Tomáš Motl. He added: "I’m glad the jury ultimately chose works that combine strong aesthetic value with accessibility for television audiences. I believe this is the best way to bring the worlds of ballet, theatre, and classical music closer to as many people as possible."

The Czech Crystal in the category Recordings of Music Concerts was awarded to the French film Ravel in a Thousand Lights (Ravel en mille éclats) by directors François-René Martin and Gordon Martin, who vividly illustrate the life of composer Maurice Ravel in their 80-minute piece.
The Czech Crystal in the category Documentaries on Music, Dance and Theatre went to the German film Anastasia Kobekina – Now or Never!, a portrait of the promising cellist Anastasia Kobekina. Directors Grete Liffers and Sophie-Caroline Danner followed Anastasia closely through the glitter and the doubts, between daily life and an emerging career. 

The third Czech Crystal, in the category Recordings of Stage Performances, was awarded to the Austrian film The Gambler, directed by Peter Sellars. His adaptation of Dostoevsky’s classic combines a distinctive visual style with the vocal and dramatic artistry of singers Asmik Grigorian and Sean Panikkar.

The Czech Television Award was presented to the Austrian documentary A Theatre for a Symphony, directed by Barbara Weissenbeck. The film was recognised not only for its content, but also for its use of cutting-edge digital technologies to virtually reconstruct the long-lost Kärntnertortheater in Vienna, where Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony had its world premiere in 1824. It offers today’s viewers a compelling and authentic glimpse into what that historic first performance may have sounded and looked like.

The French film Afanador, directed by Isabelle Julien, received a Special Mention for Outstanding Artistic Achievement. Inspired by the stunning photography of Colombian photographer Ruven Afanador, the film vividly conveys the energy, passion, fire, and musical force of flamenco in a modern interpretation.

The Special Award of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the International Music + Media Centre (IMZ) for Outstanding Artistic Contribution was awarded to renowned producer and distributor Jan Mojto, who has Slovak roots. His name is well-known in both the classical music and film distribution worlds.

"Jan Mojto’s lifelong dedication to exceptional content has fundamentally changed the way we experience music and performing arts on screen. His ability to combine artistic excellence with global reach is key to attracting new audiences to the performing arts," said Laetitia Huberti, President of IMZ and Head of La Première, Musiq3, Classic 21, and La Trois at RTBF. The award was accepted on Mojto’s behalf by Ernst Buchrucker of United GmbH & Co. KG.

The VIZE 97 Foundation Award, established by Dagmar and Václav Havel, was presented by Dagmar Havlová to director Martin Groß for the German film Jamel – Loud Resistance. The documentary portrays the human determination to combat extremism through democratic means, mutual support, solidarity, culture, and art.

"It strongly embodies the idea of peaceful resistance through a music festival, without resorting to violence. This principle was at the heart of the Velvet Revolution and continues to be admired around the world. It is the legacy Václav Havel stood for, and which the VIZE 97 Foundation continues to uphold," said Dagmar Havlová.

The awards ceremony was an emotional evening filled with unforgettable moments. One such moment was the musical performance by violin virtuoso Josef Špaček - not a traditional recital, but a unique family concert. He invited his father, siblings, and three children on stage to create an extraordinary musical project that delighted the entire audience.

The gala awards ceremony was broadcast live by cultural channel ČT art and will be available on its online platform.