News
Winners of the 61st Krakow Film Festival
„Far Easters Golgotha”, „The Hangman at Home” and „Walk with Angels” – these are the films that won the main competitions at the 61st Krakow Film Festival, which is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. The International jury awarded the best documentaries, shorts and animated films – the verdict was announced during the final gala on Saturday at the Kijów cinema.
The Golden Hobby-Horse received an image by Tomasz Wysokiński „Walk with Angels” for „for being an honest guide through the heart of darkness, professionalism in storytelling, conscious narration through a ruthless, distant world and a film that is hard to stop thinking about”. The documentary was also recognised for its music by Paweł Mykietyn, for its production – the Polish Producers Alliance Award for Piotr Kobus and Agnieszka Drewno (Mañana) – and received the Krakow Film Festival’s recommendation for the European Film Award.
02.07.2021
Two awards at the festival in Shanghai
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute film „Amateurs” by Iwona Siekierzyńska received Best Actress Award for Marzena Gajewska at the Shanghai International Film Festival. Moreover, Czech-Polish-French-Slovakian coproduction „Even Mice Belong in Heaven” won Best Animation Award.
The Shanghai International Film Festival was established in 1993. It is the only Chinese festival counted among the events accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) and one of the largest film events in Asia. The festival consists of four parts: the competition for the Golden Cup, film screenings, market and the forum. In turn, the Panorama section presents screenings of the best films at the festival.
30.06.2021
Two Polish productions awarded at Animafest
„Kill it and leave this town” by Mariusz Wilczyński, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, received a Special Mention by the jury of the main competition of the Animafest International Animated Film Festival in Zagreb. On the other hand, the animated short film „I’m here” by Julia Orlik won the Dušan Vuko Award for the best student film. Festival was held on June 7-12.
The Animafest, which first edition took place in 1972, is the second-oldest animation festival in the world and one of the most prestigious. This year, a total of 10 Polish productions were presented in Zagreb. Apart from the winners, the festival included: „Prince in a Pastry Shop” by Katarzyna Agopsowicz, „Your own bullshit” by Daria Kopiec and „The Moon” by Tomasz Popakul in the short film competition. Moreover, the World Panorama section includes „Dog’s Field” by Michalina Musialik, „The Visit” by Mateusz Jarmulski and „Three jumps to happiness” by Artur Hanaj. „Five minutes older” by Sara Szymańska, and „Goodnight neighbour” by Rozalia Las participated in the student etudes competition.
28.06.2021
New Horizons' Polish Days Goes to Cannes 2021 selection
Five Polish film projects at the production stage were included in the prestigious program Goes to Cannes at the biggest film market, Marché du Film. The New Horizons’ Polish Days Goes to Cannes event is the result of cooperation between the Polish Film Institute and the New Horizons Association.
The Goes to Cannes is a program which invites the most important festivals to present selected films to the international film industry, films that do not yet have agents, distributors or set premiere dates. Thanks to this, they can reach a foreign group of people from the film industry interested in cooperation. The New Horizons International Film Festival for the fifth time was among five selected film events from around the world.
25.06.2021
The premiere of the film „Lamb” at the Cannes Film Festival
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, the feature debut of Icelandic director Valdimar Jóhannsson will have its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival. Agnieszka Glińska is responsible for editing the film.
LAMB an Icelandic-Swedish-Polish co-production. LAMB is produced by Hrönn Kristinsdóttir („Summer Children”, „Angels of the Universe”) and Sara Nassim at Go to Sheep. Producers Piodor Gustafsson („Border”, „The Wife”) and Erik Rydell at Black Spark Prod., and Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska („Mr. Jones”, „High Life”) and Jan Naszewski at Madants, Film i Väst, Chimney Sweden and Chimney Poland, in association with Rabbit Hole Productions and Helgi Jóhannsson.
25.06.2021
Polish presence at the festival in Shanghai
Eight films co-financed by the Polish Film Institute will take part in the Shanghai International Film Festival. They are: „Amateurs” by Iwona Siekierzyńska (Main Competition), „Even Mice Belong in Heaven” (Animation Films Competition), „We’ll be fine” by Sylwester Jakimow (Spectrum: Alternatives), „I never Cry” by Piotr Domalewski, „Never Gonna Snow Again” by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert, „Thou Shalt Not Hate” by Mauro Mancini and „Quo vadis, Aida?” by Jasmila Žbanić (Viva la Festival) , „I’m here” by Julia Orlik (Short). The 24th edition of the festival will be held on June 11-20 this year.
The Shanghai International Film Festival was established in 1993. It is the only Chinese festival counted among the events accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) and one of the largest film events in Asia. Its mission is to support the development of world cinematography and discover young directors who have been awarded the Asian New Talent Award since 2004. The festival consists of four parts: the competition for the Golden Cup, film screenings, market and the forum. In turn, the Panorama section presents screenings of the best films at the festival.
02.06.2021
„Black Mill” with an award at the festival in Moscow
The film „Black Mill” by Mariusz Palej received the award for the best script at the Moscow International Children’s Film Festival. The winners are Magdalena Nieć and Katarzyna Gacek. The film is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute and has been financially supported under the „incentive” system operated by the PFI.
The film had its world premiere at the 25th Schlingel International Film Festival in Germany, where it received the Youth Jury Award. It also won the MARCINEK award for a feature film at the 38th International Festival of Young Audience Films Ale Kino! in Poznan. The picture is aimed at a family viewer and contains elements of science fiction.
02.06.2021
Polish participant in the prestigious Producers on the Move program
Selected by the Polish Film Institute, Beata Rzeźniczek (Madants) will take part in the Producers on the Move 2021 program, organized by European Film Promotion. The Polish producer is among 20 European producers who will present their projects. This year, program will take place in a hybrid form: online (May 17-21) and in Cannes (July 8-12).
Producers on the Move is a program designed for producers with achievements in international co-productions. Participation is aimed at broadening industry knowledge and creating a network of contacts that have an increasing impact on European cinematography. The producers participate in project pitchings, 1:1 meetings and case studies. So far, the programme’s meetings took place during the Cannes International Film Festival, which this year was postponed to July due to the coronavirus pandemic.
13.05.2021
„The Dress” won the Atlanta Film Festival
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute the film „The Dress” written and directed by Tadeusz Łysiak won the Best Narrative Short Award at the Atlanta Film Festival. This event means that production by Warsaw Film School has a chance to qualify for the Oscars race next year.
The Atlanta Film Festival is one of the largest and longest-running festival in the US, which discover hundreds of new independent, international, animated, documentary, and short films. This year there were selected from 8000+ submissions from all over the world. 45th edition took part between April 22 to May 2 in hybrid formula, online screenings as well as drive-in cinema.
05.05.2021
Polish co-production with the Independent Spirit Award
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, co-production of nine countries, including Poland, „Quo vadis, Aida?” by Jasmila Žbanić received the Independent Spirit Award for the best international film. This is one of the most important awards in American independent cinema.
„Aida” („Quo vadis, Aida?”) is an Oscar candidate nominated by Bosnia and Herzegovina. This drama, directed by Jasmila Žbanić, tells the story of the Srebrenica massacre in 1995. Apart from Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway and Turkey participated in the production of the image. The Polish producer is Ewa Puszczyńska (Extreme Emotions), Małgorzata Karpiuk was responsible for the costumes, Jarosław Kamiński for the editing, and Antoni Komasa-Łazarkiewicz was the author of the music.
05.05.2021
„We Have One Heart” with two awards at Aspen Shortfest
The film „We Have One Heart”, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, won the Jury Prize in the Documentary Film category at the Aspen Shortsfest in the US state of Colorado. Katarzyna Warzecha, the director and author of the script of the animated documentary, received the Ellen Award – commemorating the founder of the festival, Ellen Hunt.
Aspen Shortsfest was established in 1979 and is one of the most prestigious short film festivals in the United States of America. The main prizes are a ticket to the Oscar competition. The 30th edition of the festival was held online, during which 80 short films were screened, selected from around 3,000 entries.
05.05.2021
The film „1970” with an award at the Visions du Réel festival
Tomasz Wolski’s new film, entitled „1970”, received a special jury award at the Visions du Réel International Documentary Film Festival in Nyon. It is a documentary animation about protests in communist Poland from the perpetrators’ point of view. The film will have its Polish premiere at the 61st Krakow Film Festival.
The International Documentary Film Festival Visions du Réel has been held in Nyon in Switzerland since 1969. At the beginning of its existence, mainly Swiss films and productions from the Eastern Bloc countries were shown, which were very difficult to watch for Western European audience. Currently, it is one of the largest documentary film festivals in Europe.
05.05.2021
The cinemas will reopen in May
The cinemas will be able to operate again from May 21, keeping the limit of up to 50% of available seats – the government informs. Earlier, from May 15, open-air cinemas will be able to operate, also with a maximum limit of 50 percent.
Announced on April 28, the decision of the Government Crisis Management Team allows the owners or organizers of cinemas to operate again, but does not oblige them to do so.
04.05.2021
Three Polish productions in the Hot Docs Festival program
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, the films „Between Us” by Dorota Proba, „Dani Karavan” by Barak Heymann and Łukasz Konopa as well as „Tell me more” by Martyna Peszko were included in the program of the Hot Docs Festival in Toronto. The largest documentary film festival in North America takes place from April 29 to May 9, 2021.
The World Showcase category will present the film „Between Us” directed by Dorota Proba with cinematography by Weronika Bilska. Its producers are: Ewa Jastrzębska, Jerzy Kapuściński, Wojciech Marczewski and Karolina Mróz and they represent the Polish Filmmakers Association, Munk Studio and Wajda Studio. The image was presented at the Krakow Film Festival, and at the Millennium Docs Against Gravity, where it won two awards: the Best Polish Film Award and the Audience Award.
04.05.2021
„I'm here” with an award at the Kaboom Animation Festival
The film „I’m here”, directed by Julia Orlik, won the Best Student Short award at the Kaboom Animation Festival in the Netherlands. The image is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.
Six Polish productions took part in this year’s edition of the event, which took place online on March 31-April 4. Apart from the award-winning film by Julia Orlik, there were also „My Fat Arse and I” by Yelyzaveta Pysmak, „Plantarium” by Tomek Ducki, „We Have One Heart” by Katarzyna Warzecha, „Marbles” by Natalia Spychała and „Kaprysia” by Betina Bożek.
30.04.2021
Polish productions at the festival in Annecy
Short film „On Time” by Zbigniew Czapla, animations „Oderwanie” by Sylwia Zawila, „Świątynia Ukwiału” by Justyna Pazdan, „Zieleń” by Karolina Kajetanowicz and „Furia” by Julia Siuda, animated trailer by David Štumpf and films by Tomasz Popakul – „The Moon” (from the series „At home”) and Marek Skrobecki – „Bobaski i Miś” episode: „Balloons” were included in the competition sections of the International Animated Film Festival in Annecy. This year’s edition will be held from 14 to 19 June.
The festival in Annecy is one of the most prestigious animated film festivals in the world and the oldest in Europe – its first edition took place in 1960. The films, awarded with Le Cristal d’Annecy and the Jury’s Special Award, are often included in the list of proposals that may be nominated for the American Film Academy Award.
02.04.2021
Polish animation awarded at the SXSW Film Festival
„Your Own Bullshit” by Daria Kopiec received a Special Jury Recognition for Storytelling in Animated Shorts Competition at the South by Southwest Film Festival. The animation is co-financed by Polish Film Institute.
Together with the Sundance event, Austin’s South by South West (SXSW) is one of the most significant independent cinema events in the US. In addition to film screenings, intermedia activities and the music stage both constitute very important element of the festival. There are also meetings and discussion panels for cinema fans.
22.03.2021
Three Polish productions with awards at the IN THE PALACE festival
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute „Ondine” by Tomasz Śliwiński, „The Dress” by Tadeusz Łysiak and „May the World Not Carry You” by Rozalia Ogonowska won awards in three competition sections of IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival in Bulgaria.
Organized since 2003 in Bulgaria, IN THE PALACE is one of the largest and most prestigious film festivals in Europe, dedicated to short films, new media and digital art. The event qualifies for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards as well as the Student Film Academy Awards.
22.03.2021
Five Czech Lions for the „Charlatan”
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, „Charlatan” has been chosen by the jury of the Czech Film and Television Academy as the Best Feature Film of 2020. Its director, Agnieszka Holland also won the Czech Lion award for Best Director and Ivan Trojan who was named Best Actor.
„Charlatan” received Czech Lion also for the best cinematography and sound. Film was nominated in 15 categories: actor roles, screenplay, editing, stage design, costume design, makeup and music composed by Antoni Komasa-Łazarkiewicz. Film by Agnieszka Holland is a Czech candidate for the Oscar and one of the 15 films on the shortlist in the International Feature Film category.
19.03.2021
„Quo vadis, Aida?” with two nominations for the BAFTA Awards
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute co-production of nine countries, including Poland „Quo vadis, Aida?” by Jasmila Žbanić is nominated for the awards of the British Film and Television Academy – BAFTA in two categories: film not in the English language and director. The awards are scheduled for April 11.
„Quo vadis, Aida?” is a drama directed by Jasmila Žbanić, which tells the story of the Srebrenica massacre in 1995. Apart from Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway and Turkey participated in the production of the image. The Polish producer is Ewa Puszczyńska (Extreme Emotions), and the author of the music is Antoni Komasa-Łazarkiewicz.
17.03.2021
Oscar nominations for „Quo vadis, Aida?” and Dariusz Wolski
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute „Quo vadis, Aida?” by Jasmila Žbanić is nominated for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards in the International Feature Film category. Its Polish producer is Ewa Puszczyńska (Extreme Emotions). Among nominated for the best cinematography is also Dariusz Wolski for the film „News of the World”. The 93nd Academy Awards ceremony, will be on April 26, 2021.
„Quo vadis, Aida?” – a co-production of nine countries, including Poland – is the candidate of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The drama, directed by Jasmila Žbanić, tells the story of the Srebrenica massacre in 1995. Apart from Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway and Turkey participated in the production of the image. Małgorzata Karpiuk was responsible for the costumes, Jarosław Kamiński for the editing and the author of the music is Antoni Komasa-Łazarkiewicz.
16.03.2021