Karlovy Vary Film Festival: Majority Owner Rockaway Capital Interview
The 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) unspools July 4-12, with industry attendees and audiences descending on the Czech spa town to enjoy the newest cinematic discoveries and a slew of stars.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
