The upcoming Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) is set to showcase a diverse range of projects, with a particular focus on K-pop and unique storytelling. Among the highlights is the K-pop series 'K-Dream', which delves into the world of a European obsessed with K-pop, and the intriguing 'Burning Witches', a historical drama set in the 17th century Bohemian-Polish borderlands. These projects, along with three feature films, will be pitched at the KVIFF Talents program, offering participants valuable industry exposure and development opportunities.
The KVIFF Talents program is a prestigious initiative that selects six audiovisual works from over 100 submissions. The selected projects receive development funding, mentoring, and the chance to present their ideas at a special event during the festival. Additionally, participants gain access to facilities for producing proof-of-concept videos, residencies at film festivals, and valuable industry connections.
One of the feature films, 'Exposed', is set in the semi-legal queer milieu of socialist Czechoslovakia during the 1980s. Directed by Klára Tasovská and produced by Lukáš Kokeš, it explores a young female photographer's personal dilemma and her courage to stand up for her reality. The film's mystery thriller elements unfold over 24 hours in Prague, adding a layer of intrigue.
Another feature, 'Nera', marks the feature fiction debut of director Ivana Vogrinc Vidali and screenwriter Darja Miková. The film follows Tereza, a recent high school graduate battling a relentless diagnosis that threatens her sight. Through her journey with a guide dog named Nera, Tereza discovers resilience and the limits of a system that prioritizes obedience over instinct.
'Until We Leave', the debut project of screenwriter Lucia Čižinská and produced by Tereza Wiński, is an intimate drama about four women in their 30s traveling to France to visit a terminally ill friend. Their shared trip becomes a confrontation with their lives, relationships, and future visions, blending tragicomedy and observational road movie elements.
In the Creative Pool, 'The Inhalatorium' is a feature-length animation by director and animator Bára Anna Stejskalová. It follows a 13-year-old girl's journey at a mountain sanatorium to treat her asthma, where she discovers a missing friend and uncovers staff secrets.
'Burning Witches', written by Martina Babišová and Věra Starečková and produced by Dagmar Sedláčková, is a series set in the 17th century Bohemian-Polish borderlands. It centers on noblewoman Katuše's efforts to save her sister from execution while striving for emancipation.
Lastly, 'K-Dream' is a series by director Adam Sedlák and producers Linda Krejčí and Monika Soukup. It tells the story of Nikǒ, a European K-pop enthusiast who returns to Europe to establish the first K-pop idol academy in Berlin. Czech singer and actor Adam Mišík plays the lead role and is also a co-screenwriter.
The KVIFF Talents program has a history of supporting 23 projects, and its impact on the industry is significant. These projects not only receive funding and mentorship but also gain exposure and the opportunity to connect with industry experts, fostering the growth of emerging talent in the film and television sectors.
