Jiří Mádl
Actor, director and screenwriter
Jiří Mádl is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Czech cinema. His work combines a sensitivity for human stories with artistic courage — whether in front of the camera or behind it. He began his acting career in cult comedies (Snowboarders, Rafters), gradually establishing himself in more demanding dramatic roles, and since 2014 he has also devoted himself to directing and screenwriting. His debut To See the Sea captured the attention of both critics and audiences, while his subsequent film On the Roof (2019) further expanded his experience as a director and screenwriter. His third original project, Waves (2024), became a phenomenon — the most-watched Czech film of the year, awarded Czech Lions and the Sun in a Net Award, and shortlisted among the TOP 15 contenders for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
He has also made his mark internationally — appearing in the war drama Colette (2013), the Swiss film Charlotte, eine von uns (2010), and the co-production The Play (2019). He is the author of the novel The Attraction of Planet Kryptonand supports young creators through the Artefond initiative, inspiring new generations of artists to find their own voice.
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Jiří Mádl, on the film Waves
What does it take for a Czech film to attract hundreds of thousands of viewers, win a Czech Lion, a Slnko v sieti Award, and make it into the TOP 15 Oscar contenders? Jiří Mádl proves that even a project from a small country can create a wave that crosses borders.
In this evening talk, Jiří will connect impulses from the film industry with lessons from management practice: challenges every leader knows—balancing emotions and facts, agile improvisation, and leading a team under pressure. “Waves is about how to protect your loved ones and your own self in times when we could break under the pressure of lies and violence. Above all, it is a film about human relationships,” Mádl reflects.
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