Czech film-maker Pojar honoured at Karlovy Vary festival

Legendary Czech animated film director and artist, Bretislav Pojar, was awarded the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema on Friday evening.

Pojar took the honor at the opening ceremony of the 42nd International Film Festival Karlovy Vary.

Pojar, 83, has created some 70 animated films, winning a number of awards at Czech and international festivals. He has cooperated with partners in Canada for years and made films for the United Nations.

Pojar received his latest award from the hands of Hollywood star Renee Zellweger in the full grand hall of the Thermal Palace of Karlovy Vary.

Zellweger, 38, found fame for her roles in Bridget Jones's Diary (2001), Chicago (2002) and Cold Mountain (2003), for which she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She will introduce the screening of Miss Potter (2006) at Karlovy Vary on Saturday.

In the film Miss Potter, Zellweger plays the lead role of Beatrix Potter, a British writer and illustrator of children's books who lived at the turn of the 20th century. Zellweger was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus and his wife Livia attended the ceremony, along with diplomats and members of the international jury including Variety magazine editor-in-chief Peter Bart, who chairs the main jury this year, along with film-makers, regional officials and other personalities.

At the end of the Karlovy Vary festival, on July 7, another award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema will be given to U.S. actor, director and producer Danny DeVito. The 62-year-old film-maker will present The Good Night that will compete in the main festival competition.

The Karlovy Vary IFF, founded in 1946, is the most important international film festival of Category A in Central and Eastern Europe.

The 42nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, running from June 29 to July 7, will offer over 220 full-length and short films, including five Chinese films.