DANAE Production’s debut The Father demonstrates the fundamental focus of our creative and production interest – powerful, profound and ambiguous stories.

 

Characteristics:

A single tragic mistake shatters the life of a devoted father, pushing his marriage and his will to live to the brink. As he faces a long prison sentence, he begins to realize that his failure may be rooted deep in the architecture of the human mind. Told with raw intimacy and psychological precision, Father is a gripping portrait of love, shame, and the quiet struggle to forgive the unforgivable.

Inspired by real events

 

Director: Tereza Nvotová
Story: Dušan Budzak, Tereza Nvotová,
Script: Tereza Nvotová, Dušan Budzak
Cinematography: Adam Suzin
Editing: Nikodem Chabior
Music / Original Score: Pjoni
Production Design: Nina Feriancová
Costume Design: Aneta Grňáková
Sound: Marek Hart, Ivan Horák
Special Effects: Michal Křeček
Executive producer: Barbara Vidlička Vrťová

Cast
Milan Ondrík – Michal
Dominika Morávková – Zuzka
Dominika Zajcz – Dominika
Martina Sľúková – Dáša
Aňa Geislerová – Eva
Peter Ondrejička – Juro
Peter Bebjak - Lawyer
Ingrid Timková - Prosecutor
Roman Polák - Judge

Distributor: Cinemart for Slovakia and the Czech Republic

Producers:
Veronika Paštéková, Anton Skreko
Karel Chvojka, Miloš Lochman
Marta Gmosińska, Mariusz Włodarski

Production Companies:
DANAE Production SK
moloko film, CZ
Lava Films PL

Co-producers and funds
Co-producers: Česká televize, TV JOJ
In collaboration with Magic Lab
Supported by: Slovak Audiovisual Fund, Czech Film Fund, Polish Film Institute
Partners: Citroën, STRABAG

Places of Shooting: Slovakia

Length: 103 min.

Language versions: Slovak / English and Polish subtitles

Shooting started in June 2023. Released in September 2025.

 

The Father has been selected for When East Meets West (IT, 2020), Baltic Event (EE, 2021) and Sofia Meetings (BG, 2022). 

On May 18, 2024, "The Father" was featured at Cannes as one of the five projects in the Marché du Film's Works in Progress.

Winner of the SCREEN INTERNATIONAL AWARD at the C EU Soon work-in-progress at MIA MARKET (2024)

The jury expressed the following motivation: “The director had the courage to face the darkness of the world with empathy, demonstrating a deep understanding of human storytelling. The cinematic language combined emotional intensity with nuanced character portrayal, while displaying great technical mastery of the craft.”
The Screen International Award consists of special press coverage by Screen International for the winning title.

82nd Venice International Film Festival, Horizons section
Cinematik film festival - Slovak premiere
98th Academy Awards® - Official Entry for Slovakia
European Film Awards 2026 - Shortlist Selection
Reykjavík International Film Festival 2025 - Open Seas
Finále Plzeň 2025 - Golden Kingfisher Competition
Zurich Film Festival 2025 | Golden Eye Award for Best Feature
Vancouver IFF 2025 - Showcase
Warsaw Film Festival 2025 - International Competition | Special Mention to Milan Ondrík
Rio de Janeiro IFF 2025 - World Panorama
CinEast 2025 - Official Competition
Energa CAMERIMAGE Film Festival 2025 - Cinematographers’ Debuts Competition -
Golden Frog for the Best Cinematography
Antalya Golden Orange FF 2025 - international Features Competition | Best Director Award
Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2025 - Beyond the Verdict
Stockholm Film Festival 2025 - Competition | Best Film and Best Screenplay Awards
Tallinn Black Nights IFF 2025 - Best of Festivals
AFI European Union Film Showcase 2025 - Special Features
Les Arcs Film Festival 2025 - Feature Films Competition