Katalin Moldovai’s inaugural feature film, Without Air, achieved major recognition at the 3Kino Festival in Prague over the weekend. The film earned both the Youth Jury Award and the Golden Debut accolade for best first-time director.
The 3Kino Festival, now in its 11th year, is Central Europe’s largest film showcase, celebrating the region’s cinematic excellence and fostering interest in its contemporary culture, particularly among young audiences. According to the National Film Institute (NFI), which announced the news on Tuesday, the festival features screenings, premieres, audience interactions, workshops, and artistic exhibitions.
Moldovai’s Without Air was developed with support from the NFI Incubator Programme and inspired by real events. The film follows an esteemed literature teacher who maintains excellent relationships with her students and colleagues but faces turmoil when a parent files a complaint against her over a film recommendation. Her appeal sets off a chain reaction that tests her personal and professional bonds.
Having premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, the film has since enjoyed critical acclaim and success on the international circuit, winning awards in Warsaw, Arras, Mons, Thessaloniki, Belgrade, Mannheim–Heidelberg, Trieste, Łagów, and Košice. It also made the shortlist for the European Film Awards.
Produced with the backing of the NFI, Without Air is a collaboration between Magma Cinema, Spot Film, Salamandra Film, and Digital Fiction Studios. The film stars Ágnes Krasznahorkai, Tünde Skovrán, Soma Sándor, Áron Dimény, Zsolt Bölönyi, and Ágnes Lőrinc. Executive producer Attila Béla Kovács, alongside producers András Muhi and Katalin Moldovai, led the project, with Zsuzsi Gyurin as co-producer.
The film’s screenplay was co-written by Zita Palóczi and Moldovai herself. András Táborosi handled cinematography, Orsolya Soltész edited the film, and Gyopár Bocskai designed its visuals. The sound was engineered by Gábor Kerekes, and the original score was composed by Tibor Cári.
For audiences eager to watch, Without Air is available via the NFI’s online platform, Filmio.
This festival triumph further cements Katalin Moldovai’s standing as an emerging voice in Central European cinema.
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