The 2025 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) is introducing a digital Festival Pass+ for this year’s 59th edition, allowing attendees to reserve cinema tickets before arriving in town. Festival organizers say the new system aims to simplify ticketing and improve the visitor experience based on feedback from festivalgoers.
The Festival Pass+ will be available as a limited-edition digital product, with applications running from May 29 to June 8. The pass will be made available for purchase to a limited number of applicants chosen via lottery from June 10.
Digital pass holders will have the advantage of booking tickets via the Vodafone KVIFF Guide app before the festival opens; traditionally, pass holders would have to wait until collecting their physical pass at the festival before being able to book tickets. Festival ticket reservations will begin on Thursday, July 3.
The digital pass will cover only the entire festival period, and ticket reservations can be managed in the app and collected at festival box offices on arrival; the Festival Pass+ will be sold for CZK 2490 compared to 2190 for the traditional pass. Short-term festival passes will only be available in the traditional physical variety.
KVIFF’s executive director Kryštof Mucha says the initiative is designed as an extra service for long-time visitors: “We see Festival Pass+ as a bonus for our regulars who come to Karlovy Vary for the entire duration and who are our loyal fans.”
More information about the new Festival Pass+ can be found at the official festival website.
Additional upgrades for the 2025 KVIFF
Alongside announcing the new digital festival pass, organizers also revealed additional upgrades for this year’s festival. The Vodafone KVIFF Guide app has also been updated, with new features including an enhanced festival map, improved search functionality, and a smoother booking process, addressing a long-term concern for festival pass holders.
According to app developer Jan Mísař of Ackee, ticket reservations will be up to 50 percent faster this year. The app also provides the film catalog, trailers, the festival schedule, and access to KVIFF.TV LIVE broadcasts.
Other festival updates for 2025 include the opening of a new cinema space inside Karlovy Vary’s historic Císařské lázně (Emperor’s Baths). Designed by architect Petr Hájek, the 283-seat screening room is an architectural feat, constructed inside the neo-Renaissance building without altering its historic structure.
The new cinema hall will only be open on select days during the festival: July 4, 5, 11, and 12.
KVIFF has also expanded transport options with festival buses, bike rentals (supporting charity via the ČEZ Foundation), and new bus routes from Cheb and Sokolov in partnership with the regional chamber of commerce.
Accommodation options for this year include a festival campground at Rolava and discounted last-minute hotel rooms available from late June.
The long-running No Barriers project (Kino bez bariér) program will continue to offer free tickets, accessible cinemas, and services for visitors with disabilities, including dedicated transport and support staff.
The 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival will run from July 4–12, 2025. For more information, visit the official festival website.
