Dakota Johnson to Receive President’s Award at Karlovy Vary Festival While Presenting Two New Films

25 June 2025

Dakota Johnson / Getty Images

In the lush spa town of Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, where cinematic excellence meets historic charm, the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is preparing to roll out the red carpet for one of Hollywood’s most graceful figures. Dakota Johnson, known for her quiet magnetism and fearless role choices, is poised to be honored with the prestigious Festival President’s Award. This recognition not only underscores her unique contributions to cinema but also marks a pivotal moment in her evolving career.

This year’s festival, scheduled from July 4 to 12, promises a rich blend of emerging voices and established icons, and Johnson’s presence has already electrified anticipation. She will not only accept the award in person but also personally present two of her newest works: the genre-bending romantic comedy Materialists and the introspective comedy Splitsville. Each film presents a different shade of Johnson’s range and signals a dynamic new chapter for an actress who is increasingly making bold choices behind and in front of the camera.

Materialists, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Celine Song, is said to be a smart and slightly unconventional take on love, value, and modern identity. Song, best known for her debut Past Lives, brings an auteur’s lens to a subject often simplified. With Johnson at the center, audiences can expect a performance layered with nuance and emotional precision. Meanwhile, Splitsville, helmed by Michael Angelo Covino, leans into humor and humanity, tackling relationships and separations in ways that are refreshingly real and resonant.

The Karlovy Vary Festival, long a magnet for global talent and a barometer of cinematic taste, has always been keen on rewarding not just stardom but substance. Johnson’s body of work reflects that ethos. From her breakout role in Fifty Shades of Grey to more recent performances in The Lost Daughter, Cha Cha Real Smooth, and Am I OK?, she has carved out a space that is both daring and sincere. Her choices have increasingly leaned toward smaller productions that explore deeply personal themes, and that trajectory aligns seamlessly with the artistic spirit celebrated at Karlovy Vary.

Joining her on the list of honorees this year are Peter Sarsgaard and Vicky Krieps, both receiving the same award, and Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård, who will be presented with the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema. It is a lineup that speaks volumes about the festival’s commitment to both craft and versatility. Krieps’ career has moved fluidly across French, German, and English-language projects, while Sarsgaard has long been a pillar of independent American cinema. Skarsgård, with his long and illustrious career, brings a gravitas that mirrors the global reverence for the Karlovy Vary stage.

The event on July 6, when Johnson is scheduled to receive her award, is expected to be one of the festival’s most memorable evenings. Attendees and critics alike will be watching closely, not just for red carpet glamour but for a deeper conversation about the state of film, performance, and the evolving identity of women in cinema.

In recent years, Dakota Johnson has also been quietly making moves as a producer, using her company TeaTime Pictures to champion distinct voices and original stories. Her presence in Karlovy Vary is not just a nod to her acting prowess but also to her growing influence as a creative force in the industry. As the boundaries between commercial appeal and artistic credibility blur, Johnson’s career path serves as a blueprint for a new generation of actors seeking meaning alongside success.

For Dakota Johnson, this honor at Karlovy Vary is more than a milestone. It is a moment of reflection and celebration of a journey that has never relied on shortcuts or formulas. As she steps onto the festival stage, presenting her latest artistic collaborations and accepting an accolade steeped in tradition, she cements her place not just as a Hollywood name but as a global cinematic voice with something meaningful to say.