The American actor was awarded the honorary "Crystal Globe" for his outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema. Hoffman, a two-time Oscar winner, became a key figure at the opening ceremony, which gathered numerous stars. The appearance of the 88-year-old actor on the red carpet caused genuine excitement among hundreds of film enthusiasts who filled the streets of the resort town. The organizers emphasized that his visit holds special significance for the festival, which traditionally seeks to connect classic heritage with contemporary auteur cinema. Immediately after the official part, on the second day of the festival, Dustin Hoffman personally presented a special screening of Mike Nichols' film "The Graduate" to the audience. This 1967 film, which became a manifesto of New Hollywood, once earned young Hoffman his first nomination for the Academy Award and forever etched his name in the history of cinema. The audience had a rare opportunity to see the restored classic on the big screen and discuss it with the lead actor. The jubilee season in Karlovy Vary gathered an impressive team of celebrities. In addition to Hoffman, this year's festival awards were given to American actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal, who received the president's prize. Actors Jesse Eisenberg and Harvey Keitel, who arrived to present Martin Scorsese's cult crime drama "Mean Streets," were also spotted on the red carpet. The program honored renowned cinematographer Robert Richardson and French actress Juliette Binoche, who was awarded the "Crystal Globe" at the closing ceremony. This year's festival demonstrated unprecedented interest from the young audience. Karlovy Vary has long established itself as one of the most democratic film festivals in Europe, where students and young cinephiles can easily encounter global stars on the streets of the city. According to critics, the ability to combine the honoring of cinema veterans with the discovery of new names allows the festival to remain vibrant and relevant for eight decades, making its "diamond" date truly shine.