28/04/2003 - Jan Hrebejk’s hit is just one of 250 films being showcased at this event and the world distribution rights were just acquired by US company, Menemsha

More than 250 films will be screened during the 38th Karlovy Vary IFF 2003 (4-12 July 2003), the most important international film event in Central and Eastern Europe and the Czech Republic’s only A-grade festival.
Czech cinema will be represented in competition by Pupendo (directed by Jan Hrebejk) and by the Czech-Slovak co-production, Kruté radosti (Cruel Joys – directed by Juraj Nvota).
Pupendo was a major hit in the Czech Republic where it was released in March of this year and won the best film award at the 16th Pilsen Film Festival. The world distribution rights to what may turn out to be the Czech Republic’s most popular film ever have just been bought by US distributor Menemsha Films.
Karlovy Vary regularly showcases productions by the lesser known film industries from the former Soviet bloc countries and this year’s programme includes films by cross-generational directors from the three Baltic republics - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
The international competition is also open to documentaries, this year’s given theme being the individual and his surroundings, inter-personal relationships and high-minded and serious social issues.
Horizons is an informative section that focuses on films that attracted considerable international attention and also won awards during the last season and Karlovy Vary will also premiere a number of titles that were recently acquired for distribution throughout the Czech Republic.

(Translated from Italian)