Operational Programmes 2024 (download pdf)

In order to implement the statutory duties of the Polish Film Institute in the field of State policy on filmmaking, which are as follows:

  1. enabling the development of Polish film production and co-production;
  2. inspiring and supporting the development of all genres of filmmaking in Poland, with emphasis on artistic films, including the preparation of film projects, film production, and film distribution;
  3. supporting activities aimed at enabling general access to Polish, European, and worldwide cinema heritage;
  4. supporting film debuts and supporting artistic development of young filmmakers;
  5. promoting Polish filmmaking;
  6. supporting financially initiatives in areas of film project preparation, film production, film distribution, film promotion, and disseminating film culture;
  7. supporting the maintenance of film archives;
  8. supporting the development of the independent film industry in Poland, particularly small and medium-sized companies active in the field of filmmaking;

whereas the expected 2022 limits of funds for financing ventures in the area of filmmaking, the General Director of the Polish Film Institute hereby announces the following operational programmes for 2022.

2022 Operational Programmes of the Polish Film Institute

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVE QUOTA 2022 TOTAL
PLN millions PLN millions
Film Production I. Project development 6,5 112,1
feature films 5
documentary films 1
animated films 0,5
II. Feature film production 54,55
III. Documentary film production 9
IV. Animated film production 6
V. Development and production of animated series 10
VI. Production of full-length feature films -micro-budget “FIRST FILM” 5,4
VII. Production of minority international co-productions 7
VIII. Production of innovative films 1
IX. Polish-German Film Fund 0,65
X. Production and development of film projects for young viewers or family audiences (feature and animated
full-length)
8,5
XI. Script Development 3
XII. Screenwriting scholarships 0,5
Film Education I. Higher and post-graduate school 2 5,1
II. Secondary and vocantional schools 0,4
III. Education and professional training 2
IV. Professionalisation of language education 0,2
V. Education in art-house cinemas 0,5
Dissemination of Film Culture I. Film festivals 6 13,8
II. Film initiatives 2,5
III. Literature and magazines about the film 0,8
IV. Digital restoration 4
V. Research on the audiovisual market 0,5
Development of Cinema Infrastructure I. Modernization of cinemas 3 5
II. Digitization of cinemas 2
Promotion of Polish Film Abroad I. Promotion of Polish film abroad 5 6
II. Distribution of a Polish film abroad 0,5
III. Foreign scholarships 0,5
Awards, experts, other   5 5
TOTAL 147

The total amount of this allocation is subject to change depending on signed international agreements.  

Anyone who creates film art or enables access to it may apply for funding for a film project or activity in this field. Support may be granted in the form of a donation, loan, or guarantee. The Institute grants funds on the basis of clear and not necessarily complicated rules. In 2022, funding support will be given in the frameworks of five Operational Programmes:

Applications are accepted throughout the year and are considered in several sessions. 

2022 application sessions:

Operational Programme for Film Production

In Objective VI Production of full-length feature films – micro-budget “FIRST FILM” applications will be accepted once per year. In Objective VII Production of minority international co-productions, applications will be accepted twice per year: in session 1/2022 and 3/2022. In Objective V Development and production of animated series and Objective VIII Production of innovative films, applications will be accepted once per year: in session 2/2022. In Objective X Production and development of film projects for young viewers or family audiences (feature and animated full-length), applications will be accepted twice per year: in session 1/2022 and 3/2022. In Objective XI Script Development applications are accepted and decided on continuously.

Operational Programme for Film Education

Operational Programme for Dissemination of Film Culture

Operational Programme for Development of Cinema Infrastructure

Operational Programme for Promotion of Polish Film Abroad

In the framework of “Promotion of Polish Film Abroad”, applications are accepted and decided on continuously.

The applications are assessed by experts called upon each year by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. The final decision concerning funding is made by the General Director of the Polish Film Institute within 90 days from the session during which the application was accepted, or within 90 days of the date an application was submitted for the “Promotion of Polish Film Abroad” programme.