Jun 30, 2025

Czechia's Biggest Film Festival Returns: What to Expect at KVIFF 2025

Prague Morning

Karlovy Vary is preparing for nine days of cinema, conversation, and culture as the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) returns from July 4 to 12, 2025.

This year’s edition promises a packed schedule with over 200 films, celebrity guests, concerts, and public discussions, making the spa town once again a temporary capital of world cinema.

Hollywood Star Michael Douglas Joins the Celebration

A major highlight for 2025 will be the appearance of Michael Douglas, the American actor and producer. Douglas will visit Karlovy Vary to personally present a newly restored digital version of the classic “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” marking its 50th anniversary.

The screening will be a special tribute to director Miloš Forman, with members of the Forman family and Paul Zaentz, nephew of the film’s co-producer Saul Zaentz, joining Douglas at the event.

What’s on the Screen: Competitions and Premieres

The heart of the festival is the Main Competition, where twelve films will vie for the Crystal Globe. Entries include a mix of French and Iranian dramas, standout Czech productions, and independent voices from around the globe.

Representing Czech cinema is the drama “Sbormistr” (The Choirmaster) by Ondřej Provazník, inspired by real events surrounding choirmaster Bohumil Kulínský and the famous Bambini di Praga children’s choir.

Neighboring Slovakia will compete with the documentary “Raději zešílet v divízník” (I’d Rather Go Crazy in the Wild) by Miro Remo, offering an intimate look at men choosing to live as modern-day hermits, far from civilization.

 

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Un post condiviso da Karlovy Vary IFF (@kviff)

Proxima Section: Bold Debuts and Creative Risks

For those seeking innovation, the Proxima section offers a selection of thirteen experimental and debut films, focusing on new narrative approaches. One highlight is “On the Other Side of Summer” by Vojtěch Strakatý, a melancholic Czech entry. This year also brings a strong lineup of Latin American films.

Special Screenings and Czech Premieres

The Special Screenings section will showcase major festival favorites and Czech premieres. Audiences can expect the Sundance-acclaimed drama “All That’s Left of You” and the British feature “Dragonfly,” starring Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn.

From the Czech side, two anticipated titles are “Caravan” featuring Anna Geislerová, fresh from its Cannes debut, and “Summer School, 2001,” a coming-of-age story by Dužan Duong about the first generation of Vietnamese youth in Czechia.

How to Attend: Tickets, Passes, and Walk-In Options

Accessing the screenings is straightforward. Visitors can choose between individual tickets or the more flexible Festival Pass, available at festival box offices.

The Festival Pass includes:

  • Reservation rights for up to three screenings per day
  • Access to KVIFF Talks with actors and directors
  • Entry to press conferences (space permitting)
  • Free rides on festival shuttle buses and shared bikes around Karlovy Vary

For those without tickets, there’s a chance to attend screenings via last-minute entry. Five minutes before each film starts, any remaining seats are released on a first-come, first-served basis, though entry is not guaranteed.

Screening Venues Across Karlovy Vary

Most festival screenings happen at the Thermal Hotel, with six different halls including:

  • Velký sál (1,131 seats)
  • Malý sál (243 seats)
  • Congress Hall (264 seats)
  • Cinema A, B, C (each around 60–70 seats)

Additional venues across the city include:

  • Drahomíra Cinema (123 seats)
  • Cinema Čas (218 seats)
  • Karlovy Vary City Theatre (296 seats)
  • Husovka Theatre (96 seats)
  • Pupp Cinema (416 seats)
  • Lázně III (198 seats)
  • Imperial Spa Cinema (283 seats)

All locations are within walking distance from each other, making it easy to enjoy multiple screenings in a single day.

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