„Our programs, which take place as part of KVIFF Industry Days, offer film professionals – creators, producers, distributors, sales agents – a unique opportunity to respond to new trends in the development of the audiovisual industry, which has undergone significant transformation in recent years. We are pleased that the new partner of KVIFF Industry Days is Oneplay, which is not only a key player in the field of streaming services but also significantly supports domestic authorship. One of the fundamental missions of the Karlovy Vary festival is to support new talents, for whom we want to create not only space for their own creation but also facilitate pathways to realize their projects. As part of our KVIFF Talents program, we have so far supported more than twenty projects, and many young talented creators who are already receiving awards for their films have participated in it,“ says executive director of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Kryštof Mucha, adding: „We are excited that we can host new activities at the festival, such as the Book-to-Screen project, which opens collaboration between the film and book industries.“
KVIFF Promises expands its international reach
The festival platform KVIFF Promises, formerly known as KVIFF Eastern Promises, has long connected upcoming film projects with producers, distributors, festivals, and sales agents. It is now dropping the regional designation to better reflect the broader scope of its activities. While maintaining a focus on Central Europe, it is also opening up to projects from around the world and strengthening its role as a significant platform for international co-production and the search for new titles. Thanks to cooperation with the Midpoint Institute, KVIFF Promises will continue to work with emerging talents as part of the Feature Launch program, which focuses on projects in the development phase. Established directors from Central Europe will also perform on the KVIFF Central Stage; Switzerland is newly joining the participating countries.
The first edition of the Book-to-Screen project at KVIFF
The first edition of the Book-to-Screen project at KVIFF is created in collaboration with the Frankfurt Book Fair, the World of Books, and the Moravian Library in Brno with the support of the PPF Foundation. The project is inspired by a similar initiative, Books at Berlinale, which has been successfully organized by the Berlinale Co-Production Market and the Frankfurt Book Fair since 2006. It will present up to ten book titles from Central and Eastern Europe suitable for film or series adaptation to producers. The long-term goal of the project is to support the development of the market for adaptation rights of literary works from this region and to strengthen collaboration between the film and book industries.
An international jury composed of representatives from these organizations will select 5–10 works to be presented on July 7, 2026, to domestic and foreign producers. The program will also include a panel discussion dedicated to film adaptations and networking meetings.
„The PPF Foundation was established in 2019 to help Czech talent find and open paths to the world. Three years ago, we were at the inception of the CEE Book Market program section at the World of Books Prague literary festival, which today plays an indispensable role in the international trade of works by Czech authors. At the same time, we supported the participation of the Czech Republic at the Frankfurt Book Fair, which we perceive as a unique opportunity to present Czech literature and culture to the German-speaking audience. And because we believe that it makes sense to create and support synergies between projects in which the PPF Foundation is involved, while also drawing inspiration from good practices abroad (in this case, the collaboration between the Berlinale film festival and the Frankfurt Book Fair), we also supported the new initiative of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival that focuses on film and television adaptations of literary works. I am pleased that in this collaboration, we all see the potential for new opportunities and benefits for Czech and Central European culture,“ describes the inception of the Book-to-Screen project at KVIFF Jana Tomas Sedláčková, a member of the PPF Foundation Board.
„Literature is one of the most important sources of inspiration for cinematography, television, and streaming platforms. With the Book-to-Screen project at KVIFF, we are creating another meeting place for publishers, agencies, and filmmakers, where they can discover new stories for film and series adaptations. At the same time, we want to highlight literary voices from Central and Eastern Europe and provide them with space in an international film context. Together with our partners, we look forward to further deepening the dialogue between the book and film industries in Karlovy Vary,“ says Juergen Boos, director of the Frankfurt Book Fair.
„We are glad to be at the inception of this project, which, thanks to all the involved organizations and the support of the PPF Foundation, has a chance to become the most significant event of its kind in our region. It has succeeded in connecting the book and film industries and thus opening another path not only for Czech authors abroad but also beyond the literary field,“ emphasizes Tomáš Kubíček, general director of the Moravian Library in Brno, which is preparing the honorary guest appearance of the Czech Republic at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair.
„The World of Books Prague perceives literature as a living source of stories that have the potential to transcend the boundaries of media and languages. The Book-to-Screen project at KVIFF represents an important step towards bringing strong voices from Central and Eastern Europe to an international audience through film and series production,“ says Radovan Auer, director of the World of Books Prague.
The KVIFF Talents program presents new projects
Part of the KVIFF Promises platform is also the KVIFF Talents program, which has been supporting bold and dynamic approaches in cinematography and other areas of audiovisual creation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia since 2022. This year, it will support six audiovisual works in the concept stage, selected from more than a hundred submitted projects. Selected participants will receive funding for development, mentoring from experts, the opportunity to present their project at a special event at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, support for producing proof-of-concept videos, stays at film festivals, and also residency stays in Karlovy Vary.
In the Feature Pool program, intended for feature films, three projects will be presented. Exposed, the feature debut of director Klára Tasovská, produced by Lukáš Kokeš, is set against the backdrop of a semi-legal queer environment in socialist Czechoslovakia. This mysterious thriller, taking place over 24 hours in the normalizing Prague of the 1980s, tells a universal story about personal dilemmas and the courage to stand up for one’s perception of reality through the story of a young photographer.
The intimate drama Nera is the feature debut of director Ivana Vogrinc Vidali and screenwriter Daria Miková. The story follows fresh graduate Tereza, whose relentless diagnosis gradually takes her sight. A guiding dog named Nera rescues her from despair, becoming a kindred spirit for Tereza. However, she soon encounters the limits of a system that has led Nera to absolute obedience and suppression of instincts.
The project Outflow by debuting screenwriter Lucie Čižinská tells the story of four women in their thirties who travel to France to visit a close friend with an incurable illness. The shared trip gradually turns into a confrontation with their own lives, relationships, and visions of the future. The intimate drama with elements of tragicomedy is produced by Tereza Wiński.
In the Creative Pool program, intended for audiovisual works of any format, this year two live-action series and one animated film will be presented. The series by the screenwriting duo Martina Babišová and Věra Starečková The Witch Hunt takes place in the 17th century on the Czech-Polish border and tells the story of noblewoman Katuša, who tries to save her sister from being burned but also to empower those around her. The project is produced by Dagmar Sedláčková.
The feature animated debut of director and animator Bára Anna Stejskalová Inhalatorium follows a thirteen-year-old girl who arrives to treat her asthma in a foggy, forest-surrounded mountain sanatorium. When her friend goes missing and the staff refuses to talk about him, Mara and her other friends set out in search of him.
The final project of this year's KVIFF Talents is the series by director Adam Sedláka and producers Linda Krejčí and Monika Soukup K-Dream, which tells the story of NIKŎ, a European obsessed with K-pop. After an unsuccessful attempt to kickstart his career as a K-pop star, NIKŎ returns to Europe to establish the first K-pop idol academy in Berlin. The main role in the K-Dream series will be played by Adam Mišík, who is also involved in the project as a co-screenwriter.
In previous years, the program supported a total of 23 projects. Among its participants were, among others, the recent winners of the Czech Lion – director Terézia Halamová and producer Natália Pavlove, as well as director and screenwriter Dužan Duong.
„Supporting young and talented creators has long been one of our key areas. We perceive the KVIFF Talents program as a unique platform that gives rise to new projects while also helping authors develop their creative potential under the guidance of experienced professionals. We see great value not only in financial support but also in the opportunity for consultations, sharing experiences, and establishing professional contacts. Such an environment is essential for the creation of strong and original stories that can resonate with audiences both at home and abroad. We are pleased that as the ČEZ Foundation, we can be a part of this initiative and contribute to the development of a new generation of creators in Czech and Slovak audiovisual production,“ says Mgr. Michaela Ziková, MBA, director of the marketing and sponsorship department, vice-chairwoman of the board, and director of the ČEZ Foundation.
„Supporting young talents is a very personal topic for me. I started at Mattoni in a junior marketing position and was given the chance to develop, learn, and grow. Thanks to the trust and space the company gave me, I gradually worked my way up to the role of CEO. That’s why I believe that giving opportunities to the upcoming generation makes sense, as it can fundamentally change their professional and personal paths,“ says Ondřej Postránský, CEO of Mattoni 1873.
„We have been connected with KVIFF Talents for two years, and we are pleased that we can continue this collaboration. Oneplay is not only the strongest domestic streaming platform but also a space for new visions, talents, and the courage to try things differently. That’s why working with the upcoming generation is key for us – whether it’s students at our CME Content Academy, collaboration with FAMU, or young talents from the secondary school in Panská. We want to give creators the space and background to grow and create without unnecessary barriers. We are happy to have been involved in the projects of Diana Cam Van Nguyen or Daria Kashcheeva, and we believe that within KVIFF Talents, authors are being discovered who may one day define the shape of Oneplay Originals.” says Head of PR&Communication Michal Prokeš.
„Partnership with the KVIFF Talents program is a natural step for us. The Karlovy Vary region has a unique position – home to an international film festival and also a region with growing potential in cultural and creative industries. By supporting the fourth edition of KVIFF Talents, we want to connect this potential with specific opportunities for audiovisual creators. KVIFF Talents addresses exactly the type of creators we want to open doors for in the Karlovy Vary region – bold, with original projects and a desire to push the boundaries of audiovisual creation. Our partnership is not just about visibility at the festival. It is a signal that the region stands behind the creative economy and can publicly acknowledge it,” says Ing. Vlastimil Veselý, director of the Regional Innovation Center of the Karlovy Vary Region.
Project partners include the ČEZ Foundation, Mattoni mineral water, Oneplay, the Regional Innovation Center of the Karlovy Vary Region, and Forbes.
Oneplay is a partner of Screen Focus Sessions
The festival continues last year's introduction of an industry section focused on series production and further expands its program to reflect the growing importance of content created for television stations and streaming platforms in Central Europe. The Screen Focus section will welcome a key partner, Oneplay, which will support a number of panels, masterclasses, and presentations tailored to the current needs of film professionals in the region.
Producers, representatives of broadcasters and platforms, as well as creators will have the opportunity to discuss topics such as international co-productions, regional storytelling, export potential, and production value of audiovisual works. With the support of Oneplay and the participation of leading regional players, KVIFF Industry Days will focus more on the specifics of series and multi-format production, both in terms of creativity and production itself.
„I am very proud that after last year’s successful initiative within the CME group, this year we are fully developing our partnership with KVIFF Industry Days under the Oneplay brand. The connection of these two strong brands is a logical conclusion of the transformation of the entire market. Major festivals have historically been the domain of film, but today’s audiovisual industry is an interconnected space where television and streaming platforms play a fundamental role,” says general director of the Nova Group Daniel Grunt, adding: „Our goal is not only to present our own content but to actively co-create a professional environment for networking and support for all creators. Within the Screen Focus Sessions section, we want to be a partner that perceives trends in the region in a broader context and, together with the festival, raises the bar for quality and production value in Central Europe even higher. We are continuing our long-term strategy to create prestigious content that scores not only with audiences in the region but also at festivals and with professionals.
Expert program: From the ethics of true crime to alternative distribution
The Film Industry program will again bring a series of presentations, discussion panels, and workshops with leading experts from the fields of audiovisual, cinematography, and series production from the Czech Republic and abroad. Thematically, it will focus on questions of production quality, ethics of true crime stories, alternative distribution models, innovative approaches to storytelling, and financing projects from private sources. In cooperation with the Association of Audiovisual Producers and the State Fund for Audiovisual Creation, the traditional Czech Film Forum will take place, where Czech producers and creators will reflect on the past year. The program will also include a presentation of currently available and usable AI tools. In cooperation with ICDA, part of the program will address the issue of casting in Central and Eastern Europe. This year, KVIFF will also host meetings of the presidium of the European Film Academy, which awards the European Film Awards.
International Casting Directors Association at KVIFF
At this year's Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the International Casting Directors Association (ICDA) will present its annual Semiramis Award for Excellence in Casting. The Semiramis Award honors outstanding achievements in the field of casting and highlights the creative contribution of casting directors to the success of film and television projects.
„This year represents a pivotal moment in the history of our profession,“ stated ICDA president Lana Veenker. „In 2026, we celebrated the awarding of the first European Film Award for casting directors and subsequently the first Oscar for best casting. This recognition confirms that casting is at the very core of film creation. The Karlovy Vary festival, thanks to its long-term support of auteur cinema and new talents, represents a natural environment for exploring the creative role of casting in shaping films. We are pleased to be guests at the 60th edition of the festival with a program dedicated to the art and vision that casting brings to the screen.“
The International Casting Directors Association (ICDA) is a global network of professional casting directors working in film, television, and new media. It brings together experts, promotes artistic exchange, advocates for professional standards, and strives for the recognition of casting as a key creative discipline in storytelling.
Global Media Makers Residency heads to Karlovy Vary
In collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava and Prague and the organization Film Independent, a nonprofit institution based in Los Angeles supporting independent filmmakers, KVIFF Industry Days will host the Global Media Makers Residency program. This program is designed for 14–20 independent producers from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The program, conceived as an intensive practical residency, will focus on new approaches to private financing and draw inspiration from the American film industry. Through curated meetings, case studies, and direct exchanges of experiences with international experts, participants will gain practical insights into financial structures, project presentation strategies, and international collaboration. They will also have the opportunity to actively participate in KVIFF Industry Days and the KVIFF Promises program.
