Traditional fireworks aren’t big enough for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) this year! The Czech festival will kick off its 60th edition in its 80th year on Friday, July 3 with what organizers call the largest drone show ever in the Czech Republic or Slovakia.
Instead of the fireworks with which KVIFF traditionally closes its opening night in the Czech spa town, after an opening film, a black-tie gala and a music show, the air show will see a fleet of 1,300 synchronized drones changing the night sky. Festival organizers said it combines moving aerial images, music and narrative.
The show is titled “Stars and Winners in Your Own Story,” and will tell “a story of courage, creativity and luck,” according to KVIFF organizers. The show, accompanied by music and voiceover, will create formations extending up to 220 meters to light up the night sky, they added.
The stunning drone, presented by festival partner Allwyn, the lottery operator, will reappear on 7 July.
“This year, the skies over Karlovy Vary will light up with the Allwyn Drone Show – the largest drone show in the history of the Czech Republic and Slovakia,” according to a KVIFF social media post. “The multimedia spectacle was created especially for the anniversary edition of KVIFF, and will transform the skies above [Hotel] Thermal to a giant cinema screen, for the first time, replaces the traditional opening fireworks.
Drone displays have been on the rise as an alternative to traditional fireworks, with critics of the latter citing noise and airborne debris as major downsides to fireworks.
This drone will be followed by a special music performance specially prepared for the occasion by DJ and producer NobodyListen, whose real name is Jakub Strach. “The evening brings together prominent figures from the contemporary Czech music scene from a range of genres and generations – including many musicians straight from Karlovy Vary,” the festival said on Tuesday. “The evening consists of a unique musical mix, with unexpected transitions between electronica, rap, alternative scene and outstanding pop and vocal performances. Appearing on stage are Matej Rupert, Roman Holly, Lenka Dusilova, Dan Barta, Wizomandias, Vladimir 518, Akira, Anette
The ceremony will be accompanied by an audio-visual presentation prepared by Matthias Förda and his team. The official partner of the opening ceremony is ČEZ Group.
“The general idea behind the show is to create an encounter, which is a typical element of the Karlovy Vary Festival,” NothingListen said. “That’s why I wanted to invite so many diverse guests, because in my opinion, communications are the embodiment of the festival.”
