On Wednesday 9 July 2008, the festival artistic director, Petr Koliha, announced at a regular meeting held in Karlovy Vary during the KV IFF that the 49th edition of Film Festival Zlín is to continue the tradition of devoting the dramaturgy to cinematography of one particular European nation. "As for 2009, we picked Spanish cinema, where there is a large number of films for children and youth made every year. Our plan for the 49th annual also includes bringing representatives of the very strong generation of young Spanish actors to Zlín." And because the festival draws near its big anniversary, together with the 49th edition focus, Petr Koliha announced what is to become the theme for the 50th anniversary of the festival. "In 2010 we are going to remember the 100th anniversary of the birth of director, screenwriter, and artist Karel Zeman (1910 - 1989)." Zeman, who is closely connected with Zlín film studios - the hotbed of immense number of films for young audience - will be presented in an extensive retrospective, accompanied with a book. But Zeman’s will not be the only representative retrospective. The 2010 festivalgoers can look forward to seeing the best Czechoslovak films for children and youth as the 50th edition clearly aims at showing off the gems of the rich Czechoslovak filmmaking history.
ZLÍN 2009 - 49th International Film Festival for Children and Youth will take place from 31 May - 7 June 2009
ZLÍN 2010 - 50th International Film Festival for Children and Youth will take place from 30 May - 6 June 2010
