Where does the industry work, rest and play at the festival? And where can you get a good vegetarian meal? International executives share their tips for a great trip.

Joel Chapron - Unifrance’s specialist for Central and Eastern Europe

What was your favourite recent edition of Karlovy Vary?
Any one with as many French movies as possible.

Where is the best place to stay? 
I like the Olympia [Divadelni nam 43/5]. It has a good restaurant and is conveniently located between the Pupp [Mirove namesti 2] and the Thermal [IP Pavlova 11].

Best screening venue?
The Karlovy Vary Theatre. It’s really fantastic, even if the screening conditions aren’t the best.

Which party is a must?
The Unifrance dinner, of course.

Irena Kovarova - New York representative of the Czech Film Center and independent film programmer [pictured]

What was your favourite recent edition of Karlovy Vary?
The 40th edition [in 2005] was special — and not only because they don’t allow you to come in jeans to parties any more. The programme is maturing with each year.

What films have you discovered or helped get discovered at the festival?
It’s great to catch up on European cinema. [Maren Ade’s] Everyone Else was a great find for me and the East of the West section brings a lot you can’t see so easily. I also like the films in production presentation forums, such as the one organised by the IDF, and the Jihlava doc festival.

Most useful Czech phrase?
“Prosim” and “Dekuji” (please and thank you). They work well as pre-emptive strikes.

Best screening venue?
The Cas Cinema [TG Masaryka 3] — great programme, great seats — and the Grand Hall — huge screen and atmosphere.

Any tips on where to stay?
The hotels across the river from the Thermal are the best: you don’t get to hear so much of the noise from the party tents.

Which drink makes the best toast?
Beton (a mix of Becherovka and tonic) and beer of course.

Jeffrey Brown - producer, UFO Pictures, Czech republic

What films have you discovered or helped get discovered at the festival?
East of the West is always interesting for films you won’t see elsewhere.

Most useful Czech phrase?
“Ses normalni” (“Are you normal?”), basically asking if you’re out of your mind.

Best screening venue?
Velky Sal [the Thermal’s Grand Hall]. Lots of festival nostalgia there.

Which parties are a must?
The producers’ party.

Any tips on where to stay?
I always get an apartment but the Pupp has a good buzz.

Best place for a drink?
Late at night: Bobovka [Husovo namesti 2] is good. Later at night: Becher’s Bar [in Grandhotel Pupp].

Best place for a coffee?
Elefant [Stara Louka 32] has a good coffee. Often, I am at Venezia [Zahradni 60/43], close to the Thermal.

Favourite local dishes?
I am a vegetarian, so Venezia’s pizza and pasta. Also the Lebanese place in the Pasaz hotel next to Kino Cas has become a tradition. As has the Indian take-out place.

Where do you go when you need a break?
Horse races — the Karlovy Vary Cup.

Susan Wendt - head of sales, Trust Nordisk, Denmark

What was your favourite recent edition of Karlovy Vary?
It has to be 2008, when we had Terribly Happy in competition.

Best place to eat?
The Embassy Hotel [Nova Louka 296/21], sitting outside on the bridge.

Best place for a drink?
The Aero Club [Divadelni namesti 1]. It’s raw but has great atmosphere. And it’s always good to pass by the Captain Morgan tent.

Most useful Czech phrase?
“Na zdravi”. Czech for cheers.

Ivana Kosulicova - head of acquisitions, CinemArt, Czech republic

What was your favourite recent edition of Karlovy Vary?
The 2008 edition. It was a really good competition that year, with Petr Zelenka’s The Karamazovs and Terribly Happy, which we picked up. [Director] Henrik Ruben Genz was just the most adorable person.

The best place to stay?
Hotel Ruze [Horni 154]. It’s nice, and a two-minute walk from the Thermal, so you get outside at least twice a day.

Best place to eat?
There is a good Indian restaurant that is just north of the Thermal. It’s a great alternative to the festival buffets, pizzas and Czech restaurants. Vegetarian dishes, too.

Best party?
The industry office organises a dinner at the Pupp for distributors and sales agents. All the professionals are there.

What do you do when you need a break?
Go for a swim in the Thermal’s pool. It has an excellent view as well.

Freddy Olsson - producer/owner, Bokomotiv Filmproduktion, Sweden 

What was your favourite recent edition of Karlovy Vary?
In 2005, I brought my 16-year-old daughter Anna [Juhlin] and her friends. They had a good time sharing an apartment and watching a lot of films and they had a long conversation with the film-maker Alexander Payne. She has been back a couple of times since then, and last year came back as a director with a documentary film in competition.

What’s the best screening venue?
The Grand Hall at the Thermal, now that they’ve changed the uncomfortable chairs. Those old chairs were designed to keep you awake during long speeches at party congresses.

The best place to stay?
The Thermal. I’m there every morning at 8.30 for industry screenings and I don’t want a long walk.

Where do you go when you need a break?
For a walk in the footsteps of Goethe. Don’t forget to bring a book of his romantic poetry.

Topics