The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival unveiled works-in-progress for its Central Stage showcase and launched a new Book-to-Screen program this week [1, 2].

These initiatives aim to connect Central European filmmakers with the financing, distribution, and co-production partners necessary to bring regional stories to global audiences [2, 3].

The Central Stage showcase features 11 selected film projects [3]. The program provides a platform for filmmakers to present their works-in-progress to industry professionals during the festival's dedicated market events [1, 2].

Alongside the film showcase, the festival introduced the first edition of the Book-to-Screen program. This initiative has selected eight books for potential film adaptation deals [3]. By pairing literary works with filmmakers, the festival seeks to create a structured market for adapting regional literature into cinema [2, 3].

Both programs will be a primary focus during the festival's Industry Days, which are scheduled to run from July 5 to July 8 [2, 4]. These days serve as the professional hub of the event, where producers and distributors negotiate the future of the selected projects [1, 4].

While previous reports from 2025 mentioned 14 projects from eight countries [1], the current selection for the Central Stage showcase is confirmed at 11 movies [3]. The festival continues to expand its role as a bridge between the creative industries of Central Europe and the international film market [2].

“The Central Stage showcase features 11 selected film projects”

The introduction of a dedicated Book-to-Screen pipeline suggests that KVIFF is moving beyond being a simple exhibition venue to becoming a development incubator. By formalizing the transition from literature to film, the festival is attempting to secure a more sustainable pipeline of original intellectual property for Central European cinema.