The awards are handed over!

The non-statutory prizes required a ceremony The International Film Critics Award was awarded to the Spanish film The August Virgin, the Ecumenical Jury Prize went to the German film Lara. Special mention belonged to the film Budiž světlo co-produced by the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Europa Cinemas Label was received by a film from the young Estonian director Martti Helde, Scandinavian Silence. The story of a complicated sibling relationship gains the form of various forms of silence. Not only an impressive camera and excellent music, but also a pure filmmaking approach, a powerful script and an original way of narration, draw the viewer into the story.

Luxusní penthouse na Praze 1 - 226m, Praha 1

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Two american actresses took over Honorary Awards and a Crystal Globe for Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema this year. Julianne Moore at the opening ceremony and Patricia Clarkson at the closing ceremony, saying:

“I got a wonderful award. Karlovy Vary has given energy to my soul. I don't want to go home, I just want to have my dog sent here and stay.”

The prize of the President of the KVIFF for his contribution to Czech cinematography was presented by Jiří Bartoška to cameraman Vladimír Smutný.

"I am satisfied and we can start preparing the next year," Jiří Bartoška said in conclusion.

This year, 12,521 visitors, of which 10,363 with a festival pass, 395 filmmakers, 1,158 film professionals and 605 journalists accredited. There were 497 screenings during the festival and 139,271 tickets were sold. A total of 177 films were screened, including 156 feature films and 29 documentary films. Out of the films presented at the 54th Karlovy Vary IFF, the festival had 34 world premieres, 8 international and 6 European premieres. 206 screenings were personally presented by a filmmakers' delegation.

100 bartenders entertained the crowds in Karlovy Vary

Do you remember the scene, when a host of waiters runs through the colonnades in Karlovy Vary with the song "Severní vítr je krutý" plying in the background? A traditional Czech brewery decided to reenact this exact scene at the festival and, instead of waiters, it invited masters of the draft craft to join - namely the finalists of this year's Pilsner Urquell Master Bartender competition.

Almost a hundred of the best bartenders from all over the Czech Republic met at the Spa Bridge in Karlovy Vary to participate in a 400-meter run with the finish line at the end of the Mill Colonnade. "It's a great idea to reenact the scene from the film "Run, Waiter, Run! with us, bartenders in its cast. I'm really glad to be able to enjoy the festival atmosphere together with a bunch of bartenders from all over the country, and it's great that Pilsner Urquell is on tap here,” says bartender Eliška Rajchmanová from Kutná Hora.

Loft 3+kk na prodej s terasou, Praha Modřany, Praha 4

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The bartender run was started by the emeritus brewmaster of Plzeňský Prazdroj, Václav Berka, and screenwriter and senator David Smoljak.

"The scene with the running waiters looks a bit weird in the film - Dad liked American slapstick and this scene references them. Just like you wouldn't expect a country song, Severní vítr je krutý, in a Czech comedy,"

David Smoljak comments and adds: “That's why people remember the song and the scene so well. It is the first think they recall in connection with this unique film. Perhaps we've initiated a nice tradition today.”

The best bartenders will compete for victory in the national round, which will be held on 15th August in Pilsen this year.