Karlovy Vary International Film Festival starts Friday

The prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival kicks off on Friday. In its 46th year, the festival will once again draw countless celebrities and visitors to the famous spa town in western Bohemia. Among this year’s respected guests are the British actress Judi Dench, who will be awarded the festival’s crystal globe, as well as American actor John Turtorro. President Klaus is expected to attend the opening ceremony on Friday. Some 200 films, many of them by first-time directors, will be shown at this year’s festival, which runs until July 9.