Dive into Cinematic Delights this Summer at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) is a one-of-a-kind film festival set in a beautiful spa town. This year marks the 59th edition of the largest and most esteemed film festival in the Czech Republic, as well as one of the oldest in the world. Films from around the globe compete across various categories and are evaluated by both expert panels and audience votes. The top film is honored with the prestigious main award at the end of the festival—Crystal Globe.

To experience the Czech Republic’s most renowned spa town in an entirely new way compared to the rest of the year, attend the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. You’ll find a diverse lineup of events, including concerts, parties, and performances. KVIFF holds a prestigious Category A status, placing it among famous festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice. Every year, Var Var screens about 200 films from around the world, featuring expected premieres and hidden gems from the independent film circuit. The presidency of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival will not see a new appointment but instead will honor the memory of Jiří Bartosek. The festival’s management has been reassigned to the current executive director Kryštof Mucha.

A contribution to Czech cinema and a tribute to John Garfield

In 2025, the festival will honor Editor Jiří Brožek with the President’s Award for his contributions to Czech cinema. A nine-time recipient of the Czech Lion Award, Brožek has contributed to over a hundred Czech films. His editing talents shine through in several major Czech films, including classics like Vesničko má středisková, Postřižiny, Kulový blesk, and Je třeba zabít Sekala. In celebration of Brožek’s award, the film Death of the Beautiful Deer, which he worked on with director Karel Kachyna, will be screened in Karlovy Vary.

The festival will also pay tribute to John Garfield, an icon of American cinema in the 1940s. This underappreciated actor’s unique career will be commemorated in the Czech Republic through screenings of ten of his films. Notable titles include Four Daughters, Dust is my destiny, and Body and Soul. Garfield is celebrated for pioneering a naturalistic acting style well ahead of his time.

Michael Douglas to present restored film legend – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

This year, the Karlovy Vary Festival will feature a special presentation within the Returning to the Sources section to mark the 50th anniversary of the classic film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, directed by Miloš Forman. This iconic film won five Oscars and numerous other accolades. Michael Douglas, who produced the film and won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1975, will introduce the digitally restored version at the gala, along with producer Paul Zaentz, nephew of Saul Zaentz, who also co-produced the film, and the family of Miloš Forman.

Michael Douglas made an appearance in Karlovy Vary in 1998 and was awarded the Crystal Globe, a recognition shared with Saul Zaentz. Paul Zaentz collaborated closely with Miloš Forman on films like Amadeus (1984) and Goya’s Ghosts (2006). As a producer, he has also been part of award-winning films like The English Patient (1996) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).

Digital Ecce Homo Homolka

The long-standing tradition of showcasing digitally restored films from Czech and Czechoslovak cinema continues this year at the KV IFF with a special premiere of the film Ecce homo Homolka. This film, released in 1969, is a satirical comedy that depicts the life of a multi-generational family and is often noted as one of the final pieces of the Czechoslovak New Wave. Jaroslav Papoušek, who initially worked as a sculptor and cartoonist, also contributed as a screenwriter to pivotal works by Miloš Forman and Ivan Passer. After their emigration, he became the last member of this exceptionally talented trio still working in the local film industry.

What starts as a perfect summer day with Grandma and Grandpa Homolka, their son Ludva, daughter-in-law Hedush, and their twins going out for a little fun quickly morphs into a sharp comedy, exposing the challenges of cohabitation in a small apartment, often leading to minor disputes, feelings of unfairness, and varied ideas of familial happiness. The narrative combines brilliantly unique character portrayals, an accurate depiction of an ordinary Czech family in the 1960s, situational humor, and clever dialogues, many of which have gained such popularity over the years that they are now unforgettable catchphrases shared among viewers of different generations.

Digital news and new cinema in Císařské lázně

The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has developed an upgraded Vodafone KVIFF Guide app that will greatly enhance the ticket booking experience. The organizers focused on responses from the audience to improve ticket purchasing and the digitization of festival passes. This year, attendees can book their film screenings for themselves and their family much more swiftly. With an easier-to-use and faster app, guests will benefit from a 50% faster ticket queue clearance. The application available for iOS and Android features a comprehensive catalog of films and trailers, the festival schedule, the official festival livestream on KVIFF.TV LIVE, and details about supplementary events. Registered users can personalize their agenda and make favorite film lists. They will also receive important updates as notifications.

In addition to the usual festival theaters, this year there will be a new cinema located in Císařské lázně, uniquely designed with impressive architecture and advanced technical features. Architect Petr Hájek envisioned it as a standalone building within the historic neo-Renaissance hall. It is supported by six steel legs and doesn’t touch the original structure, preserving its historical value. Each piece of this new theater was carefully placed into the space through a roof opening, akin to constructing a sailboat in a bottle. This 283-seat cinema aims to increase the much-needed audience capacity for screenings on Friday 4. 7., Saturday 5. 7., Friday 11. 7., and Saturday 12. 7., 2025.

The long history of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival

The Karlovy Vary Film Festival is among the oldest film festivals worldwide. It first took place in 1946. During the communist era in Czechoslovakia, the festival had to operate under the constraints of political circumstances for four decades, adhering to ideological requirements set by those in power. After communism ended, the festival struggled for several years, attempting to establish its identity amidst public apathy. A significant turnaround occurred in 1994 with a new organizing team led by Czech actor Jiří Bartoška and seasoned film critic Eva Zaoralová. They worked to transform a stagnant event into a vital cultural and social meeting point of international importance, which successfully attracted younger film enthusiasts, making the festival a true cult experience.