Published: April 28, 2015| 01:00 PM

The Karlovy Vary festival is famous for its inimitable atmosphere, its openness to film lovers and its relaxed environment in which film stars and regular viewers can meet in one room. It is for these reasons that the opening of the 50th KVIFF has been conceived as a celebration of film and of the film fans who have been coming to the festival for the last 22 years and who have made it exceptional.

The ceremonial commencement of the Karlovy Vary IFF on July 3, 2015, will have a special programme. Following the opening ceremony and the screening of the opening film there will be a big festival party in the area around the Thermal Hotel and in the city streets. Every visitor can attend the celebration. A simple symbol – a paper bowtie or red make-up – will make everyone who wants to take part in the celebrations a VIP guest.

Following the opening film all visitors are invited to a special mega-concert in front of the Thermal Hotel at which the legendary Czech rock band LUCIE will hold an entirely unique performance as a gift for the jubilee. The concert is organised in cooperation with the general partner, ČEZ Group, as a variation on the traditional Energy Fest. This commencement programme will also include an audio-visual show by the well-known performer Vladimír 518.

Later, the public will be able to see a feature length documentary called Film Spa by director Miroslav Janek, mapping the previous years of the Karlovy Vary festival. The open-air screening at Mlýnská kolonáda will start at 11.30pm.