Just before the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) rolls out its 59th edition (4-12 July), its Industry Days return with a renewed structure and ambition, running from 6-9 July (see the news). Hugo Rosák, head of the Industry Office, shares insights into the thinking behind major programme shifts, including the launch of KVIFF Central Stage and the Pop-Up Series Incubator. He reflects on the festival’s evolving role as a hub for regional co-productions, and explains how the KVIFF is bridging the worlds of film and series through a deeper commitment to visibility, collaboration and early-stage support.

Cineuropa: What was the strategic thinking behind the structural changes to KVIFF Industry Days, and how do they reflect your broader vision for the festival as a Central European hub for co-productions across both film and series?
Hugo Rosák: There are plenty of industry events across Europe aimed at bringing people together to support filmmakers. But the real question is: what do attendees hope to find, and how does that actually move the needle for the film business? We felt that some of our older formats – like Works in Progress – no longer reflected today’s ecosystem. And honestly, our regional focus had become a bit too broad. Many events were showcasing the same kinds of projects from overlapping territories. So, we decided to narrow our focus to Central Europe and build a space, and a sense of community, that genuinely supports visibility, collaboration and mutual support within this region’s film industry.

KVIFF Central Stage shifts the focus from a “traditional” works-in-progress model to a more curated, country-specific approach. Why did you feel it was necessary to rethink the way projects are presented, and how do you hope this new approach will benefit mid-career filmmakers in the region?
Every country in the region has something unique to showcase, but even experienced filmmakers often struggle to close financing. The support structures here are still relatively fragile. Our hope is that, by curating projects in close collaboration with national film institutes, we can offer producers and investors a selection they can trust, and ultimately help unlock co-financing with greater confidence. At the same time, we want to spark more awareness and collaboration between producers in the region. There’s a lot of potential for working together, and this format helps make those connections visible.

The expanded collaboration with CME and the introduction of new series-focused initiatives suggest a broader shift towards television and streaming. What makes Karlovy Vary an ideal meeting point for both film and television professionals, and how do you see this crossover evolving at future editions?
Film and television are blending more than ever, especially in our region. That’s not a revelation for us, but it is something we want to lean into. Our collaboration with CME is a chance to show industry players that Karlovy Vary offers an inspiring space and a programme that makes the trip worthwhile, whether they’re networking or scouting new content. And, let’s be honest, Karlovy Vary is a spa town with a magical atmosphere, and our new industry home at the Kaiserbad is stunning. It’s hard to imagine a better place to find your next co-production partner, catch a summer party or discover new projects. Going forward, we’ll keep looking for ways to let these two worlds merge even more in our industry programme because we don’t see any reason why they should stay separate.

The Pop-Up Series Incubator, focused on adaptation and early-stage development, seems to target a gap in support mechanisms for independent series. How does this initiative fit into KVIFF’s broader strategy of nurturing independent voices, and what kind of impact do you expect it to have on the European series ecosystem?
The Series Incubator highlights projects that usually struggle to gain traction through traditional development routes – and we think that matters. All of our partners, like Tatino and the MIDPOINT Institute, bring incredible value through script labs, residencies and mentorship. What we add is the stage: visibility, industry interaction and media attention. It’s a strong synergy. Together, we’re able to offer decision makers a portfolio of early-stage projects that already carry a mark of quality.

With nearly 40 projects across formats presented this year and a growing network of institutional and industry partners, how do you balance supporting new talent (eg, KVIFF Talents) with fostering high-level co-productions? What makes Karlovy Vary a fertile ground for these intersecting industry needs?
You need a mix, something fresh and a bit fragile, and something more established and ready to go. Both are rewarding, but they require different muscles. We think it’s important to support both ends of the spectrum, and right now, the balance feels right. Ideally, these filmmakers and producers meet here, share ideas and, one day, collaborate on something that’s both fresh and convincing.