Drama, Romance

Slovakia / Czech Republic, 2026, 85 min

Director: Pavol Hirjak
Screenplay: Pavol Hirjak
Camera: Jan Vališ
Producer: Vladimír Sabadoš
Cast: Tadeáš Moravec, Mária Miklošková, Marko Igonda, Bronislava Kováčiková, Tomáš Havlínek, František Beleš, Katarína Krajčovičová, Michal Soltész, Miroslav Kumhala, Tomáš Magát, Diana Semanová, Dávid Snopek, Kristián Baran, Mário Mačičák, Vanessa Weisz, Juraj Stebila

Locations in the Košice Region: Medical mobile unit in Kaluža, Yellow bus stop in Kaluža, Amusement rides at Zemplínska šírava, Swimming pools in Kaluža, Yacht Village pier, Paľkovo Beach, Scenes filmed on boats directly on Zemplínska šírava

The Last Season is a summer Slovak-Czech coming-of-age love story set on the shores of Zemplínska Šírava.

Alan, a promising young boxer, spends a lonely summer on the road with his family’s travelling amusement rides. Trapped among the flashing lights of the attractions, he dreams of a life that would offer him greater freedom and recognition. During his final summer season at the lake, he meets Viki, a lifeguard, and an unexpected bond develops between them. Their relationship gives both of them the courage to take a new direction in life. After failing her university entrance exams, Viki struggles with disappointment and searches for her own path. Over the course of one summer, they find support in each other. Every decision brings them closer to a fundamental change and teaches them to take responsibility for their own lives. Their summer at Šírava leaves a lasting mark on them and shows them that having the courage to step into the unknown can be the beginning of something new.

The Last Season was filmed in the summer of 2024 at Zemplínska Šírava and in Michalovce. The film was directed by Pavol Hirjak, who was born in Michalovce, and is his feature-film debut and graduation film from FAMU in Prague. He collaborated on the project with fellow Michalovce native and producer Vladimír Sabadoš. Approximately 200 extras from Michalovce and the surrounding area appear in the film.

The film had its world premiere on June 23, 2026, at the Art Film International Film Festival in Košice. It will be released in Slovak cinemas on September 17, 2026.

The project was also produced with financial support from the Košice Region through the Terra Incognita programme.