Last year, Stellan Skarsgård attended the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival to receive the highest honor. This year, the Swedish star, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film by Norwegian director Joachim Trier, won the international Oscar. Emotional valuereturned to the Czech spa town, to shine on its big screens as the star of this year’s KVIFF promo.
Such work was, of course, not yet a topic of discussion when the actor reflected on his life, career and work with the likes of Lars von Trier and Ingmar Bergman during a special taping of his film. Hollywood Reporter‘s Awards talks podcast in front of a packed house last year. But his participation ensures just the right star power for this year’s special double anniversary edition of KVIFF, the world’s second-oldest film festival.
He joins the likes of Johnny Depp, Mel Gibson, Helen Mirren, Benicio del Toro, Harvey Keitel, Milos Forman, Danny DeVito, Casey Affleck, Andy Garcia and John Malkovich, who are among the big names who have previously appeared in KVIFF ads.
What awaits you, you wonder? Well, we won’t spoil too much for you, as Karlovy Vary shows are always a quick and fun watch. As has become a tradition, the 2026 short was created by longtime festival trailer creator Evan Zacharias, who recently traveled to Sweden to work on this year’s version with Skarsgård. It was made in the style of Ingmar Bergman. The veteran Swedish star, of course, brings his own touch and style to the short film
“Our exceptional collection of original festival trailers has been expanded to include a vignette featuring actor Stellan Skarsgård, winner of last year’s Crystal Globe Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema,” the festival said, without revealing further details about the trailer.
Let’s just say you can mentally prepare for your Skarsgård surprise. But enough said. Watch the trailer for KVIFF 2026, starring Skarsgård, here.
