THE 7TH EDITION OF SLOVAK POP UP
Now in its 7th year, the Slovak Pop Up – a key initiative of the Pop Up Film Residency in Bratislava – continues to nurture bold and diverse cinematic voices in Slovakia. Since launching in 2019, the program has supported 27 projects, 6 of which are already completed – including two debut feature films currently in post-production: Twentyseven by Gregor Valentovič and Flood by Martin Gonda, both expected to premiere in late 2025/early 2026.
This year, the call for applications drew a record 20 projects (13 features, 5 shorts, 2 documentaries), a testament to the thriving creative energy of Slovak filmmakers. After an extensive selection process and interviews, 7 promising projects – 5 feature films and 2 shorts – have been chosen for the 2025 residency.
Throughout the second half of the year, these projects will receive tailor-made consultations with international mentors in Bratislava. The participants of the Slovak Pop Up 2025 are:
Selected Projects:
-
#NOFILTER – Short Hybrid Film
Writer/Director: Roman Pivovarník | Producer: Barbara Janišová Feglová -
2,4 M – Feature Film
Writer/Director/Producer: Mária Pinčíková | Co-writer: Marek Lečšák -
DREAMING DIFFERENCES – Feature Film (Tatino Award @ Febiofest 2025)
Writer/Director: Kateřina Hroníková | Producer: Nataša Jurčová Findrová -
REALITIES – Feature Film
Writer/Director: Teodor Kuhn | Producer: Nazarij Kľujev -
SUMMER LAMB – Short Animation
Writers/Directors: Olívia Jánošíková & Marty Müller | Producer: Marty Müller -
THE FALL – Feature Film
Writers: Patrik Pašš ml. & Laura Siváková-Paššová | Producer: Juraj Krasnohorský -
THIS IS OUR HOUSE – Feature Film
Writer: Adam Pavlovič
RESIDENCY SESSIONS & MENTORS
The 2025 Slovak Pop Up will unfold over three focused residencies in Bratislava:
1st Session
-
Projects: REALITIES, THE FALL
-
Mentor: Philippe Barrière (France)
-
Dates: July 2–5, 2025
2nd Session
-
Projects: #NOFILTER, SUMMER LAMB, THIS IS OUR HOUSE
-
Mentor: Mert Dilek (Turkey)
-
Dates: July 28–31, 2025
3rd Session
-
Projects: 2,4 M, DREAMING DIFFERENCES
-
Mentor: Mmabatho Kau (South Africa)
-
Dates: November 3–5, 2025
INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKERS IN RESIDENCE 2025
Beyond the Slovak Pop Up, the Pop Up Film Residency Bratislava is hosting 5 international film residencies throughout 2025, welcoming filmmakers from Brazil, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, and South Africa.
Already hosted:
-
Bumper Cars – Feature Film
Max Bungarten (Germany) | Residency: February 2025
A queer coming-of-age drama set in Cologne, developed through Munich Film Up! -
Erotic Lives of the Superheroes – TV Series
Ruddy-Williams Kabuiku (France), Nadya Todorova (Bulgaria) | Residency: April/May 2025
Based on Marco Mancassola’s cult novel. Will be pitched at Karlovy Vary IFF 2025.
Upcoming:
-
Bergies – Feature Film
Dian Weys (South Africa) | Residency: July 2025
A real-time drama about mass eviction, developed with Cannes’ Focus CoPro initiative. -
Slate of Projects – Doc & Fiction
Luiza Paiva (Brazil/UK) | Residency: July 2025
Paiva develops her producer’s slate with the support of Ji.hlava’s Emerging Producers Program. -
14.5 – Feature Film
Aizhana Kassymbek (Kazakhstan) | Residency: Oct–Nov 2025
A sensitive coming-of-age drama, developed with Alternativa Film Project support.