The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) is gearing up for its 60th edition, set to take place in the Czech spa town from July 3 to 11. This year, the festival is doubling down on its commitment to Central-European co-production, with a focus on showcasing works-in-progress and fostering collaboration between filmmakers and publishers. Among the highlights of this year's program is the KVIFF Central Stage, which will feature 11 upcoming feature films directed by established filmmakers with festival pedigrees. These films, in various stages of development, production, or post-production, will be presented during an interactive talk show on the Film Industry Main Stage on Monday, July 6. The participating projects will also have access to exclusive post-production advantages and are eligible for the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award.
One of the standout projects in the KVIFF Central Stage program is "The Flying Mountain," written and directed by Nicolas Steiner, whose previous films have screened at Berlin, Rotterdam, and KVIFF. Switzerland will be represented by this project, which is a co-production between Switzerland, Ireland, and Austria. Ukraine will present two co-productions: "Screaming Girl" by director Antonio Lukich and "Noah" by director and screenwriter Marysia Nikitiuk. The Czech Republic has two representatives as well: Tomáš Hodan's "The Stones Are Rolling to Prague" and Tomáš Pavlíček's "A Few Branches Off."
In addition to the KVIFF Central Stage, the festival is launching its first-ever Book-to-Screen program, designed to create a market for film adaptation rights to original IP from Central and Eastern Europe. The program will feature eight literary works selected by an international jury for their strong cinematic potential. These books will be presented to domestic and international producers in a talk show format moderated by Niki Théron of the Frankfurt Book Fair on Tuesday, July 7. Among the books being pitched for possible adaptations are historical dramas, folk horror, and children's stories, reflecting the region's diversity of countries, genres, and themes.
The KVIFF Book-to-Screen program is a long-term ambition to become a true Central-Eastern European IP market, helping to develop dialogue between the film and publishing industries and create a more transparent environment for adaptation rights in the region. Hugo Rosák, the head of KVIFF Film Industry Programs, sees this as a way to strengthen cooperation between filmmakers and publishers and to bring fresh, original stories to the big screen. The festival's commitment to co-production and the book-to-screen initiative is a testament to its dedication to supporting emerging talent and fostering collaboration across the Central European film landscape.
