An international film festival in the western Czech resort city of Karlovy Vary is kicking off with an honor for U.S. actor and director Viggo Mortensen.

An international film festival in the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary has kicked off amid controversy following a protest by Ukraine against the screening of a Russian movie.

The Daily Telegraph has lost an appeal in Australian court, and will soon be paying out a record amount to Geoffrey Rush as a result of the actor's defamation lawsuit, according to multiple reports. Lawyers for Nationwide News reportedly argued that the record sum -- the most ever awarded to a single individual in a defamation lawsuit -- was "manifestly excessive." The Daily Telegraph ran a front-page story with the headline "King Leer" and detailed Norvill's allegations. Rush was not present in court when the appeal was rejected. RELATED CONTENT:'OITNB' Star Yael Stone Comes Forward with Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Geoffrey RushKesha Ordered to Pay $373,000 in Ongoing Defamation Case With Dr. LukeJohnny Depp Pursues $50 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Ex Amber Heard