Karlovy Vary Film Festival To Be Held As Scheduled

The president of Karlovy Vary international film festival Jiri Bartoska reported that this year this event will be held for the 44th time as scheduled – during the period from July 3 until July 10. The uncertain economical situation hasn’t managed to cancel it.

This year the total budget of Karlovy Vary film festival amounts about CZK 130 mln, CZK 30 mln from which come as subsidy from the Czech state. The general partner of the festival is Czech energy company CEZ, which donates the needed sums of money to support this important cultural event.

Ticket prices this year will remain the same as the last summer. Mr. Bartoska commented that the festival shouldn’t profit on entry tickets and should provide a possibility to see the films included into festival program at reasonable prices.

This summer over 220 films will be presented during the Karlovy Vary festival, 65 of them will have an international or European premiere. More than 800 producers, distributors and other representatives of movie industry from all over the world have already confirmed their participation.

Some celebrities are also awaited. Jiri Bartoska announced that Hollywood macho of Spanish origin Antonio Banderas, French actress Isabelle Huppert and American actor, director and producer John Malkovich will visit the festival.

Photo: 2008 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, by Jim Linwood (wikimedia.org)