Karlovy Vary Fest Has 'Potential Far Beyond Film Industry': Majority Owner Rockaway's Jan Jirovec
Jan Jírovec is a board member of KVIFF Group and investment partner at Rockaway Capital, which has been the majority owner of the festival since 2021.
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THR's Georg Szalai discussed with him how the film fest, which is expanding into TV series, fits into Rockaway's strategy, the impact of the recent death of long-term festival president Jiří Bartoška, and what lies ahead for KVIFF.
What do you typically focus on for Rockaway when it comes to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival? Do you concentrate on longer-term, big-picture vision and strategy planning or also specific issues we may see in this year's edition?
At Rockaway, and more specifically Rockaway Arts, our role is primarily strategic. We see the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival not only as a cultural institution but as a platform with long-term potential that reaches far beyond the film industry.
In practical terms, Rockaway has actively supported initiatives such as the launch of KVIFF.TV or the push toward stronger European industry engagement, for example. We have also been actively involved in consultations regarding selected sponsorship opportunities. With the recent death of Jiří Bartoška, I wanted to ask how you think he made the KVIFF such a strong and beloved film festival brand?
What made Jiří Bartoška unique was his ability to lead with authenticity. He didn't build a festival brand in the corporate sense. He and his team created a community, a cultural moment people wanted to return to every year. His charisma, intuition, and deep respect for art – combined with his ability to pick the right people and let them thrive – made KVIFF what it is today. That's why the position of president of the KVIFF will not be filled and remains in memoriam to him.
Do you expect any change at KVIFF in terms of focus and strategy with executive director Kryštof Mucha also taking on a similar role as Jiří Bartoška, but with a different title, namely chairman of the board of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Group? It seems that most people feel that while Jiří Bartoška will never be replaceable, a strong and experienced team is in place. And Rockaway has promised to 'preserve the values and level of quality that its president built up over the years.'
You're absolutely right – Jiří Bartoška is irreplaceable. But the strength of KVIFF has always been the team behind it. Kryštof Mucha, (artistic director) Karel Och, (head of production) Petr Lintimer and the rest of the leadership have been key to the festival's success for decades. They know the DNA of the festival inside out, and more importantly, they understand how to keep evolving it without losing what makes it special.
We don't expect a radical change. Rather, we see continuity with a fresh perspective – a team that's deeply experienced, but still hungry to push boundaries.
How much does Rockaway see and treat the film festival as a business beyond its status as a creative and artistic endeavor? And how does it fit into the broader Rockaway focus and strategy?
KVIFF is first and foremost a cultural project – and we respect that. But we also believe that cultural initiatives can be run with strategic, long-term thinking. In that sense, KVIFF is a great example of how a creative institution can build a strong brand, attract global partners, and create tangible value for the region and for the Czech Republic as a whole. At Rockaway Arts, we're building a portfolio of assets that have cultural relevance, economic sustainability, and international potential. In that light, KVIFF is a perfect fit. You work across the Rockaway Arts division, which includes the film festival, music festival Colours of Ostrava, and design festival Designblok. Do these events ever cooperate or cross over in any way?
They're different in content and audiences, but yes, there's synergy. Each of these events is rooted in a strong creative community, and we see value in mutual support.
Whether it's through shared partners, talent exchanges, or even aligned communication strategies, we're exploring ways they can support each other while staying true to their own identities. The dialogue between music, design, and film is increasingly relevant – and we believe our role is to help that ecosystem grow organically.
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