Organizers blamed a drop in regional subsidy as well as the expensive location for the decision. The city of Karlovy Vary reduced its support by more than half, to CZK 500,000 compared with 1.1 million previously, going toward a total budget of CZK 7 million.

Management said the spa town was proving too expensive for its largely student audience. The festival takes place August 25-28.

The festival (en.freshfilmfest.net) is accepting films for its competition section, open for student films, debut films, and second features, with 9,000 euros in prizes to be awarded. Online submissions are due by April 30, 2010, for films made after January 1, 2009.