by Dr Martin Šmatlák

Slovak cinematography is an inseparable part of both the Slovak national culture and the European audiovisual context. Its outcomes and creative power only confirm this, despite the fact that the production and technological conditions for film work in Slovakia have not always been optimal. Throughout its existence in the 20th century, Slovak film was also influenced by the fact that since the beginning of continuous film-making and production it operated under the conditions of a state monopoly or under the distinctive control and influence of the state and political authorities. That is why today Slovak audiovisual culture must continue to search for a financial solution and system which will ensure its continuous existence in the market economy and guarantee its sustainable development with the support of public finances and the free creative competition of new content.

After nearly seven decades since the beginning of systematic film production in Slovakia, more than 40 years after the most creative period of Slovak film and after a quarter-century of change in the social and economic regime, Slovak film, despite several historical changes, has considerable creative potential, which can grow in the new conditions of the Slovak cultural and economic context and enter successfully into the international scene.

After creating a stable financial, legal, educational and institutional background of the Slovak audiovisual for its further development, what will be important is the gradual improvement of the technological infrastructure, the implementation of other financial mechanisms and proactive presentations of the achievements in the Slovak and European cultural context.