Karlovy Vary to Fete Anniversary With Biggest Czech Drone Show Ever

The traditional fireworks are just not big enough for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) this year! The Czech fest will kick off its 60th edition in its 80th year on Friday, July 3 with what organizers call the largest drone show ever to be staged in the Czech Republic or Slovakia.

Replacing the fireworks with which KVIFF traditionally wraps up its opening night in the Czech spa town, following the opening film, a black-tie ceremony and a musical act, the aerial display will seea fleet of 1,300 synchronized drones transforming the night sky. It combines animated aerial imagery with music and narration, fest organizers said.

The title of the show is “Stars and Winners of Your Own Story,” and it will tell “a story of courage, creativity and luck,” according to KVIFF organizers. Accompanied by music and voice-over narration, the show will create formations spanning up to 220 meters to illuminate the night sky, they added.

The drone spectacular, presented by festival partner Allwyn, a lottery operator, will return for an encore on July 7.

“This year, the skies above 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. “Created especially for KVIFF’s anniversary edition, the multimedia spectacle will transform the sky above the [Hotel] Thermal into a giant cinema screen and, for the first time, replace the traditional opening fireworks.”

Drone shows have been on the rise as an alternative to traditional fireworks, with critics of the latter citing noise and airborne debris as key downsides of fireworks.

The drone spectacular will follow a special musical show created specifically for this occasion by DJ and producer NobodyListen, whose real name is Jakub Strach. “The evening brings together leading personalities from the contemporary Czech music scene spanning a range of genres and generations – including several musicians straight from Karlovy Vary,” the fest said on Tuesday. “The evening consists of a unique musical mix, with unexpected transitions between electronica, rap, the alternative scene, and distinct pop and vocal performances. Appearing on stage are Matěj Ruppert, Roman Holý, Lenka Dusilová, Dan Bárta, Yzomandias, Vladimir 518, Akira, Annet X, and Vocal Crew by Unique. NobodyListen has worked with each artist to create a special arrangement of tracks to complement the performers’ individual sets.”

Accompanying the concert is an audiovisual show put together by Matyáš Vorda and his team. The official partner of the opening concert is the ČEZ Group. 

“The overall idea behind the show is to create an encounter, which is a typical element of the Karlovy Vary festival,” said NobodyListen. “That’s why I wanted to invite such a large number of diverse guests, because in my mind, connections are the embodiment of the festival.”