We are proud to board CHICA CHECA, directed by Šimon Holý

CHICA CHECA
directed by Šimon Holý
Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, 2026, 96min
genre: comedy
World Premiere: KVIFF 2026, Crystal Globe Competition

SYNOPSIS
Widowed Zdena lives a quiet life as a postwoman in a small Czech village. When her beloved son Lukas returns home from France to say goodbye to his dying grandmother, his determination to make her seemingly impossible wish come true leads him to reveal a secret that challenges the values of the village: his queer life in Paris and his drag queen alter ego, Chica Checa.

"We fell in love with this heartwarming film immediately," notes Pluto Film's managing director Benjamin Cölle. "The film refuses to make a false choice between artistic integrity and emotional truth. We are convinced that its intimate storytelling infused with warmth, subtle and sensitive humor, and a deep understanding of the mother-son dynamic—will resonate powerfully with wide range of audiences worldwide, as well as with queer communities."

"Chica Checa is a film I believed in from the very moment Šimon first pitched me the idea," says Alžběta Janáčková of Silk Film, the film's Czech producer. "At its core, it is a story about the quiet courage it takes to accept someone you love and to reinvent yourself in the process. Led by a remarkable cast including Pavla Tomicová, Jan Cina, and Alexandra Borbély, the film weaves intimate human drama, humor, and warmth into something rare: a story that is genuinely funny and deeply moving at the same time. We are thrilled to be bringing it to international audiences together with Pluto Film, whose commitment to cinema and emerging European voices makes them the ideal partner for this journey.”

"In a time when we are witnessing dramatic events all around the world, our team has tried to create a film that communicates challenging themes in a light and warm way, without losing its artistic value.” says director Šimon Holý. “The film, which we dedicated together with producer Alžběta Janáčková to our mothers, explores themes of intergenerational understanding and the unwavering desire and strength to live life the way we want, without harming anyone in the process.

Read the full article in Variety

Chica Checa will celebrate its World Premiere at Karlovy Vary IFF on Saturday 4/7 / 17:00 / Grand Hall.