AGP Executive Report

Czech Games: Developer David Konečný discusses Dreadline Express, his psychological horror game set aboard a train at the end of the world. Prague Culture: The city marked 130 years since its first film screening, while Signal Festival brought projection mapping and live performances to the night. Live Music: Berlin electronic duo Modeselektor will open Prague’s Spectaculare Festival at ROXY. Classical Music: Conductor Jakub Hrůša and the Bamberg Symphony won an award for recordings of Bohuslav Martinů’s music. Czech on Screen: A string quartet is taking music by Janáček, Pavel Haas and Dvořák to Norwich, including Haas’s final quartet.

Czech Games: Developer David Konečný discusses Dreadline Express, his psychological horror game set aboard a train at the end of the world, where players’ choices shape passengers’ fates. Film: Czech-Slovak short Orla, directed by Marie Lukáčová, won the Best Director award at the International Short Film Festival of Cyprus. Prague Cinema: The city marked 130 years since its first public film screening, held at a hotel on Na Příkopě Street in 1896. Visual Arts: Signal Festival brought projection mapping and performances to Prague, with dreams and visions at the centre of this year’s programme. Classical Music: Jakub Hrůša and the Bamberg Symphony won a Gramophone award for recordings of Bohuslav Martinů’s music.

Prague’s Light Show: Signal Festival’s 14th edition brought immersive digital art to city landmarks, as founder Martin Pošta revisited the projection-mapping idea behind the event and its year-round Signal Space. Cinema Milestone: Prague marks 130 years since its first public film screening, held at Hotel U Černého koně on Oct. 18, 1896. Czech Creativity: Amanita Design announced a sequel to its hit game Machinarium, and Prague is set to host its first international contemporary art fair in 2027. Arts & Music: The culture ministry faces pushback from the arts community over funding rules; meanwhile, Czech stories are reaching English-speaking listeners through local podcasters, and the Pavel Haas Quartet won a Gramophone prize for recordings of Martinů’s string quartets.

Prague Lights Up: Signal Festival brought projection mapping and performances to the city, while co-founder Martin Pošta reflected on how the event has grown into a year-round digital-art space. Czech Stories in English: The Henry & Simon podcast is giving Prague’s English-speaking audience personal stories from Czech culture and business. Classical Music: The Pavel Haas Quartet won a Gramophone prize for its Martinů string-quartet recordings, adding to a week of recognition for Czech music. Czech Gaming: Amanita Design has announced a sequel to Machinarium, its best-known game.

Czech Tennis: Markéta Vondroušová says her four-year suspension has kept her from playing, practising at her club or watching her partner compete. She says her tests have been negative and has spoken out about being labelled a “doper.” Czech Voices: Prague podcast Henry & Simon is building an English-language platform for personal stories from Czech culture and business that often go unheard. Brno Makers: Maker Faire Brno returns this weekend for its eighth edition, bringing hundreds of makers and hands-on experiments to the city’s Exhibition Halls. Prague Nightlife: Berlin electronic duo Modeselektor will open the Spectaculare festival at ROXY on March 3, 2027. Czech Screens: AMC has launched its Selekt Light streaming service in Czechia and Slovakia. Classical Music: The Pavel Haas Quartet won a Gramophone prize for its recordings of Martinů string quartets. Prague Art: The city is set to host its first international contemporary art fair in 2027.

Prague Music: Berlin electronic duo Modeselektor will open the 2027 Spectaculare festival at ROXY on March 3, bringing a live show built around its new album. Streaming: AMC is launching its free Selekt Light service in Czechia and Slovakia, replacing AMC Mikro and bringing the company’s shows together in one place. Classical Music: Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša and the Bamberg Symphony won a German Record Critics’ Award for their recording of Bohuslav Martinů’s six symphonies; the Pavel Haas Quartet has also won a Gramophone prize for its Martinů string quartets. Gaming: Czech studio Amanita Design has announced a sequel to Machinarium, its best-known game. Czech Design: Outdoor label Tilak, founded by climber Roman Kamler in 1986, is marking its 40th anniversary with a book and limited-edition jacket.

Czech Art: A Paris retrospective of a Czech-born painter, organized with the National Gallery Prague, brings together more than 150 works through March 14. Prague is also set to host its first international contemporary art fair in 2027. Festivals: This year’s Signal Festival puts dreams and visions in the spotlight, while the Czech-In Film Festival explores “Cinema Facing Freedom” and Brno16 celebrates filmmaker Jan Švankmajer. Gaming: Czech studio Amanita Design has announced a sequel to its internationally popular game Machinarium. Music: David Duchovny brought his new album to Prague this week, and Nickelback are set to return to the city on their 2027 tour. Opera: The Janáček Brno festival has unveiled a lineup featuring Czech stars including Kateřina Kněžíková and Markéta Cukrová.

Czech-Linked Film: Zagreb Film Festival’s new programme includes two Czech co-productions: Only Beautiful Things to Look At and Made in EU. Culture Funding: Czech arts groups are pushing back against new Culture Ministry grant rules, warning that some criteria could restrict artistic expression; they also say they were not consulted on the state arts policy. Prague Arts: This year’s Signal Festival puts dreams and visions at its centre, while Prague is set to host its first international contemporary art fair in 2027. Czech Arts: Artist and teacher Vladimír Kopecký has died at 94. Music: David Duchovny brings his new album to Prague tonight.

Prague Arts: Signal Festival puts dreams and visions at the centre of this year’s programme, while the city is set to host its first international contemporary art fair in 2027. Film: The Czech-In Film Festival’s 12th edition explores freedom with a Václav Havel retrospective, including screenings of Citizen Havel and his feature Leaving. Jiří Mádl’s Waves, about resistance at Prague’s Czechoslovak Radio during 1968, is also drawing attention. Live Music: David Duchovny brings his new album to Prague on Thursday. Gaming: Czech studio Amanita Design has announced a sequel to Machinarium, its best-known game.

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.