On hand to lead the celebrations were the Karlovy Vary chair Krystof Mucha and artistic director Karel Och, plus Jakub Havrlant, whose Rockaway Arts is the majority owner of the festival. Variety‘s publisher and co-president Dea Lawrence also headlined the event. Related Stories Margo Price, Brandi Carlile, I'm With Her, S.G. Goodman Score Multiple Nominations for Americana Honors & Awards
The second oldest film festival in the world after Venice, Karlovy Vary “combines the glamour of Hollywood with the youthful exuberance of the countless young cinephiles who flock from across Europe,” said Lawrence, speaking after guests had enjoyed a buffet lunch that included roast beef, salmon, risotto and truffled deviled eggs.
Lawrence also noted that the Czech spa town was also “among the most picturesque settings you could choose for a film festival.”
Other attendees at the Cannes luncheon included LuckyChap partner Milan Popelka, filmmakers Anna Maguire and Kyle Greenberg, producer Rémi Burahactress, Andreas Buhlmann of Swiss Films and model Ellyana Perosi
Mucha, who has been part of the festival since 1997 but was named chair last year, thanked Variety for “being with us more for than three decades.” He also thanked the luncheon guests for “being our friends and supporters through the ages,” adding “it’s a privilege to be part of this incredible story.”
Following the lunch and the speeches, a special multi-tier birthday cake was presented and was cut by Mucha.
Among the names who have visited the festival are Robert Redford, Mel Gibson, Sharon Stone, Gregory Peck, Robert DeNiro, Johnny Depp, Susan Sarandon, Michael Douglas, Renee Zellweger, Michael Caine, Uma Thurman, Robert Pattinson and Julianne Moore.
“It established its enduring qualities that have characterized it for more than 30 years: a festival is sensitive, intimate, focused on quality, still, youthful and thriving.”
Source: variety.com