Dear fans of film and cinema,

Early July is traditionally associated with the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, thanks to which our region is visited by international stars of the big screen, film fans, and many others who couldn’t possibly miss this cultural and social event. As in the past, this year’s 57th festival edition will again be full of cinematic and other experiences.

Besides the usual screenings of films at various cinemas throughout town, the festival also offers a diverse accompanying program that is sure to have something for festivalgoers of all ages. One great attraction will undoubtedly be a visit to the Imperial Baths. Besides hosting various festival events, this renovated national cultural monument can also be visited on tours that highlight the history of the former spa building and its new, breathtaking appearance and contemporary uses.

The Karlovy Vary Region has long been one of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival’s main partners, a role that we naturally view with a sense of obligation. Our goal is for all visitors to feel comfortable here, and for filmgoers to see local sights away from the festival as well. We look forward to you all and we hope that this year’s festival will once again be full of entertainment, discoveries, and beautiful experiences.

I personally am a great fan of Czech and international film, and so I hope to see you at one of the festival’s cinemas. May you enjoy the town’s and the region’s unique atmosphere to the fullest, and may you depart feeling that your visit to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival was such a powerful experience that you will want to visit again – next year, at the latest.

Petr Kulhánek
Governor of the Karlovy Vary Region