The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has restructured its Business Days program to enhance its offerings, now extending from July 6 to 9, making it a full day longer than in previous years. This revamped schedule aims to attract a broader audience and increase participation from industry professionals, making it a vital platform for networking and collaboration.

The revised program will emphasize Central European co-productions more than ever before. The Eastern Promises platform has also been updated to reflect the evolving nature of the film industry. This year’s festival will feature new presentations and events centered on television content and series development. A highlight of the festival is the introduction of a Pop-Up Series Incubator, showcasing five original European series that represent a diverse range of storytelling and production styles.

Kryštof Mucha, the Managing Director of Karlovy Vary, expressed his enthusiasm: “We believe that we have a unique opportunity to solidify our position as the leading industry event dedicated to Central Europe, a region that includes creative powerhouses such as Poland, Germany, and Austria, and deserves focused international attention.”

“Our aim is to serve as a central hub for producers, filmmakers, broadcasters, and streaming platforms from Central Europe, alongside global industry professionals who are eager to engage closely with this vibrant region and its burgeoning talent.”

“Recognizing the growing crossover of storytelling across various mediums, our expanded Business Days now possess the vision and capability to fully embrace this evolution in the industry,” Mucha added, highlighting the festival’s commitment to innovation and adaptation.

Spotlight on Central Europe: New Showcase for Film Projects
Among the most significant innovations this year is a fresh format dedicated to presenting film projects currently in development. The previous Works in Progress pitches will be replaced by a “more dynamic” showcase known as the Central Stage, specifically focused on Central and Eastern European initiatives. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the festival’s film industry office and the national film institutes of Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

The showcase will feature 13 fiction films by established filmmakers from these nations that are in the late stages of development, production, or post-production. Instead of traditional pitches, the projects will be introduced through interactive discussions, focusing on the filmmakers and the co-production landscape within each participating country.

Hugo Rosák, head of the Karlovy Vary industry office, explained: “We opted for this new format because it addresses a real gap in the Central European film landscape. There is significant support for emerging filmmakers across Eastern Europe; however, mid-career filmmakers often lack the necessary spotlight and resources to secure financing, even though their projects are equally compelling.”

The Central Stage showcase is set to take place on July 8, promising to be an engaging event for all attendees.

Expanding Horizons: Embracing Small-Screen Content
Another key development in this year’s industry program is the expansion beyond feature films to include small-screen content, made possible through a new partnership with Central European Media Enterprises. A dedicated event program will consist of showcases, panels, workshops, and discussions featuring leading figures from the small-screen sector, set to occur on July 8 and 9.

Rosák stated: “With CME’s support, the festival can now fully realize its potential as a premier meeting place and showcase platform for small-screen content across Central and Eastern Europe. Rather than competing with existing specialized events, this initiative leverages the unique strengths of Karlovy Vary in fostering international connections and providing an ideal setting for presenting and developing television and streaming projects alongside traditional cinema.”

Innovative Pop Up Series Incubator for Emerging Projects
A crucial aspect of the new focus on small-screen content is the Pop Up Series Incubator showcase on July 8, a fresh series development program designed to support European producers and screenwriters by enhancing their projects through hands-on development, expert mentorship, and financial assistance.

The eight-month-long program, organized by Tatino Films, culminates in Karlovy Vary with a pitching session where creative teams will present their series concepts to industry professionals and decision-makers, followed by curated matchmaking sessions with experts looking to finance or produce series.

Matthieu Darras, CEO of Tatino Films, remarked: “The impetus to create the Pop Up Series Incubator stems from our observation and analysis of the rapid evolution of the European audiovisual landscape, along with the significant exchanges we have had with alumni of Tatino programs. Intellectual property has become the buzzword of the audiovisual industry. Most upcoming shows from streamers are adaptations of existing IPs – whether literary, audiovisual works, or even true stories. The reason is simple: building an audience or generating attention from scratch is perceived as too risky and unlikely, given the financial implications of drama series production.”

“This ‘IP Adaptation Game’ is generally reserved for major players, but the Pop Up Series aims to create opportunities for audiovisual talents that are not necessarily in the orbit of global giants like Banijay, Fremantle, or Mediawan, to adapt their own IPs into compelling series projects. We believe there is room for more niche and/or innovative series that tap into under-explored IPs, thereby contributing to offering fresh and meaningful stories to diverse audiences.”

The selected projects to be showcased in Karlovy Vary include:
“Angelmaker” (Romania)
Producer: Anda Ionescu, Tangaj Production
Writer: Cristina Grosan
Based on a true story of the Angel Makers of Nagyrév
Accompanied by screenwriters Leana Jalukse and Loïc Barrère

“Erotic Lives of the Superheroes” (France)
Producer: Eric Dupont, Incognito Films
Based on “La Vita Erotica Dei Superuomini,” an Italian novel by Marco Mancassola
Accompanied by screenwriters Nadya Todorova and Ruddy-Williams Kabuiku

“The Night of the Beguines” (France)
Producer: Candice Zaccagnino, Eliane Antoinette
Writer: David Roux
Based on “La Nuit des Béguines,” a French novel by Aline Kiner
Accompanied by screenwriter Yaelle Kayam

“The Three Burials of Irma” (Greece)
Producer: Fenia Cossovitsa, Blonde S.A.
Writer: Elina Psykou
Based on “Alfatride” (O iatrodikastis), a Greek novel by Vassilis Vassilikos
Accompanied by screenwriter Lemba de Miranda

“Therapies” (Lithuania)
Producer: Dagnė Vildžiūnaitė, Only a Second
Writer: Birutė Kapustinskaitė
Based on a play by Lithuanian author Birutė Kapustinskaitė
Accompanied by screenwriters Fabrizio Muscia and Ruxandra Ghitescu

Highlighting New Works: Feature Release and Focus Queer Competing for Prestigious Awards
One of the staples of KVIFF’s Eastern Promises section, the Midpoint Institute’s Works in Progress international script development program will present nine feature-length projects currently in development, along with five additional projects developed within the Midpoint – Focus Queer program, which supports filmmakers exploring queer narratives and emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in contemporary storytelling.

The projects, currently seeking co-production partners, will compete for the €10,000 Midpoint and KVIFF Development Award, as well as the €20,000 Eurimages Co-production Development Award. The presentations will take place on July 7, providing an excellent opportunity for engagement and networking.

KVIFF Skills: Empowering Emerging Talent in the Film Industry
Now in its third edition, KVIFF Skills is a year-long initiative aimed at discovering and supporting talented Czech and Slovak filmmakers and contemporary audiovisual genres. The Creative Pool focuses on identifying innovative ideas for audiovisual works of any genre or format — from short films and series to podcasts or gaming concepts. Meanwhile, the Feature Pool is dedicated to supporting the development of original auteur-driven feature-length fiction films.

This year, nearly 200 submissions were received, resulting in the selection of six projects — three series and three feature films. These projects will receive development funding, mentorship from industry experts, and the opportunity to present their works to potential producers, partners, and investors during the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. The creative teams will pitch their projects to potential production partners during a dedicated KVIFF Skills showcase on July 7.

Additional support includes the possibility of a residency in Karlovy Vary and other tailored forms of assistance, ensuring that emerging filmmakers have all the resources they need to succeed.

KVIFF Skills – Selected Projects Showcasing Emerging Talent
Feature Pool:
“Anonymous” (Czech Republic)
Feature debut combining live action and stop-motion animation
Animator and director: Daria Kashcheeva
Producer: Lukáš Kokeš, Nutprodukce

“Spirit Moose” (Czech Republic, Slovakia)
Feature film – thriller
Director: Tomáš Klein
Screenwriter: Barbora Námerová
Producer: Tomáš Michálek, Master Film

“Burnout” (Czech Republic)
Feature debut based on the novel by Petr Šesták
Writer and director: Greta Stocklassa
Producer: Marek Novák, Xova Films

Creative Pool:
“Mould” (Czech Republic)
Animated series for both children and adults
Animator and director: Phillip Kastner
Producer: Tereza Havlová

“Lost Boys” (Czech Republic)
Anime series
Writer and director: Dužan Duong
Producers: AZN kru and Nutprodukce

“Remake” (Czech Republic)
Live-action musical series
Writer and director: Kateřina Letáková
Producer: Daniel Bleha, Filmkolektiv

Comprehensive Industry Events Anchoring an Expanded Program
In addition to these new and established showcases, the extended KVIFF Business Days will provide its traditional mix of events, including the Czech Film Industry Forum and the International Industry Insights Forum, a series of swift sessions offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of affairs both locally and globally.

The program will also include more in-depth workshops, panels, and discussions on the Workshop Stage, along with extensive industry networking and meeting opportunities. The complete Business Days schedule will be published later in June, ensuring all participants are well-informed and prepared for the exciting events ahead.