The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), the Czech Republic’s premier cinema event and one of Central Europe’s most prestigious cultural institutions, is receiving a record financial boost from the national government. The Czech Ministry of Culture has signed a new three-year agreement with festival organizers to provide CZK 47 million annually—an increase from the previous yearly support of CZK 35 million.
This elevated funding, the highest the ministry has ever awarded the festival, comes amid rising costs in the event’s operations and is intended to ensure both short-term stability and long-term development. The 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary festival will take place from July 4–12, 2025, featuring international premieres and tributes to cinematic legends.
Largest government support in festival history
The new agreement was signed by Minister of Culture Martin Baxa and KVIFF Executive Director Kryštof Mucha, covering the 2025–2027 festival editions. The increased annual contribution—up CZK 12 million from the prior arrangement—is designed to guarantee consistent support for one of Europe’s longest-running and most respected film events.
“For one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the world, on which many other cultural sectors depend, this support is logical,” said Minister Baxa in a statement. “The contract guarantees the festival regular financial backing for three years.”
The agreement was one of the last official acts for Festival President Jiří Bartoška, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 78.
“The signing of the new agreement provides us, as festival organizers, with certainty not just for this year, but also the stability needed for the years ahead,” Bartoška said, emphasizing the importance of the funding for long-term planning.
While the Czech Ministry of Culture has historically been a core supporter of the Karlovy Vary festival, the new agreement reflects an acknowledgment of both the festival’s international reputation and its economic impact. In previous years, the event operated with a budget of around CZK 150 million, but rising costs across logistics, accommodation, travel, and staffing have pushed that figure closer to CZK 180 million, according to Mucha in a past interview.
Expanded programming and international ambitions
According to festival organizers, the new state funding will allow them not only to maintain core programming but also to expand initiatives that support the broader Czech audiovisual sector. These include projects aimed at promoting contemporary Czech cinema internationally and fostering emerging talent in film.
The 2025 edition of the festival will continue popular traditions such as the screening of digitally restored Czech and Czechoslovak classics. This year, that spotlight will fall on Ecce Homo Homolka, the iconic film by screenwriter and director Jaroslav Papoušek.
A major retrospective will also honor John Garfield, a leading figure in 1940s American cinema. Ten of Garfield’s films will be featured, with eight presented from original 35mm prints—a rarity in contemporary programming. “We’ll present the extraordinary career of a pioneer of an unusually realistic acting style for his time, one that remains underappreciated,” said KVIFF Artistic Director Karel Och.
In addition to celebrating film history, the festival will also honor editor Jiří Brožek with the KVIFF President’s Award for his contributions to Czech cinema. These honorees reflect the festival’s commitment to both international reach and domestic legacy.
Organizers say the enhanced state support is critical in maintaining Karlovy Vary’s competitive edge. With inflation and market pressures mounting, ensuring the presence of international guests, securing film rights, and maintaining high production standards all require greater financial certainty.
“The reality is that everything has gone up—accommodation, flights, construction, personnel,” said Mucha. “We’ve had to increase the overall budget just to keep up.”
Lead photo: 2024 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival by Jason Pirodsky
