FDb.cz (Filmová Databáze) is one of the largest Czech online film databases, established in 2003. It serves as a central platform for movie and TV enthusiasts in the Czech Republic, offering extensive information on local and international movies, series, actors, and creators. Although the website received only minimal updates over the years‑resulting in an outdated design and lack of alignment with modern web standards‑it successfully retained a large and loyal audience thanks to its rich content and strong community base.
The aim of the project was to bring FDb.cz up to modern standards without losing what made it valuable to its long-time users. The focus was on redesigning the site to be more accessible, user-friendly, and visually current. At the same time, the project sought to open the platform to a younger audience by introducing updated features, a cleaner design, and better integration with streaming services—ensuring FDb.cz stays relevant for both loyal users and a new generation of film fans.
The project required a complete rebuild of the website from the ground up, while preserving and migrating all legacy data.
The deadline was extremely tight, with the first functional version needing to be ready for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), where the new site was launched.
The content of Filmy, seriály, herci, recenze filmů - Filmová databáze online – FDb.cz is vast and complex, requiring careful handling of data migrations, transformation, and cleanup to ensure consistency and accuracy.
A key challenge was balancing the needs of the existing loyal user base with the expectations of a younger audience. It was difficult to find a middle ground that respected the old experience while appealing to new users.
Many features from the legacy site were used by a small number of users, but those users relied on them heavily. Deciding which features to cut while maintaining trust and value for the core community was a sensitive and complex process.
The redesign included a move to a modern, scalable architecture with future-proof technologies. This required the team to adopt and integrate new tools and frameworks effectively.
The public launch was highly visible and covered by media, so the infrastructure had to be ready for a significant spike in traffic beyond typical usage.
Delivering such a large and complex project under a shortened timeline created constant pressure on stakeholder communication and project management, requiring precise coordination and prioritization.
We began with a thorough analysis of the current state of the platform to fully understand the existing product. This included breaking down all features and examining real usage data to identify which ones were essential and which could be removed from scope.
In parallel, we defined the new target audience we aimed to attract. Alongside this, we established new performance and usability standards, which helped guide the selection of the updated technological stack.
Based on these insights, we created a clear business case for the new version of Filmy, seriály, herci, recenze filmů - Filmová databáze online – FDb.cz, including updated expectations around traffic, monetization potential, and maintaining or improving key metrics such as SEO and user retention.
Once the vision was set, we began working on the design phase in collaboration with our partner agency HMS, which was responsible for the refreshed brand and design concept. We built the final UI based on HMS's creative direction.
With the UI finalized, we moved into development by drafting detailed user stories and organizing tasks around functional priorities.
Development proceeded in short, iterative sprints to maintain momentum and manage complexity. The team operated at a high pace, requiring strong coordination and overhead management throughout.
As the release deadline approached, we had very limited time to stabilize the release candidate. Daily prioritization became essential to ensure readiness for the high-profile launch.
After the launch, we focused on completing deprioritized tasks while maintaining the live system and adjusting the infrastructure based on real-world usage patterns.
Since the release, we’ve continued to deliver new features and improvements on an ongoing basis.
The relaunch of FDb.cz in July 2025 received positive media attention for successfully modernizing the platform while maintaining its core community values. The updated design improved usability, introduced detailed multi-criteria film ratings, and integrated streaming availability, making the portal more relevant to younger audiences while still serving its long-time users. The new version was built on a modern, scalable tech stack designed for long-term growth and high traffic demands. With these changes, FDb.cz reinforced its position as a key player in the Czech and Slovak film landscape.
Let’s work together