Introduction to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has recently introduced a new focus on Central European co-productions, renamed the Kviff Central Stage Showcase. This initiative aims to provide a platform for filmmakers from Central Europe to present their projects and connect with potential co-producers, financiers, and sales agents. The festival has selected 14 projects from eight different countries in Central Europe, which will be presented in its 59th edition next month.
Selected Film Projects
The selected film projects are from established filmmakers with extensive festival experience, including Iran’s Nader Saeivar, who will present a project in collaboration with Cannes Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi. Other notable projects include an adaptation of Austrian author Thomas Bernhard’s novel "The Lime Works" by Andreas Horvath, and a new film by Hungarian director László Csuja.
Benefits for Participating Filmmakers
The participating projects will receive access to exclusive post-production advantages through a partnership with industry-leading studios and sound design companies. The Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000 ($23,000) will also be presented to one of the selected projects. The Kviff Central Stage Showcase will provide a unique opportunity for filmmakers to network and secure financing for their projects.
New Format for the Kviff Central Stage
The new format of the Kviff Central Stage was introduced to address a gap in the Central European film landscape, where filmmakers in the middle of their careers often have limited opportunities for visibility and financing. The showcase will feature interactive discussions about the career paths of the filmmakers and co-production options in the participating countries.
Featured Film Projects
Some of the featured film projects include:
- "The Lime Works" (Austria), an adaptation of Thomas Bernhard’s novel
- "Masaryk: The State Cancer" (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovak Republic), a historical drama
- "For the Fire" (Czech Republic, Netherlands, Slovak Republic), a drama in development
- "First Data" (Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Poland), a sci-fi film in development
- "Hijamat" (Germany, Türkiye), a new film by Nader Saeivar
- "Some Good News" (Hungary, Romania), a drama in development by László Csuja
- "Democracy Work Runs" (Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany), a social drama
- "Old" (Poland), a drama inspired by the director’s late mother
- "Insatiable" (Poland), a drama based on a novel by Malgorzata Lebda
- "Love" (Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Croatia), a romance film in post-production
- "Purgatory" (Slovenia, Austria), a drama by Žiga Virc
- "The Happiest Day" (Slovenia, Norway, Italy), a drama in pre-production
- "Vacuum" (Ukraine), a drama by Yelizaveta Smith
- "Production" (Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic), a new project by Ivan Tymchenko
Conclusion
The Kviff Central Stage Showcase is a unique opportunity for filmmakers from Central Europe to present their projects and connect with industry professionals. With a diverse range of film projects and a focus on co-productions, this initiative is set to become a key event in the Central European film calendar.
