The Karlovy Vary Film Festival the second-oldest film festival in the world and part of the so-called “first wave” of post-war European film festivals celebrated its 80th anniversary this year.
According to the report of Mansour Jahani, an independent and international film journalist, the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival opened at 6:00 PM on July 3, 2026, in the Grand Hall of the Hotel Thermal in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, with the documentary “The Match” directed by Juan Cabral and Santiago Franco and co-produced by Argentina and Spain which recounts the unforgettable 1986 World Cup match between Argentina and England; the festival will conclude with a screening of the melancholic crime drama “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York” directed by Noah Segan (USA, 2026).
This multi-layered documentary, which holds significance extending beyond the football pitch, was also screened for the general public at 10 p.m. that same night at Pupp Cinema.
Presentation of Crystal Globe and President’s Award to Cinema Stars
During the 60th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), renowned American actor Dustin Hoffman and veteran cinematographer (and three-time Oscar winner) Robert Richardson were honored with the Crystal Globe award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema; additionally, actor-director Maggie Gyllenhaal and actor-director Jesse Eisenberg received the President’s Award at the event.
Focus on European feature films and adventurous, genre-driven works
The event considered one of the most prestigious festivals in Central and Eastern Europe places a strong emphasis on European feature films and co-productions by renowned directors and screenwriters, alongside more adventurous and genre-driven works.
Crystal Globe award presented to American actor Dustin Hoffman
At the opening ceremony of the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema was awarded to legendary American actor Dustin Hoffman an artist who received a prolonged standing ovation from the audience in the Grand Hall.
The two-time Oscar-winning actor said: “Receiving this award is a source of both pride and humility for me. Decades ago, when I was working with a young Redford, he told me: ‘You never think about your body of work, because you’re too busy building that very body.’ And that is true. I fell in love with acting in the first place because it was the first time I felt truly immersed in the passage of time; it makes me feel alive. If you are very lucky, one day you become an old man like me—I’ll be turning 89 in a few days—and you see your life’s work staring back at you from the screen. This scene makes me very emotional and nostalgic, and above all, I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to do what I love, decade after decade.”
Supporting and Inspiring Young Actors and Filmmakers
Continuing his remarks, Hoffman said: “I want to thank the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for serving this passion for filmmaking. Festivals like this help support and inspire young actors and filmmakers, and that is what gives them their true meaning. I am grateful to you for presenting this award, but more importantly, I thank you for standing alongside me in caring deeply about this art form.”
President’s Award Presented to Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal
At the opening ceremony of the 60th Karlovy Vary Film Festival, the President’s Award was presented to Maggie Gyllenhaal, honoring the contributions of the American actress and director. Upon receiving the award, Maggie Gyllenhaal said: “It was during my time in Prague that my passion for stepping behind the camera first took shape. I would occasionally attend seminars that included film screenings; seeing the movie “Loves of a Blonde” there sparked a transformation within me. A voice inside me said, ‘This is who I am. This is what I love.’ That very feeling was part of what motivated me to become a director the desire to express my personal perspective on the world, however strange or challenging it might be.”
President’s Award Presented to Actor Jesse Eisenberg
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, American actor and playwright Jesse Eisenberg received the President’s Award and introduced the film “The Double” to the audience.
He began his remarks—which also served as an introduction to the film—by saying: “I am deeply grateful for the invitation and this extraordinary honor. I may not deserve it, but actors love awards. I am delighted that we are screening “The Double” here. Richard Ayoade crafted this film with a distinctly European cinematic sensibility, blending the works of Dostoevsky and Kafka with German Expressionism and the Central European notion that bureaucracy can be both terrifying and comical.”
Crystal Globe Award Presented to Cinematographer Robert Richardson
At this year’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, on Sunday, July 5, 2026, the Crystal Globe award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema was presented to Robert Richardson—the renowned cinematographer, three-time Oscar winner, and seven-time nominee.
Upon receiving the Crystal Globe award, Richardson said: “When I look at the streets of Karlovy Vary and this hall, I see so many young people. This award symbolizes the future we hope for and need. This festival honors films as works of art—works that we often do not have the opportunity to see elsewhere. I hope these films continue to transcend borders so that everyone can experience them.”
During the festival, the renowned cinematographer attended the presentation of the documentary portrait “Robert Richardson: The White Devil” alongside director Jana Hojdová.
Juliette Binoche to Receive Crystal Globe Award
At the closing ceremony of the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the Crystal Globe award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema will be presented to Juliette Binoche, the acclaimed French actress and winner of awards from the Oscars, Cannes, Berlin, and César ceremonies, as well as four European Film Awards.
Binoche’s Memories of Making “Certified Copy” by Abbas Kiarostami
On Thursday, July 9, at the Karlovy Vary Theatre, Juliette Binoche recounted the story behind the making of “Certified Copy” an intimate and thought-provoking film directed by the renowned Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami.
Kiarostami had previously served as the president of the competition jury at this festival in 2000, while Binoche won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in “Certified Copy” (2010).
Abbas Kiarostami Invites French Star to Tehran
Abbas Kiarostami invited the French star to visit Tehran. Although Binoche initially thought such a trip would be impossible given her nationality, she ultimately accepted the invitation and traveled to Iran. Kiarostami then began telling her a compelling story. Binoche recalls the experience this way: “I trusted him. Then he told me that none of what he had said was true—and, in fact, that is precisely the story of the film.” Kiarostami told the story in English and was delighted that Binoche understood him. They finalized their collaboration in an unusual way. Binoche explained: “I tore off a piece of paper and wrote up a contract between us. I dipped Abbas’s finger in paint and pressed it onto the paper as a signature. Then I did the same myself. That is how our agreement was formed.”
Kiarostami was editing throughout the entire shoot
Describing this unusual working method, Binoche said: “Before filming began, Kiarostami and one of his colleagues acted out the script together. They performed and recorded the scenes on location prior to the start of principal photography. A day after filming wrapped in a small Tuscan village, the director came to me and showed me the final film. He had been editing throughout the shoot, so the work was already complete and ready by that time.”
Addressing the audience, this renowned international film actor said: “Enjoy the movie. To me, it’s a comedy though at the premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, I was the only one laughing. I don’t know why.”
Remembering Kieślowski; Binoche and Her Performance in “Blue”
Following the film that earned her an award at Cannes, Juliette Binoche starred in a masterpiece that won her the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival. The drama “Three Colours: Blue”, directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski, remains one of the defining films of the 1990s.
Speaking about her role as the wife of a composer who lost his family in a car accident, she said: “About two years before filming began, I met a woman who had lost her husband and her son, Justin. So, when I read the script for “Blue”, I was eager to do it. I had met Krzysztof before; he had wanted me to star in “The Double Life of Véronique”, but I couldn’t because I was busy working on “The Lovers on the Bridge”. Acting in “Blue” was, in a way, easy for me, because after hearing so many stories about Justin, it was as if I carried him within me.”
Binoche considers the film “Blue” a remarkable work created by outstanding figures: Kieślowski, cinematographer Sławomir Idziak, and composer Zbigniew Preisner. It was Preisner who introduced her to the process of composing music for the role. According to the actress, their collaboration was filled with humor. She recalls: “Krzysztof was a humble and hardworking man. He focused deeply on details and told his stories through those very details.”
We deeply feel the void left by Kieślowski
One of Europe’s most important filmmakers passed away 30 years ago at the age of 54. Recalling those days, Binoche said: “We deeply feel the void he left behind. We were all in shock when we heard the news of his death. As I stepped out of the car in front of the church for the funeral, I said to myself, ‘Krzysztof, give me a sign that you’re okay,’ and immediately afterward, a truck’s horn blared loudly.” With a smile, she added: “It’s strange that I’m crying now, because throughout the filming, he kept telling me, ‘No tears.’ I only cried on set that first day, during the opening scene at the hospital.” She then wished the audience at the Grand Hall an enjoyable viewing experience, saying, “Cinema is about sharing.”
Unveiling Juliette Binoche’s Directorial Debut
While inviting French actress Juliette Binoche to the stage of the Grand Hall, festival artistic director Karel Och remarked: “An iconic figure has arrived in Karlovy Vary—someone whose presence here we had long dreamed of. She is one of the world’s most acclaimed actors and, last year, marked her debut as a director.” Binoche was accompanied at the ceremony by producer Sébastien de Fonseca. Together, they created “In-I in Motion”, a work born from the fusion of dozens of hours of footage capturing joint performances by Binoche and dancer-choreographer Akram Khan.
Screening of Scorsese’s “Mean Streets” with Harvey Keitel in Attendance
Renowned American actor and producer Harvey Keitel attended the festival on Monday, July 6, 2026, to present the film “Mean Streets”, directed by Martin Scorsese.
This renowned international film actor devoted a significant portion of his remarks to the power of creativity itself, beginning with these words: “This festival holds great importance for me. I am one of you. I know the arduous efforts you have undertaken to cultivate your art and skills. I, too, have gone through everything you are experiencing albeit in America.” He then quoted Aristotle and reflected on the power of art and aesthetics to transform the world a world that, today, may appear deeply chaotic and unsettled.
With Scorsese, we had to pool our money just to buy food
He went on to joke: “You’re about to see a man on screen who looks a bit like me. Back then, I just wanted to gain some acting experience. I wasn’t getting paid, and Martin Scorsese and I had to pool our money just to afford food. We’re no different from you. When I say I’m one of you, I really mean it.” Keitel made these remarks while reflecting on the difficult early days of their careers in the 1970s.
Keitel concluded by saying: “I can’t believe we’re about to watch “Mean Streets”. I can’t wait to hear that music it’s extraordinary. Enjoy the movie.”
Karlovy Vary Film Festival to Honor Jeffrey Wright
At the closing ceremony of the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival the Festival President’s Award will be presented to American actor Jeffrey Wright. In honor of the film and television star, the festival will screen the movie “Basquiat”, directed by Julian Schnabel.
President’s Award for Slovak Actress Magda Vášáryová
At the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival the President’s Award is being presented to the renowned Slovak actress Magda Vášáryová.
In honor of Magda Vášáryová, the festival screened the film “Birds, Orphans and Fools” directed by Juraj Jakubisko at the Karlovy Vary Theatre at 4:00 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2026. A co-production between Czechoslovakia and France, the film was written by Jakubisko in collaboration with writer Karol Sidon and was shot during the tumultuous year of 1968.
Karlovy Vary, one of the most prestigious festivals in Central and Eastern Europe
The 60th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) led by Executive Director Kryštof Mucha and Artistic Director Karel Och was held from July 3 to July 11, 2026, in the city of Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The event the screening of 12 films in the Crystal Globe Competition, 12 films in the Proxima Competition, 13 films in the out of competition “Special Screenings”, several films in the classic section “Out of the Past” A look at the history of KVIFF and also The section “Photo Exhibition of the Activities of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival Over the Past 80 Years”, at the Thermal Hotel cinemas, including the Congress Hall, Grand Hall, and Cinemas A, B, and C, as well as the Drahomíra Cinema, Karlovy Vary Theater, Čas, Husovka Theater, Pupp Cinema, and Lázně III Cinema.
Credit images Website Karlovy Vary Film Festival
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