When Filip Kršiak, Tereza Bonaventurová and Pepa Vičar founded KRUTÓN in 2015, the idea was simple: to create quality programmes - camps, workshops and smaller school projects - that would develop creativity and critical thinking in children and young people through working with film.

We started without great ambition, but with great commitment. We were united by the belief that film is an extraordinary tool - it offers a space for discovery, reflection and understanding of the world around us. We have been engaged in similar activities since 2010, and the creation of KRUTÓN was a natural continuation of this journey.

Krutónpolis and the key question

In 2016-2017, we opened Krutónpolis, a pop-up space for film education and a meeting place for film professionals in Prague's Vinohrady district, which lasted just over a year.

At the same time, we have been working on alternative distribution of European films, building a network of colleagues and started asking ourselves a fundamental question:

"Will KRUTÓN remain a small association or can it become a platform with a real impact?"

The decision was not an easy one - there was a lack of facilities, stable finances and it required personal sacrifices.

Friends asked us at the time, "Are you really going to make a living off rolls to do programs for kids?"

No one could imagine the future then. But as it happens with us, we decided to take the (most) difficult path - and started systematically building a professional and organizational foundation.

Tereza has since become a curator, Pepa a doctor - but both remain founding members and important advisors of the association.

What has changed since then?

• We created and ran the International Film Festival for Children and Youth Young Film Fest (Prague).
• We co-created the ELBE DOCK International Short Film Festival (Ústí nad Labem, Dresden).
• In 2025 we merged these two festivals into the BOO International Film Festival.
• Since 2021, we have been running the intimate boutique cinema Kavalírka.
• We participate in European projects and initiate our own - including systemic programmes aimed at long-term change in the field of audiovisual education.
• And much more...

KRUTÓN nowadays

Today, KRUTÓN is built on a solid team of experts who lead the various areas - from pedagogy, dramaturgy and industry programmes to international cooperation.

The key figures are Jana Minaříková, Executive Director, and Radka Hoffman, who develops international projects and relations with European partners. Our internal team, consisting of 15 colleagues and dozens of collaborators from all over the Czech Republic and Europe, also plays a crucial role.

What remains

We have grown from a small initiative into an open platform that connects pedagogy, culture, research and practice - and offers new models of collaboration in the field of audiovisual education.

KRUTÓN continues to learn, transform and find new ways - rarely the simplest ones, often the ones that present real challenges.

And one thing remains: we always work for children, students, audiences, educators, professionals and audiovisual - with real commitment and an undying passion for the cause.