Event Details
Welcome to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) is the largest film festival in the Czech Republic and one of the most prestigious cultural events in Central and Eastern Europe. For nine days each July, the spa town of Karlovy Vary transforms into the capital of international cinema. KVIFF holds a coveted spot among the world's A-list film festivals, sharing that distinction with Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Locarno and Tokyo.
History & Heritage
KVIFF has an extraordinary history stretching back to 1946, when the first edition was jointly held in Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně, making it one of the oldest film festivals in the world. For filmmakers, buyers, distributors, sales agents and journalists across the globe, it remains the single most important industry gathering in all of Central and Eastern Europe.
Program & Competition
Each year, KVIFF presents around 200 films from across the world in both competition and non-competition sections. The flagship section is the Crystal Globe Competition for feature films, accompanied by the Proxima Competition for independent and emerging voices, and a broad Special Screenings programme. Daily KVIFF Talks bring audiences face to face with directors, actors and other filmmakers, while retrospectives and tributes round out the full programme.
Venues
The heart of the festival is the iconic Hotel Thermal, home to the main box office, accreditation hall and the opening and closing ceremonies. Other key venues include Grandhotel Pupp, the Karlovy Vary Theatre and Cinema Čas, with screenings spread across more than 14 locations citywide. A highlight for 2026 is the Allwyn Terrace above Hotel Thermal, open to the public for the first time and offering food, drinks and daily entertainment each afternoon.
Tickets & Festival Pass
Individual tickets for specific films are sold exclusively at festival box offices on-site, at up to 4 tickets per person, priced at approximately 110–220 CZK (€5–10) per screening. For regular festivalgoers, the Festival Pass offers up to 3 tickets per day for 3 different films, access to KVIFF Talks and official press conferences at Hotel Thermal. The digital Festival Pass+, available for the full nine days at around 2,490 CZK, allowed online ticket reservations via the Vodafone KVIFF Guide app before arriving in Karlovy Vary. Discounts apply for students, seniors aged 65 and over, and ZTP disability cardholders.
Stars & Highlights
- World and European premieres from the most anticipated international productions
- Red carpet events and KVIFF Talks with international film stars
- Presentation of the prestigious Crystal Globe award in the main competition
- The President's Award honouring outstanding contributions to cinema
- Free KVIFF.TV Park open-air screenings for all visitors
- Free festival shuttle buses (F1–F3) and bike rentals across the city
- Filmmakers Lounge for accredited industry guests
Visitor Tips
- Secure your Festival Pass or individual tickets early; popular screenings sell out fast.
- Use the Vodafone KVIFF Guide App to reserve tickets from 7:00 AM for the following day's screenings.
- Book accommodation well in advance; Karlovy Vary fills up entirely during the festival.
- Take advantage of the free festival shuttle buses (F1–F3) and hire bikes to move easily between venues.
- Cash is only accepted at the main box office at Hotel Thermal; all other counters require card payment.
- No ticket? Join the Last Minute queue at Hotel Thermal; empty seats are released 5 minutes before each screening.
