Ronny Sianturi
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) is set to mark a significant chapter in its storied history during its 2026 edition, celebrating both its 60th anniversary and 80 years since the inaugural festival. Organizers revealed a comprehensive program designed to honor these dual milestones, featuring a rich tapestry of classic cinema, commemorative exhibitions, and a revitalized festival space. The festival, scheduled to run from July 3 to July 11, 2026, will also bestow its prestigious President’s Award upon acclaimed Slovak actress Magda Vášáryová.
A Legacy of Cinema: Celebrating 60 Years and 80 Years of KVIFF
The confluence of the festival’s 60th edition and the 80th anniversary of its inception in 1946 presents a unique opportunity to reflect on KVIFF’s enduring legacy. This dual commemoration underscores the festival’s resilience and its consistent contribution to the global cinematic landscape. Organizers have curated a special program that delves into the festival’s past, present, and future, promising an immersive experience for attendees.
The historical significance of KVIFF is underscored by its status as one of the oldest film festivals globally. It was part of the "first wave" of post-war European film festivals, with its first edition held in August 1946 in the spa towns of Mariánské Lázně and Karlovy Vary. This initial iteration was a non-competition event showcasing 13 feature films, including international contributions. Crucially, KVIFF predates the first post-war editions of both the Cannes Film Festival (1946) and the Locarno Film Festival (1946), and even the renewed Venice Film Festival (1946), positioning it as the second-oldest continuously running film festival after the Venice Film Festival, which was founded in 1932 and re-established in 1946. The festival began presenting awards in 1948, and by 1950, it had permanently relocated to Karlovy Vary.
The discrepancy between the 60th edition and the 80-year history is attributed to several historical factors. The festival was not held in 1953 and 1955 due to political directives, leading to its subsequent operation on a biennial basis. Beginning in 1959, after achieving "A" status accreditation from the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations)—the same prestigious category as Cannes and Venice—KVIFF had to alternate years with the newly established Moscow International Film Festival. This arrangement, coupled with the cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, contributes to the difference in the anniversary numbers.
Revitalizing the Festival Experience
A key highlight of the 2026 edition will be the unveiling of a redesigned central festival space. The area surrounding the entrance to the Grand Hall of the Hotel Thermal is undergoing an architectural transformation aimed at enhancing the festival atmosphere for audiences. This renovation is intended to create a more engaging and communal experience, particularly during the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as general festival screenings. Organizers anticipate that the new design will foster a deeper connection among festival-goers and bring the excitement of guest arrivals and live commentary closer to the public, offering behind-the-scenes insights.
Honoring Cinematic Heritage and Cultural Icons
The festival’s commitment to celebrating its rich past will be evident through a diverse range of programming. Classic films from acclaimed directors such as Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and Ken Loach, will be showcased. Among the highlights is a gala screening of a digitally restored copy of Věra Chytilová’s 1989 tragicomedy Tainted Horseplay. This film, a significant work in Czechoslovak cinema, was the country’s submission for the Best Foreign-Language Film Oscar.
In addition to film retrospectives, KVIFF will feature an extensive photographic exhibition titled "KVIFF 60/80 (1946–2026)". This exhibition will explore the festival’s history, with a particular focus on its lesser-known early years, the unique atmosphere of its pre-1989 editions, and pivotal moments and guests. Thirty outdoor panels, strategically placed along the path between the Grandhotel Pupp and the Hotel Thermal, will guide visitors on a "symbolic journey" through the festival’s eight decades.
Furthermore, a special exhibition will honor the late former Czech President Václav Havel. As a prominent supporter of the festival for over three decades, Havel’s visits and interactions with global cinema representatives will be commemorated on what would have been his 90th birthday. This photographic display at the Hotel Thermal serves as a tribute to his enduring goodwill and patronage.
The "Out of the Past" Retrospective
The festival’s beloved "Out of the Past" section, dedicated to classic cinema, will be a cornerstone of the anniversary celebrations. This year, it will focus on significant films that have played a crucial role in KVIFF’s history, representing milestones that have shaped its identity and reputation. Artistic Director Karel Och noted, "One of the festival’s most popular permanent programs, which regularly looks back at the history of cinema, will take on a celebratory form this year. It will consist of twenty carefully selected films from previous editions of the festival, which are firmly linked to its history as milestones key to the KVIFF’s identity and reputation."
Confirmed selections for this retrospective include Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s A Matter of Life and Death, which was first screened at KVIFF in August 1947. Ken Loach’s seminal film Kes, a winner of the festival’s top prize for best film in 1970, will also be featured. Mexican director Emilio Fernández’s Río Escondido, presented at the festival in 1948, and Konrad Wolf’s drama Lissy, a recipient of a main prize in 1957 and a significant work from East German cinema, are also part of the curated list.
The program will also shed light on films with unique archival stories. The adventure drama Captain Thunderbolt, a fundamental film in Australian cinema, was thought to be lost until an original, uncut 35mm print was discovered in the Czech National Film Archive in 2024. This year’s program will commemorate the film’s premiere in the competition of the 7th KVIFF in 1952. Representing former Czechoslovakia, the Grand Prix winner from the 1964 edition, Accused, directed by the Oscar-winning duo Ján Kadár and Elmar Klos, will be screened. Additionally, Juraj Jakubisko’s cult classic and once-banned parable, Birds, Orphans and Fools, will be presented.
Preserving and Promoting Diverse Voices
KVIFF has a long-standing commitment to showcasing films from diverse regions, a tradition deeply rooted in its history. Antonín Martin Brousil (1907–1986), a journalist, educator, and internationally respected expert, played a pivotal role in shaping the festival’s character for several decades. As a founder and long-serving jury chair, Brousil was instrumental in establishing the festival’s identity. KVIFF Artistic Director Karel Och highlighted Brousil’s foresight, stating, "Before my predecessor, the artistic director Eva Zaoralová, there was her predecessor, one of the founders of KVIFF and Antonín Martin Brousil. It is also thanks to him and the Karlovy Vary festival that films from Africa, Asia, and Latin America are today admired at leading film festivals around the world. As early as 1962, Brousil created a platform for film pioneers from these very continents within the legendary section ‘Symposium of Young and New Cinemas’."
A Look Back at Political and Artistic Resilience
The festival’s journey has been marked by both artistic triumphs and periods of significant political influence. Organizers acknowledged that "the earliest editions had to contend with political realities that significantly intervened in its programming decisions." The 1950s saw the festival searching for a distinct identity, while the following decade represented a period of growth and international engagement. However, this was followed by two decades of "normalization," characterized by restrictions on film selection and awards. The easing of external pressures in the latter half of the 1980s gradually saw the return of more substantial foreign films and notable guests.
The post-Velvet Revolution era in 1990 marked a significant turning point, with KVIFF welcoming exiled and banned filmmakers and screening previously censored titles. Despite this resurgence, the festival faced uncertainty and deliberations about its future, even teetering on the brink of cancellation. The establishment of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Foundation, spearheaded by filmmaker, artist, and Ministry of Culture official Igor Ševčík, was crucial in removing the festival’s organization from state control. Under the leadership of President Jiří Bartoška and Artistic Director Eva Zaoralová, this transition initiated an extraordinary period of transformation, aligning KVIFF with modern international standards. This era also saw the end of the alternating festival years with Moscow, and since 1994, KVIFF has been held annually. The festival also successfully defended its status against attempts to relocate it to Prague, reaffirming its position as the Czech Republic’s premier cinematic event.
Special Events and Tributes
In a nod to the festival’s origins, the twin-city format of its first edition will be revived. A special preview screening of a selected film from the 2026 program will take place on July 1 at the historic Municipal Theatre in Mariánské Lázně.
The 2026 festival will also honor Magda Vášáryová with the President’s Award. Organizers stated, "The festival aims not just to express its respect for the performances of one of the greatest Slovak actresses of all time, but also to remember the unique artistic connection between the Czech and Slovak filmmakers who shaped our two countries’ shared cinematic history."
A Festival Shaped by Visionaries
KVIFF Executive Director Kryštof Mucha reflected on the festival’s enduring appeal, stating, "The Karlovy Vary festival is an event at which long-term tradition and the format of a modern film festival come together in a unique way. Few domestic cultural events can boast such a rich and varied history. This is thanks in part to the distinctive personalities who have shaped its identity at various points in its history." He emphasized the festival’s ability to withstand ideological control and external pressures, transforming into an internationally recognized platform that honors its legacy while confidently shaping the future of cinema. Mucha further elaborated, "the foundations laid by the festival’s first editions in the post-war years have given rise to an event that has managed to survive despite all internal tensions and external influences, that has withstood attempts at ideological control and efforts to abolish it, and that has succeeded in transforming itself into an internationally recognized showcase and a venue where filmmakers and audiences can meet in a unique atmosphere of harmony. It has become a festival that honors its legacy and that manages to reflect the present while confidently shaping the future of cinema."
The 2026 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival promises a multifaceted celebration, blending historical reflection with a forward-looking vision for cinema, solidifying its place as a vital institution in the global film community. Further programming details are expected to be announced in the coming months.
