36th Gdynia Film Festival Starts
Michał Chaciński, artistic director of the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia. Photo by Marcin Kułakowski, Polish Film Institute
The 36th edition of the Polish Film Festival launched in Gdynia. The opening ceremony brought the presentation of the Polish Film Institute Awards.
The opening gala of the top annual Polish film event was held at Gdynia’s Music Theatre. Invited guests included Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Poland Bogdan Borusewicz, Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodship Mieczysław Struk, and Mayor of Gdynia Wojciech Szczurek. The opening ceremony began with a farewell address to Mirosław Bork, who ended his five-year run as the festival’s artistic director. “From the bottom of our hearts, we hope you make excellent films,” said festival director Leszek Kopeć. “I never thought it could feel so good to leave,” replied Mirosław Bork as he accepted a souvenir photograph with the festival crew from the festival director.
The event was hosted by director of the Music Theatre Maciej Korwin and actress Anna Maria Urbanowska. They presented the Main Competition and Young Cinema Competition juries. This was followed by a presentation of excerpts from films competing for this year’s Golden Lions for best film.
The artistic director of the 36th Polish Film Festival Michał Chaciński was next to take the stage. “The festival is changing, because Polish cinema is changing. In recent years, we have been producing more films and I have the impression that it is becoming increasingly difficult for audiences to be able to pick the best of our achievements. I would really like the Gdynia film festival to help promote the best of what’s been done in Polish filmmaking,” said Chaciński. “Welcome to the home of Polish cinema,” he added.
Chaciński also mentioned the special role of the classics of Polish cinema in the festival programme, calling this year’s edition The Festival of Masters, whose films are featured in the festival lineup, and who will be present at various workshops, masterclasses and discussion panels throughout the week.
The festival was then opened by Wojciech Szczurek, Mayor of Gdynia.
The opening gala of the 36th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia also brought the Polish Film Institute Awards ceremony.
Translated by Karolina Kołtun