Following the Czech Film Fund’s transformation into the Czech Audiovisual Fund (CAF – see the news), Veronika Slámová has taken over as director after Helena Bezděk Fraňková, who led the fund for over two decades. With a background spanning international service production, creative development and roles at Czech Television, Slámová outlined to Cineuropa how she wants the CAF to stabilise internally, professionalise its international presence and strengthen the conditions that enable Czech projects to travel and co-produce.

Cineuropa: The transformation into the Czech Audiovisual Fund has now taken effect. What is the CAF’s core mission in this new phase?
Veronika Slámová: The transformation comes at the right moment. The CAF operates at the intersection of culture and industry, and its mission is to provide a stable, modern and credible support system, which is transparent in its decisions, readable from abroad and responsive to structural changes in the audiovisual ecosystem.

Your first few months coincide with an “on the fly” transition. What needs to be stabilised?
The formal change took effect quickly, while new councils and a new board were being created, and parts of the system were temporarily paused. Now, we need to complete the internal restructuring: clearly define competencies, responsibilities and decision-making processes. Although the CAF is relatively small, it involves around 60 staff members, and a similar number across its councils and board. This structure must be harmonised so that we can move from transition to long-term strategy.

Under “Vision 2035”, what are your main industry-facing priorities?
First, a systematic international presence for Czech works and talent. Participation in festivals and markets must be structured and evaluated – examining where we go, why and with which expected outcomes – in cooperation with the Czech Film Center and the Czech Film Commission.

The second priority is the sustainability of creative labour. Unpaid work, particularly in early development, remains a structural issue. Strengthening primary development support, and direct backing for writers and creators at the first-draft stage, allows projects to mature under stable conditions, which ultimately improves international competitiveness.

Third is script development. From an international perspective, the Czech system would benefit from more qualified, properly remunerated script doctors who have time to work in depth on projects. This has a direct impact on the quality and co-production potential.

You’ve emphasised a data-driven policy. Why is this important for international partners?
Competitiveness depends on predictability and credibility. To defend incentives, calibrate selective schemes and react quickly when a Czech title breaks through, we need reliable data on production volume, financing structures and audience reach. As a small country, we cannot rely solely on external datasets. The CAF must strengthen its analytical capacity and provide clearer reporting. That translates into more transparent decision making and better-targeted tools, particularly as we expand into high-end series and video games.

As you say, the CAF now supports television and video games. How does that reshape the ecosystem?
Supporting television content – fiction and documentary series as well as standalone TV films – is essential. Previously, the absence of support limited our ability to develop ambitious projects in a market where broadcasters face budgetary pressure and strong competition from global platforms. A dedicated Television Council increases the likelihood that artistically ambitious projects can emerge.

Video games represent a growing field with strong international reach. We are currently engrossed in the European Commission notification process, and are working with industry professionals to define the right balance between selective cultural support and broader development tools. Games increasingly converge with audiovisual storytelling, and their global visibility can benefit the wider sector.

The Czech Republic has increased incentives and raised the project cap. What impact do you expect from this?
Demand is already very high, which suggests that the tool is competitive. Incentives are essential in a European landscape where many countries offer strong schemes. The increased cap may help attract larger-scale productions, strengthening visibility and generating measurable economic impact. If adjustments are needed, we will evaluate them, but the framework is solid as it is.

What role does the Czech Film Commission play in this positioning?
The commission is crucial in attracting service productions and promoting the country’s production infrastructure, including regional film offices beyond Prague. We are also evaluating outreach to Asian markets and strengthening professional communication channels to ensure that international producers can easily access clear, practical information about working conditions in the Czech Republic.

The new levy framework brings VoD platforms into the system. How do you approach dialogue with streamers?
Dialogue is essential. The basic levy comprises two elements: the financial levy is set at 2%, with the option to reduce half of the levy through direct investment in qualifying Czech audiovisual production. On top of that, there is a direct investment obligation at 1.5%, or a levy of the same amount is to be paid. We will soon see whether platforms are opting for deeper local engagement or are simply paying the maximum levy. The outcome directly influences the resources available for development, production and international circulation.

What should international co-production partners understand about your vision?
We are building stability, rather than chasing isolated successes. International partners need a predictable environment, clear rules, transparent decisions and reliable institutions. At the same time, international positioning depends on domestic sustainability. If creators cannot sustain careers, projects will not reach their full potential. The CAF’s role is to create conditions in which high-quality work can emerge and travel.