Karlovy Vary has announced the winners for its market and industry sections, including Works in Progress, Works in Development – Feature Launch & Intensive Queer, Works in Development – KVIFF Talents, and First Cut+ Works in Progress.
The 2024 KVIFF Eastern Promises winners include the following categories:
Works in Progress:
The jury comprised Gabor Greiner, Kyle Greenberg, and Başak Emre. Twelve feature and documentary projects from Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and North Africa were presented.
Works in Progress Visual Post-production Award:
The award went to the film “Amedspor” (Turkey) for its portrayal of sports and politics in modern-day Turkey, directed by Rezan Yesilbas and produced by Ahmet Gurata.
Works in Progress Sound Post-production Award:
The award was given to “Lover, Not a Fighter” (Slovak Republic, Czech Republic) for its depiction of young love, directed by Martina Buchelová and produced by Michaela Kaliská, Erika Paulinská, and Julie Marková Žáčková.
Works in Progress Award:
“Virtual Girlfriends” (Czech Republic, Slovak Republic) received the award for its exploration of individuals in the Czech Republic involved in online relationships, directed by Barbora Chalupová and produced by Pavla Klimešová, Monika Lošťáková, and Simona Hrušovská.
Works in Development – Feature Launch & Intensive Queer; KVIFF Talents:
The 10,000 EUR cash prize for further development was awarded to “Klára is Here” (Hungary), directed and written by Dávid Csicskár and produced by Balázs Zachar.
Eurimages Co-production Award:
The 20,000 EUR cash prize was awarded to “Antonie” (Czech Republic), directed and written by Rozálie Kohoutová and produced by Martina Knoblochová and Martin Hůlovec.
Connecting Cottbus Award:
The award went to “Eli and Them” (Czech Republic), directed and written by Petr Pylypčuk and produced by Kryštof Burda.
Rotterdam Lab Award:
Martina Knoblochová, producer of “Antonie” (Czech Republic), was chosen as the winner to participate in the Rotterdam Lab professional training programme.
KVIFF Talents:
Six projects were selected for financial support for scriptwriting and mentoring, including “Inbetween Worlds” and “Letters to the Future” in the Feature Pool category.
First Cut+ Works in Progress:
The film “Numakage Public Swimming Pool” (Japan) won the 5,000 EUR cash prize, with a special mention to “Mayflies” (Hungary, Slovak Republic).
KVIFF Eastern Promises – Marché du Film Producers Network Award:
Producers of “Lover, Not a Fighter” (Slovakia) and “Anxiety of the Heart” (Poland) were chosen to participate in the Marché du Film and Producers Network during the Cannes Film Festival.
Hugo Rosák, the Head of the KVIFF Film Industry Office, expressed satisfaction with showcasing the diverse creative voices at the event.