KVIFF: The Film Festival That Turns a Czech Spa Town Into the Centre of Cinema🎥🎞️
Every summer, Karlovy Vary changes character. The elegant Czech spa town, usually associated with colonnades, mineral springs and pastel façades, suddenly fills with red carpets, queues outside cinemas, film students sleeping very little, and famous actors looking slightly surprised by how relaxed the whole thing feels.
That is the charm of KVIFF – the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. It is glamorous, yes, but not in the stiff, untouchable way some major festivals can be. In Karlovy Vary, world cinema meets beer gardens, late-night screenings, hotel lobbies, student backpacks and the occasional Hollywood legend walking through a town small enough for everyone to notice.
From Post-War Optimism to International Prestige
KVIFF began in 1946, just after the Second World War, at a time when Europe was trying to rebuild not only cities and institutions, but also culture. The first edition was held in Mariánské Lázně, with screenings also taking place in Karlovy Vary. By 1950, the festival had moved permanently to Karlovy Vary, where it has remained ever since.
The festival quickly grew in ambition. The Crystal Globe, its main award, was first presented in 1948, and in 1956 KVIFF was classified by FIAPF as a Category A festival – placing it among the world's major competitive film festivals.
Its history, though, was not always straightforward. For decades during the communist era, Karlovy Vary had to alternate with the Moscow International Film Festival, meaning it was not held annually in the way it is today. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the festival nearly disappeared altogether. Funding problems, political change and fading institutional support put its future in real doubt.
Then came the 1990s revival.
Actor Jiří Bartoška and film critic Eva Zaoralová became the defining figures of the festival's modern era. In 1994, they helped rescue KVIFF from the edge of collapse and rebuild it into a respected international event with a distinctive personality: serious about cinema, but never too self-important.
Bartoška remained the festival's president until his death in May 2025. The role of president has since been left unfilled in his honour, with Bartoška remaining president in memoriam – a rare gesture that says a lot about how closely his name is tied to the festival.
Why KVIFF Matters
KVIFF is the largest film festival in the Czech Republic and is widely regarded as the most prestigious film festival in Central and Eastern Europe. The festival's atmosphere is also famously informal – and that is not just marketing language.
Unlike some festivals where the divide between "industry" and "audience" feels like a wall, Karlovy Vary has always had a strong public-facing energy. People come not only to network or sell films, but to watch them. Students, critics, directors, actors, locals and tourists all share the same town for a few intense July days. It can feel like cinema has temporarily taken over the streets.
The festival is also important because it gives serious attention to films from Central and Eastern Europe while still attracting major international names. That balance – regional identity plus global reach – is one of the reasons KVIFF has managed to stay relevant.
Famous Guests, Beloved Hosts and Festival Personalities
Over the years, KVIFF has welcomed an impressive list of international stars, from Robert De Niro and Miloš Forman to Helen Mirren, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Casey Affleck, Russell Crowe, Dakota Johnson and many others. But the festival's personality has never depended only on celebrity appearances.
Jiří Bartoška was its most recognisable face for three decades: part president, part host, part cultural symbol. Eva Zaoralová gave the festival much of its intellectual and programming strength. Marek Eben, one of the best-known Czech presenters, has also become a familiar figure of the modern festival, hosting opening and closing ceremonies and interviewing major guests with his characteristically dry, gentle humour.
That mix is very KVIFF: a Hollywood star might receive a lifetime achievement award one evening, and the next morning audiences are rushing across town to catch a small debut film from Georgia, Chile, Myanmar or Slovakia.
Interesting Facts About KVIFF
One of the best things about KVIFF is that it has layers. On the surface, it is a major international festival with red carpets, juries and awards. Underneath, it is also a summer ritual.
The main prize, the Crystal Globe, is one of the festival's most recognisable symbols. KVIFF's status as one of Europe's oldest film festivals also gives it a sense of continuity: it began only a year after the end of the war, and 2026 marks 80 years since that first festival edition.
Another unusual feature is the setting. Karlovy Vary is not a huge city. It is a spa town, which means the festival feels unusually concentrated. You are never far from a cinema, a hotel terrace, a queue, a conversation about a film someone either loved or hated, or a celebrity sighting that sounds fake until three other people confirm it.
And then there is the audience culture. KVIFF is famous for people who watch a lot of films in a very short time. The true festival-goer's schedule is a kind of endurance sport: early screening, coffee, another screening, quick lunch, press conference, third screening, dinner, midnight film, repeat.
KVIFF 2026: What Is Happening This Year
This year's edition is a big one. The 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival runs from July 3 to July 11, 2026, and it also marks 80 years since the festival's founding in 1946.
The guest list is suitably heavyweight. Dustin Hoffman received the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema at the opening ceremony, and he is also presenting The Graduate, the 1967 film that helped make him an international star. Juliette Binoche is set to receive the same honour at the closing ceremony on July 11, with the festival screening several of her films, including Three Colors: Blue and Certified Copy. Cinematographer Robert Richardson, known for his work with directors such as Martin Scorsese, Oliver Stone and Quentin Tarantino, is also being honoured.
The 2026 edition also includes appearances and honours for Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jesse Eisenberg, both receiving the Festival President's Award, while other announced guests include Harvey Keitel, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick and Jeffrey Wright.
As for the films, the Crystal Globe Competition features 12 titles. The official selection includes films such as A Happy Family by Jan-Eric Mack, Behind the Rain by Valeria Sarmiento, Chica Checa by Šimon Holý, Only Beautiful Things to Look At by Ivan Ostrochovský, Hijamat by Nader Saeivar, and The Guest by Mads Mengel.
That range is part of the festival's appeal. KVIFF is not only about big names on the red carpet; it is also about discovery. You might arrive because Dustin Hoffman or Juliette Binoche is in town, but you could leave talking about a first-time director whose film you saw in a packed morning screening.
There is also a busy programme beyond the cinemas: talks, industry events, free public activities, concerts, exhibitions and festival zones spread across the town. In other words, even people without a full stack of film tickets can still feel part of the festival atmosphere.
The Magic of Karlovy Vary
KVIFF has survived political pressure, financial uncertainty, cultural shifts and, more recently, the disruption of the pandemic. What keeps it alive is not just prestige, but affection. People genuinely love this festival.
Maybe it is the setting. Maybe it is the mix of serious cinema and informal summer chaos. Maybe it is the way Karlovy Vary makes film culture feel open rather than closed off. Whatever the reason, KVIFF has become more than an annual event. It is a meeting point – between East and West, old cinema and new voices, glamour and genuine curiosity.
And in 2026, with its 60th edition and 80-year anniversary, Karlovy Vary is not just celebrating another festival. It is celebrating the fact that, after everything, people still gather in the dark to watch stories together.
❓FAQ: KVIFF
Why is KVIFF such an important film festival?
KVIFF is one of the oldest film festivals in Europe, founded in 1946, just one year after the Second World War. It became a major international festival in 1956, when it received Category A status from FIAPF. Over the decades, it has survived political pressure, major social change and even periods of uncertainty after the Velvet Revolution. Today, it is considered the leading film festival in Central and Eastern Europe, making Karlovy Vary a major destination for film lovers every summer.
Do I need tickets in advance?
Yes, it is a good idea to plan ahead, especially for popular screenings, premieres and events with famous guests. Some tickets may be available during the festival, but the most in-demand films can sell out quickly. Tourists should also check whether they need a festival pass, individual tickets, or both, depending on how many screenings they want to attend.
Is KVIFF only for film professionals?
No. One of the best things about KVIFF is that it is very open to the public. You do not need to work in the film industry to enjoy it. Many visitors come simply to watch films, see the red carpet, enjoy the town's atmosphere and take part in public events, concerts and festival zones.
What should I do in Karlovy Vary besides watching films?
Karlovy Vary is famous for its spa culture, mineral springs, colonnades and beautiful architecture. Tourists can walk through the historic centre, taste the hot spring water, visit cafés, try local spa wafers, explore viewpoints above the town, or take a trip to nearby nature areas. During KVIFF, the town also offers concerts, exhibitions and outdoor festival activities.
Can I see celebrities at KVIFF?
Yes, there is a good chance of seeing actors, directors and other film guests, especially near the Hotel Thermal, red carpet areas and major festival venues. However, KVIFF is known for its relaxed atmosphere, so the best approach is to enjoy the experience respectfully and not expect every celebrity appearance to be announced in advance.
📸 Some photos used under Creative Commons license. Full image credits here.
Author of the article: Anna