Success at Karlovy Vary for new east filmmakers

Filmmakers from the new east were among the winners at this year’s International Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, eastern and central Europe’s leading film festival.

Czech talents from both behind the scenes and in front of the camera were particularly successful. The awards for Best Actress and Best Actor went to Alena Mihulová and Kryštof Hádek for their roles in Home Care and The Snake Brothers respectively, while director Helena Třeštíková won the award for documentaries over 60 minutes in length for her film Mallory. In addition, actress Iva Janžurová received the Festival President’s Award for her exceptional contribution to Czech cinematography.

Other notable new east winners include Kosovar director Visar Morina, who received the Best Director Award for his debut Babai, and Hungarian director Lili Horváth’s Wednesday Child, which won the East of the West competition.

The top prize, the Grand Prix- Crystal Globe, was taken home by US film Bob and the Trees, directed by Diego Ongaro.

The event, held in the spa town of Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, this year celebrated its 50th anniversary and attracted a record number of ticket sales.