Partners of the 45th KV IFF

Dear Guests,

I am very pleased that I have the opportunity to greet you this year again on behalf of the CEZ Group that has become the general partner of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for the fifth time in a row.

We have the privilege to associate the name of our company with the fame of such an important cultural and social event as the film festival represents on a national and international scale.

Why CEZ and the film festival? Energy is definitely at least one thing that we have in common. In terms of the festival, it is the energy expended by the organizers, without which, no film festival, including this year’s, could be held. The audience and the visitors who have come to the film festival to become involved in the beautiful festival life for a few days, have brought their energy as well. And finally there is the electrical energy produced by CEZ and supplied to Czech households. This means it is also our energy that also vitalizes the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

Throughout the period of its existence, the International Film Festival has built up a good reputation as one of the most important cultural events in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which is annually visited by a number of European as well as the world figures and celebrities. The picturesque city of Karlovy Vary has thus become renowned and well-known in the numerous languages spoken by its visitors. Nevertheless, I am glad to say that the festival has remained a significant Czech event that is sure to attract all lovers of good films, in particular, the Czech ones.

Together with you, I am looking forward to watching the best works from the creative workshops of home and foreign film directors that the festival has organised for us this year.

Martin Roman
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

RWE and Czech film – this connection has embedded itself in the minds of not only film fans. According to our survey, 43% of people regard RWE as the most significant sponsor of Czech cinema. However, few people know that the support of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival was at the beginning and has endured for fifteen years.

At the beginning of July, Karlovy Vary becomes the cultural centre of the Czech Republic. The festival stands out through its unique atmosphere. It is a traditional place for bringing together people with similar interests, a place where we all like to come back to. And that is not only because of high-quality film projections, but also thanks to the excellent work of the organisers, rich accompanying events and the unique scenery of the beautiful spa town. For RWE, it is an honour and pleasure to be part of it.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I look forward to seeing you again in Karlovy Vary.

Martin Herrmann
Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
RWE Transgas, a.s.

I am very pleased that Vodafone, for the fourth time in a row already, can partake in ensuring that festival attendees enjoy the biggest Czech film event of the year. In this way we are continuing to intensify a fine tradition of cooperation between a mobile operator and the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

In addition to direct support of this event, we are traditionally providing festival attendees with a ticket booking system via SMS, so that they can avoid extensive queuing in front of the cash desks.

All the festival attendees can look forward to using an internet café, which Vodafone plans to open during the festival in front of the Thermal hotel.

Moreover, this year, Vodafone is going to organize a golf tournament, in which more than 100 players ranging from Vodafone business customers to actors, celebrities and filmmakers will participate.

Looking forward to see you in Vary!

Muriel

Dear festival visitors,

welcome back to Karlovy Vary, a city that every July becomes the capital of the film nation. The famous International film festival Karlovy Vary celebrates its 45th run this year. Let’s say it’s now a good-looker in its prime. Being the most important yearly movie event in Czech Republic and Central Europe, it always attracts thousands visitors, fans, professionals, journalists and VIP’s from all over the world.

This year our city offers the visitors a technology upgrade in the Čas cinema, one of the fundamental festival cinemas. A new technology enables top quality digital projections.

Last year we tested the newly build KV Arena as a new space for festival accompanying events and large screen projections. The test went well and we plan to use this space again this year.

A slight inconvenience of this year is the massive repair work taking place at the Stará Louka street on the left bank of the Teplá river that the city must have started this year. The repairs will be suspended during the Festival and some parts will be already finished, however, the city administration makes an apology to city visitors for this little discomfort. The Czech road builders use to have a slogan on these occasions: “we must repair it!”, which fits our situation pretty well. The remuneration for the patience will be brand new refurbished promenade next year that will serve the city for several decades. It’s definitely worth a little sufferance.

After a year, the movie fever rises again, welcome to the city that never sleeps! Yes, they say this about The Big Apple, but during the first days of July it applies to hundred-sixty times smaller city of Karlovy Vary, too. All the folks keenly rush into this swirling bustle, making it swirl actually just by their very presence. I am looking forward to meeting you inside this year again!

Werner Hauptmann
Lord mayor of Karlovy Vary