The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) has announced an exciting overhaul of its Business Days program, now extended to run from July 6 to 9, making it a full day longer than in previous years. This change aims to enhance networking opportunities and foster collaboration among industry professionals, creating a more dynamic environment for discussions and project development.

The revised program will place a stronger emphasis on Central European co-productions, and the Eastern Promises platform has been updated to reflect this renewed focus. Additionally, the festival has expanded its offerings to include new screenings and events dedicated to television series development and small-screen content. A notable addition is the Pop-Up Series Incubator, featuring five unique European series aimed at nurturing creative talent and innovative storytelling.

Kryštof Mucha, the Managing Director of KVIFF, expressed optimism about the festival’s direction: “We believe that we have a unique opportunity to solidify our position as the leading industry event focused on Central Europe, which includes creative powerhouses like Poland, Germany, and Austria, all deserving of targeted international attention.”

“Our goal is to serve as a central hub for producers, filmmakers, broadcasters, and platforms from Central Europe, alongside global industry professionals eager to engage deeply with this vibrant region and its rich storytelling potential.”

“Recognizing the increasing crossover of storytelling across various mediums, our expanded Business Days now possess the vision and capability to fully embrace this evolution, providing a platform for innovative ideas and projects that transcend traditional boundaries.”

Central Europe Takes the Spotlight: Showcasing Innovative Film Projects
One of the most significant innovations this year is a new format dedicated to presenting film projects currently in development. The previous Works in Progress pitches will be replaced by a more dynamic and Central and Eastern European-focused Central Stage showcase. This initiative, developed by the festival’s film industry office in collaboration with the national film institutes of Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine, aims to enhance visibility for emerging talents.

The showcase will feature 13 fiction films from established filmmakers within these countries that are in the late stages of development, production, or post-production. Instead of traditional pitches, projects will be introduced through interactive discussions that highlight the filmmakers’ journeys and the co-production landscape in each participating nation, fostering a deeper understanding of their unique challenges and opportunities.

Hugo Rosák, the head of the KVIFF film industry office, commented: “We chose this new format because it addresses a significant gap in the Central European film landscape. While there is considerable support for emerging filmmakers throughout Eastern Europe, mid-career filmmakers often lack the necessary visibility and resources to secure financing, despite their projects being equally compelling and worthy of recognition.”

The Central Stage showcase is scheduled to take place on July 8, providing a vital platform for filmmakers to connect with potential collaborators and financiers.

Expanding Horizons: Small-Screen Content Gains Prominence
Another major development in this year’s industry program is the expansion beyond feature films to incorporate small-screen content, made possible through a new partnership with Central European Media Enterprises. This partnership will facilitate a dedicated program of events, including showcases, panels, workshops, and discussions led by key players and experts in the small-screen industry, set to occur on July 8 and 9.

Rosák stated: “With the backing of CME, the festival can now fully realize its potential as a premier meeting place and showcase platform for small-screen content across Central and Eastern Europe. Instead of competing with existing specialized events, this initiative leverages KVIFF’s unique strengths in fostering international connections and providing an ideal environment for presenting and developing television and streaming projects alongside traditional cinema offerings.”

Introducing the Pop Up Series Incubator: A New Initiative for Creative Talent
A key component of the new small-screen focus is the Pop Up Series Incubator showcase on July 8, a fresh series development program designed to assist European producers and screenwriters in enhancing their projects through hands-on development, expert mentorship, and financial support.

This comprehensive eight-month program is organized by Tatino Films. It culminates in Karlovy Vary with a pitching session where creative teams will present their series concepts to industry professionals and decision-makers, followed by curated matchmaking sessions aimed at connecting them with potential financiers or producers for their series projects.

Matthieu Darras, CEO of Tatino Films, remarked: “The impetus to create the Pop Up Series Incubator stems from our observation and analysis of the rapid evolution of the European audiovisual landscape, along with the numerous exchanges we have had with alumni of Tatino programs. Intellectual property has become a fundamental concept in the audiovisual industry. Many upcoming shows from streamers are adaptations of existing IPs—literary, audiovisual works, and even true stories. This trend arises from the understanding that building an audience or generating interest from scratch is perceived as too risky and unlikely given the financial implications of drama series production.”

“This ‘IP Adaptation Game’ is generally reserved for major players, but the Pop Up Series aims to create opportunities for audiovisual talents who may not necessarily be in the orbit of global giants like Banijay, Fremantle, or Mediawan, allowing them to adapt their own IPs into compelling series projects. We believe there is room for more niche and/or innovative series that tap into under-explored IPs, thereby contributing to offering fresh and meaningful stories to diverse audiences.”

The selected projects to be showcased in Karlovy Vary include:
“Angelmaker” (Romania)
Producer: Anda Ionescu, Tangaj Productions
Writer: Cristina Grosan
Based on a true story of the Angel Makers of Nagyrév
Accompanied by screenwriters Leana Jalukse and Loïc Barrère

“Erotic Lives of the Superheroes” (France)
Producer: Eric Dupont, Incognito Films
Based on “La Vita Erotica Dei Superuomini,” an Italian novel by Marco Mancassola
Accompanied by screenwriters Nadya Todorova and Ruddy-Williams Kabuiku

“The Night of the Beguines” (France)
Producer: Candice Zaccagnino, Eliane Antoinette
Writer: David Roux
Based on “La Nuit des Béguines,” a French novel by Aline Kiner
Accompanied by screenwriter Yaelle Kayam

“The Three Burials of Irma” (Greece)
Producer: Fenia Cossovitsa, Blonde S.A.
Writer: Elina Psykou
Based on “Alfatride” (O iatrodikastis), a Greek novel by Vassilis Vassilikos
Accompanied by screenwriter Lemba de Miranda

“Therapies” (Lithuania)
Producer: Dagnė Vildžiūnaitė, Only a Second
Writer: Birutė Kapustinskaitė
Based on a play by Lithuanian author Birutė Kapustinskaitė
Accompanied by screenwriters Fabrizio Muscia and Ruxandra Ghitescu

Highlighting Development in Queer Narratives: Competing for the Eurimages Co-production Development Award
Among the staples of KVIFF’s Eastern Promises section, the Midpoint Institute’s Works in Progress international script development program will showcase nine feature-length projects currently in development, alongside five additional projects developed within the Midpoint – Focus Queer initiative, which supports filmmakers exploring queer narratives and emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in contemporary storytelling.

The projects, currently seeking co-production partners, will compete for the €10,000 Midpoint and KVIFF Development Award, as well as the €20,000 Eurimages Co-production Development Award. Presentations will take place on July 7, providing an essential platform for these innovative projects.

Supporting Emerging Talent: KVIFF Skills Program
In its third year, the KVIFF Skills program is a year-long initiative aimed at identifying and supporting talented Czech and Slovak filmmakers and fresh audiovisual genres. The Creative Pool focuses on discovering contemporary ideas for audiovisual works of any genre or format—from short films and series to podcasts or game concepts. The Feature Pool, on the other hand, is dedicated to supporting the development of original auteur-driven feature-length fiction films.

This year, nearly 200 submissions were received, and six projects were selected—three series and three feature films. These selected projects will receive development funding, mentorship from industry experts, and the opportunity to present their projects to potential producers, partners, and investors during the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The creative teams will pitch their projects to potential production partners during a dedicated KVIFF Skills showcase on July 7.

Additional support includes the possibility of a residency in Karlovy Vary and other tailored forms of assistance to ensure the success of these emerging talents.

KVIFF Skills: Selected Projects Showcase
Feature Pool:
“Anonymous” (Czech Republic)
Feature debut combining live action and stop-motion animation
Animator and director: Daria Kashcheeva
Producer: Lukáš Kokeš, Nutprodukce

“Spirit Moose” (Czech Republic, Slovakia)
Feature film – thriller
Director: Tomáš Klein
Screenwriter: Barbora Námerová
Producer: Tomáš Michálek, Master Film

“Burnout” (Czech Republic)
Feature debut based on the novel by Petr Šesták
Writer and director: Greta Stocklassa
Producer: Marek Novák, Xova Films

Creative Pool:
“Mould” (Czech Republic)
Animated series for both children and adults
Animator and director: Phillip Kastner
Producer: Tereza Havlová

“Lost Boys” (Czech Republic)
Anime series
Writer and director: Dužan Duong
Producers: AZN kru and Nutprodukce

“Remake” (Czech Republic)
Live-action musical series
Writer and director: Kateřina Letáková
Producer: Daniel Bleha, Filmkolektiv

Confirmed Business Events Enhance the Expanded Program
In addition to these new and established showcases, the extended KVIFF Business Days will continue to offer its traditional mix of events, including the Czech Film Industry Forum and the International Industry Insights Forum. These forums provide a series of concise sessions offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of affairs both locally and globally, promoting knowledge sharing and industry networking.

The program will also include more in-depth workshops, panels, and talks on the Workshop Stage, as well as various networking and meeting opportunities for industry professionals. The complete schedule for Business Days will be published later in June, providing attendees with ample time to plan their participation.