Karlovy Vary International Film Festival was initiated in the year of 1946. Karlovy Vary was chosen as the venue for conducting this esteemed film festival of Czech Republic. The political scenario of Czech Republic influenced the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival to a very large extent.
In 1948 when Czech Republic became a dominion of the communist rule, the films shown in the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival mainly reflected the interest and implications of that political party. However, in the later years the films exhibited in the festival offered a larger view of the world cinema.
The Velvet Revolution of 1989 also had a major impact on the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. In 1990s the genre of cinema in Czech Republic experienced an extensive changeover. From the local arena the cinema of Czech Republic moved towards the global domain.
From its very inception the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival of Czech Republic has been attended by many reputed and highly appreciated film directors and critics. The sections in which the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival deals with include:
- Documentary Films based on various 16mm and 35 mm documentaries
- Feature Films from around the world which are presented for the first time by the film makers themselves
- Retrospectives based on a specific cinematic age, character or compilation of works
- Forum of the Independents which involve long and short films directed by American and other film-makers
- Horizons which focuses on those films that have gained accolades from world over and those which have got film awards in recent times
- East of the West which shows films of Soviet Union, eastern Europe and Central Europe
- Another View which includes lesser known films and works of unknown directors
- Czech Films that offer a detailed insight into the genre of local cinema
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has become an alternative identity of the Czech – Arts & Entertainment Industry.
