The Crystal Globe Goes to the Czech-Slovak Documentary Better Go Mad in the Wild

For the first time in eight years, a domestic film has claimed the top prize at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The Crystal Globe at the 59th edition of KVIFF was awarded to the Czech-Slovak documentary Better Go Mad in the Wild, the latest work by the acclaimed Slovak documentary filmmaker Miro Remo. The film follows the lives of two peculiar men in their sixties in the forests of the Šumava mountains.

“This festival has been proving to me for years that it makes all the sense in the world. Thank you to Aleš Palán, who wrote a brilliant book that allowed us to enter that crazy world. It’s probably the greatest honour I’ve received as a filmmaker, and I appreciate it very much,” said Miro Remo, accepting the award from Stellan Skarsgård.

The Special Jury Prize goes to the Iranian drama about a young singer Bidad. “I thank the Iranian women for their courage, they taught me not to be afraid. They don’t need pity, they need support, so let’s give them a standing ovation,” said the film’s director Soheil Beiraghi to the audience in the Grand Hall.

The Best Director Award was shared by two filmmakers: French director Nathan Ambrosioni for his moving drama  Out of Love, and Lithuanian director Vytautas Katkus for his feature debut  The Visitor. The Best Actress Award went to Norwegian actress Pia Tjelta for her role in the romantic drama Don’t Call Me Mama, while the Best Actor Award was presented to Àlex Brendemühl for his performance in the Spanish film When a River Becomes the Sea. Young debut actress Kateřina Falbrová received a Special Mention from the jury for her role in  Broken Voices. “Who would’ve thought that the twelve-year-old snowflake would take the prize? I really hope that people my age will watch Broken Voices and take something away from it,” the young actress said.

The Právo Audience Award goes to a Czech film again, this time to the festival’s opening documentary We’ve got to frame it!, in which the late Jiří Bartoška reflects on his life and career. The long time Festival President was also remembered during the closing ceremony by host Marek Eben.

Sand City is the winner of the Proxima competition

The Proxima Grand Prix went to Sand City, a Bangladeshi elegy about the passage of time, human privacy, destruction and the tearful valleys of our inner worlds. “I can’t even express my emotions, it’s an incredible experience and a great stepping stone,” said director Mahde Hasan.

The Proxima Special Jury Prize was awarded to  Forensics, an experimental essay exploring unspoken traumas of modern Colombian history. The jury awarded a Special Mention to the tender Belgian road-movie Before / After.

The 60th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Festival will take place from 3 to 11 July 2026.