The Embrace as a Symbol of Closeness

The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, founded in 1946, is one of the oldest film festivals in the world and the most important cinematic event in Central Europe. Every year, the picturesque West Bohemian spa town of Karlovy Vary hosts hundreds of filmmakers from around the world while offering audiences the chance to see more than 200 films, including world premieres in the festival’s official selection and other programme sections. The festival regularly welcomes some of the biggest stars of international cinema. Although KVIFF is a prestigious Category A festival, it stands out for its open and friendly atmosphere, which makes it exceptionally welcoming to ordinary filmgoers. This unique spirit is often reflected in the festival’s visual identity, which has been exclusively designed by Prague-based Studio Najbrt since 1995. Each year, this renowned Czech design studio gives the festival’s visuals a new and original form and a clear theme. The symbol of the festival’s 59th edition is closeness, represented by the simplest yet most eloquent of human gestures – the embrace. KVIFF 59 will take place in Karlovy Vary from 4 to 12 July 2025 Author of visual identity: Zuzana Lednická In collaboration with: Aleš Najbrt Photographer: Václav Jirásek   Outdoor exhibition on the fence of the Czech Embassy 26 – 30 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QY Free access 24/7 This exhibition is part of From Karlovy Vary, With Art, the Czech Centre’s series celebrating the cultural legacy and creative spirit of Karlovy Vary through contemporary art, design and cinema — including the tribute screening Jiří Bartoška In Memoriam: Shadows of a Hot Summer (1 July) and the group exhibition They All Met in Karlsbad, on view at the Vitrínka Gallery from 11 July.