Hollywood icon Wright to receive award, screen The Princess Bride at Karlovy Vary

More stars have been announced for the upcoming Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. American actress Robin Wright will receive the Festival President’s Award and actor Vincent Perez will present one of his films. The festival will also honor producer Christine Vachon.

The festival runs from June 30 to July 8 in the West Bohemian spa city. Wright will receive her award at the festival’s closing ceremony. She will also personally present a screening of the romantic comedy The Princess Bride, where she starred as Buttercup.

Wright is also well-known for playing the role of Jenny in Forrest Gump. Recently, Wright has also been directing and producing, and was the executive producer of two seasons of the political series House of Cards. She earned a Golden Globe and a Satellite Award for her work as an actress in that series.

Swiss actor Perez will present a screening of his film The Edge of the Blade, which is being shown in the Horizons section. He also directed and co-wrote the drama set in France in 1887. An illegal sword duel as well as the fight for women’s rights figure into the plot. His appearances in English-language films include The Crow: City of Angels and Queen of the Damned.

While not as well-known as stars who appear in front of the camera, producer Vachon has played an important role in independent cinema for decades. She produced films by Todd Haynes, Todd Solondz, and Paul Schrader, among many others. In 1996, Vachon and Pamela Koffler founded Killer Films, an important company for independent cinema. Its films include Kids, Boys Don't Cry, and I’m Not There.

One of her more recent efforts as a producer is You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder, which will play at the festival. It stars previously announced festival guests Ewan McGregor and his daughter Clara.

She also produced the romantic drama Past Lives, which will be at the festival as well. The film finds two childhood friends meeting again after 20 years. The film's Korean-Canadian director, Celine Song, is another festival guest.

The festival’s closing film was also announced. The Champions film stars Woody Harrelson as a basketball coach who is sentenced to do community service by training a team of disabled people. The film is a remake of the 2018 Spanish comedy Campeones. The remake is the solo directing effort of Bobby Farrelly. With his brother Peter, he made such hits as Dumb and Dumber, There's Something About Mary, and Shallow Hal.