The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival unveiled a slate of major guests for its 59th edition on Wednesday, with Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård confirmed to receive the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema. At this year’s festival, he joins Dakota Johnson, Vicky Krieps, and Peter Sarsgaard, who will each receive the Festival President’s Award.
Skarsgård, whose career spans over five decades in both European cinema and Hollywood blockbusters, will present his latest film, Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier. The film won the Grand Prix at Cannes earlier this year and has been widely praised as a likely contender in the upcoming awards season.
A career of artistic range and global recognition
Skarsgård’s cinematic career began in his native Sweden in the late 1960s, and included standout roles in films like The Simple-Minded Murderer (1982), which earned him the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival, and The Ox (1991), a film by cinematographer-turned-director Sven Nykvist that was nominated for an Academy Award.
His international breakout came with Lars von Trier’s Breaking the Waves (1996), and he would go on to collaborate with von Trier on several projects including Dancer in the Dark, Dogville, and Melancholia.
Over the years, Skarsgård has developed a reputation for seamlessly moving between independent films and major studio productions. His Hollywood credits include roles in Good Will Hunting, Amistad, and a recurring character in the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
He played painter Francisco Goya in Miloš Forman’s Goya’s Ghosts (2006), and appeared in the musical Mamma Mia! and its sequel. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he portrayed scientist Erik Selvig in Thor (2011), The Avengers (2012), and other movies.
Skarsgård’s versatility also extends to television. In 2019, his portrayal of Boris Shcherbina in HBO’s Chernobyl earned him a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination. Most recently, he has played a leading role in the Star Wars series Andor, which aired its second season this spring.
Skarsgård has previously appeared at the Karlovy Vary film festival, having presented István Szabó’s Taking Sides at the festival in 2002. His return comes as he enjoys renewed critical acclaim for his performance in Sentimental Value, a film described as an emotionally rich portrait of family reconciliation.
Skarsgård’s return to KVIFF and a standout festival lineup
Skarsgård will receive the Crystal Globe at a ceremony held during the festival, followed by a screening of Sentimental Value, which marks director Trier’s sixth feature. The film, which won Cannes’ Grand Prix, explores familial grief and forgiveness through the lens of a once-vibrant home now filled with memories and emotional weight. Skarsgård plays a central role in the ensemble, which has drawn praise for its intimate storytelling and restrained emotion.
This year’s Karlovy Vary lineup reflects both the festival’s global outlook and its strong support for domestic filmmaking. In addition to honoring Skarsgård and several other high-profile guests, the festival will spotlight a selection of new Czech features, including cinematic adaptations and premieres.
Notably, audiences can expect the premiere of a cinematic cut of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, adapted from the Czech video game of the same name. The festival also pays tribute to American screen icon John Garfield with a curated retrospective. And a newly restored print of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest will be personally introduced by actor and producer Michael Douglas
The 2025 edition also holds special meaning for festival organizers and longtime attendees. Jiří Bartoška, who served as president of the festival for nearly three decades, passed away in May. Under his leadership, Karlovy Vary developed into one of Europe’s most respected festivals. A tribute program will honor Bartoška’s legacy with select screenings and special guests.
