Let's meet a member of film jury: Jan E. Svatoš

Jan E. Svatoš was born on May 14th 1984 in Nové Město na Moravě and graduated in Prague FAMU, FSV Charles Univesity and FAMO in Písek. He is a winner of two special awards of Special Jury Award (JADE KUNLUN Special Jury Award and Special Jury Award in Wlodzimierz Puchalski International Nature Film Festival (WFO Lodž, Poland).

Jan is an author of more than 10 documentaries, most of which were entered into competitions and were awarded in International film festivals. The most successful films together with divoČINY are The Ark of Lights and Shadows (Archa světel a stínů), Africa Obscura and Nobody Asked (Nikdo se neptal).

In 2010 he organized a photo expedition Photo Comebacks (Fotografické návraty) where he took pictures in unwelcoming parts of North Kenya using old analog techniques and developing films in a portable dark room.

In 2018 he finished his debut which is a feature documentary The Ark of lights and shadows on which he worked since 2008. The world famous film-maker Werner Herzog also participated in this film which has already won 4 festival awards.

At the moment he is preparing a new feature film When a Lion Roars (Až zařve lev) about a Czech king Přemysl Otakar II. and a pilgrim Odorik.