Czech Television brings home a prestigious Prix CIRCOM Regional 2026 award from Tampere, Finland. The international jury awarded the main prize in the fiction category to the television film Máma, produced by the regional studio. The film succeeded against 272 submitted programs from across Europe. The judges particularly praised the film's emotional truthfulness, sensitive portrayal of the mother-daughter relationship, and exceptional acting performances.
“Máma is a mature, impressive, and emotionally resonant work that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll,” the international jury stated in its evaluation.
The film's plot focuses on the fate of an intellectually handicapped young woman and her daughter. After the death of a loved one, both heroines are forced to leave their home, thus beginning a story that combines elements of a road movie and a family drama. The film, which unfolds on two timelines, previously won the iDNES.cz Television Award. For Czech Television, this is another significant international success after 2021, when the miniseries Herec won the same competition.
The success in Tampere comes at a time when there is a debate in the Czech Republic about a new media law. In connection with the award, Czech TV Director-General Hynek Chudárek pointed out that the draft law from the Ministry of Culture overlooks the existence of regional studios. According to the television management, regional production is one of the pillars of public service. The Brno and Ostrava studios have consistently demonstrated their quality precisely by participating in international competitions.
“We greatly value this award, and I am glad that works created in the regions can break through in international competition. This confirms that television studios have their irreplaceable place,” said Petr Albrecht, director of the Brno studio.
This year's 42nd edition of the Prix CIRCOM Regional was held under the theme “Shared moments.” The expert jury met in Ruse, Bulgaria, and for the first time in history, also invited a group of young social media users to evaluate the entries. Their task was to bring the perspective of the digital audience to the selection. In addition to celebrating creative work, the conference in Tampere also addressed innovations, the fight against disinformation, and the safety of journalists in conflict areas.
Photo: ČT, Lukáš Oujeský