Karlovy Vary Film Festival Unveils Central Stage Projects and Book-to-Screen Showcase
10 verified5 unconfirmed
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) has revealed the lineup for its industry program KVIFF Promises, which includes 11 feature films selected for the KVIFF Central Stage showcase and eight literary works chosen for the inaugural Book-to-Screen at KVIFF program. The Central Stage projects, directed by established filmmakers from Central Europe, will be presented in an interactive talk show on July 6. The new Book-to-Screen showcase aims to create a market for film adaptation rights from Central and Eastern Europe, with eight books selected by an international jury to be pitched to producers on July 7. In total, KVIFF Promises will present 38 projects across five programs, including works in development, talent showcases, and literary IPs. The festival, taking place in the Czech spa town, is expanding its focus on Central-European co-production opportunities.
What’s verified
KVIFF Promises unveiled 11 projects for the KVIFF Central Stage showcase and eight titles for the inaugural Book-to-Screen at KVIFF program.
The 11 Central Stage films are directed by established filmmakers including Nicolas Steiner, Antonio Lukich, Olga Chajdas, and Cristina Groșan.
The Central Stage showcase will take place as an interactive talk show on July 6 on the Film Industry Main Stage.
The Book-to-Screen at KVIFF program is designed to create a market for film adaptation rights from Central and Eastern Europe and strengthen cooperation between the film and publishing industries.
The eight books were selected by an international jury from more than 70 submissions across 14 countries.
The Book-to-Screen talk show will be moderated by Niki Théron of the Frankfurt Book Fair on July 7.
Switzerland is represented by “Flying Mountain” directed by Nicolas Steiner; Ukraine presents “Screaming Girl” by Antonio Lukich and “Noah” by Marysia Nikitiuk; the Czech Republic presents “The Stones Are Rolling to Prague” by Tomáš Hodan and “A Few Branches Off” by Tomáš Pavlíček.
Other Central Stage projects include “Lesdenzero” (Cristina Groșan), “Tribe” (Olga Chajdas), “Trainrider” (Sebastian Fritzsch), “Yugoslavia, My Fatherland” (Goran Vojnović), “Cowgirl” (Michal Blaško), and “Hansi” (Sebastian Brauneis).
Participating projects are eligible for the €20,000 Eurimages Co-Production Development Award and gain access to post-production partnerships with UPP and Soundsquare.
Books selected for Book-to-Screen include “True Way Out” by Patrik Banga, “Playing Wolf” by Zuzana Říhová, “The Zone” by Daniel Majling, “Queen of Hearts” by Iulian Ciocan, “Aspic Bistro” by Ieva Dumbrytė, and “Cupid at the Kremlin Wall” by Aka Morchiladze.
Not yet confirmed
One source notes that the Central Stage showcase is in its second edition, while the other does not specify an edition number.
The specific time and exact venue for the Central Stage showcase (2 p.m. in Kaiserbad) and the exact time for the Book-to-Screen talk show (10:30 a.m.) are reported by only one source.
The detail that “Hansi” is a boxing biography about Hans Orsolics appears in only one source.
The additional 15% discount on post-production services for films meeting Czech Audiovisual Fund criteria is reported by only one source.
The book “The River Odyssey of Kora from Willow Meadow” by Adam Robiński and “Amadoka” by Sophia Andrukhovych are listed in the Book-to-Screen selection by only one source.
Key figures
Hugo Rosák, head of KVIFF Film Industry Programs
Niki Théron, senior manager international projects and film, Frankfurt Book Fair
Directors: Nicolas Steiner, Antonio Lukich, Marysia Nikitiuk, Tomáš Hodan, Tomáš Pavlíček, Cristina Groșan, Olga Chajdas, Sebastian Fritzsch, Goran Vojnović, Michal Blaško, Sebastian Brauneis
Authors: Patrik Banga, Zuzana Říhová, Daniel Majling, Iulian Ciocan, Ieva Dumbrytė, Aka Morchiladze
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter
