News
Polish co-productions with a chance for European Discovery 2021
The films „Lamb” by Valdimar Jóhansson and „Kitoboy” by Philipp Yuryev are among the six nominated titles for the European Discovery 2021 -FIPRESCI. The award for the debut will go to the director of the winning film during the European Film Awards gala on December 11. Both productions were co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.
Icelandic-Swedish-Polish „Lamb” is the fictional debut of director Valdimar Jóhansson, who received the award for originality at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the Un Certain Regard section. It was produced by Hrönn Kristinsdóttir and Sara Nassim from Go to Sheep, Piodor Gustafsson and Erik Rydell from Black Spark Production and Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska and Jan Naszewski from Madants / NEM Corp., in co-production with Film and Väst, Chimney Sweden and Chimney Poland and in cooperation with Rabbit Hole Productions and Helgi Jóhannsson. Agnieszka Glińska was responsible for editing the film.
15.11.2021
„Mother's Day” on the so-called long Oscar list
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute and produced in the Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School at the University of Silesia in Katowice, the film „Mother’s Day” by Patryk Kaflowski is on the Oscar longlist for short feature films. The 15 titles that will be included in the shortlist of candidates for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards will be announced on December 21.
The film is about a young, pregnant woman who has to deal with complications during childbirth. A female fox that wanders the area looking for food is a witness to the fight for the baby.
09.11.2021
„The Stone” with the Grand Prix of the festival in South Korea
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, „The Stone” directed by Bartosz Kozera won the Grand Prix at the International Short Film Festival in Jeonju, South Korea. This picture produced by the Munk Studio – SFP is a morality play about the miraculous recovery of a nun and its unexpected consequences.
Organized since 2018, the international film festival in Jeonju is an event presenting the most interesting short films from around the world. The theme of this edition was the concern for human spirituality in difficult, pandemic times.
22.10.2021
Polish productions with a chance for European Film Awards
The full-length films „Never gonna snow again” by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert, „Aida” by Jasmila Žbanić, „Apples” by Christos Nikou and „The Whaler Boy” by Filip Jurjew are among the candidates for the European Film Awards. All productions are co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. On the other hand, Damian Kocur’s „Beyond is the Day” is included in the group of 25 short films.
The European Film Academy has decided – as in 2020 – to announce a selection of feature films for the European Film Awards in two parts. To the 40 titles listed in August, 13 more were added in September. All because of the pandemic and its limitations, as well as the fact that some European festivals are taking place later than usual.
22.10.2021
„Anatolian Leopard” awarded by critics at the Toronto festival
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, „Anatolian Leopard” received the prize by the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) at the Toronto International Film Festival. The Polish-Turkish-German-Danish co-production was thus in the same row as „Knife in the Water”, dir. Roman Polański.
The picture, directed and scripted by Emre Kayis, is permeated with – as its creator himself says – Kafkaesque atmosphere. It is a story about a lonely zoo director and an introverted clerk who, in order to stop the zoo’s privatization, conceal the death and decide to fake the disappearance of its most valuable inhabitant – the Anatolian leopard.
22.10.2021
Apply for Training Days Poland
ACE Producers and Independent Film Foundation are pleased to announce the call for applications for the Training Days Poland. This event has been set up thanks to the support of the Polish Film Institute.
Strengthening independent producers, ACE Producers uses the power of the ACE Network’s collective knowledge to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities in an everchanging industry. ACE Producers enables profound collaborations through honest dialogue in the safe trusted space of the ACE Network and fosters valuable exchange of high-level knowledge about the independent audio-visual industry in Europe and beyond. ACE Producers provides top quality executive education in European creative producing and entrepreneurialism.
24.09.2021
Special mentions for Polish production in Venice
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, Jan P. Matuszyński’s film „Leave no traces” received the Premio Bisato d’Oro (best picture) critics award at the International Film Festival in Venice. A similar distinction in the Orizzonti section went to the co-production „El hoyo en la cerca” by Joaquin del Paso (best cinematography). In total, five Polish productions were presented in Venice this year (three at the festival and two at Venice Days), in addition to the awarded: „Rhino” by Oleg Sencov (Orizzonti), and as part of Giornate degli Autori: „Anatomy” by Ola Jankowska and „Il silenzio grande” Alessandro Gassmann. The 78th edition of the festival took place in September 1-11.
The Venice Film Festival is considered to be the oldest film event in the world. It was founded in 1932 and is now part of the Venice Biennale. This year’s edition was opened by the film by Pedro Almodovar – „Madres Paralelas”.
23.09.2021
„Leave no traces” is the Polish candidate for the Oscar
The Polish candidate for the Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category will be the production of Jan P. Matuszyński – „Leave no traces”. The film goes to cinemas on September 24.
The committee chose from among four submitted films: Apart from Jan P. Matuszyński film there were also „Najmro” (dir. Mateusz Rakowicz), „Prime Time” (dir. Jakub Piątek) and „Hyacinth” (dir. Piotr Domalewski)
17.09.2021
„First Last Summer” in the final of the Student Oscar
The film, directed and written by Nastazja Gonera, was appreciated at the 48th Students Academy Awards. On October 21, we will find out whether the short fiction produced by the National Film, Television and Theater School in Łódź will win a statuette.
The Student Oscars are awarded annually by the American Film Academy to the best student films in several categories: animated, documentary, fictional, alternative and foreign feature, animated and documentary films. Winners may apply for an Oscar nomination.
27.08.2021
Polish delegation at the Nordisk Panorama Forum
Although the Nordisk Panorama Forum is an event related to the financing of documentary films from the Nordic countries, each year the organizers invite one delegation from a country outside their circle. In 2021 – for the second time in history – a group of filmmakers from Poland was invited. What does this mean for them?
The Polish Docs PRO delegation will be joined by both directors and producers of documentary films. The latter were invited, among others at Producers Meet Producers – co-production meetings with partners from the Nordic region. Participants will present their previous achievements and new projects, and then they will get the opportunity to establish contacts with Scandinavian representatives of film funds, TV stations, film institutes and distribution companies.
27.08.2021
Two awards for the film „Matecznik” at KVIFF Eastern Promises
The project of the film „Matecznik”, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, received two awards: First Cut + and Subti Award under the KVIFF Eastern Promises. This is Grzegorz Mołda’s full-length feature debut. The industry event – accompanying the 55th edition of the International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary – was held online from July 28 to August 12.
The presentation of the Polish project during the Works in Progress session was preceded by three-day consultations related to promotion, marketing and sales strategy, in which participated representatives of the film industry.
27.08.2021
Polish Days 2021 awards granted
The film „Woman on the Roof” directed by Anna Jadowska, Marta Szarzyńska (Kinhouse Studio) and the project „Broys” by Marcin Filipowicz are among the winners of Polish Days 2021. This most important industry event of the New Horizons International Film Festival, co-organized by the Polish Film Institute, took place in Wrocław on August 15-17.
During closed screenings, over 150 film industry representatives from around the world watched finished films and film fragments in the post-production phase and participated in presentations of work in progress. As every year, the best projects were awarded by the partners and co-authors of Polish Days.
27.08.2021
„Balcony film” with the Grand Prix in Locarno
Paweł Łoziński’s „Balcony Film”, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, received the Grand Prix in the Semaine de la critique section of the International Film Festival in Locarno. It won with six other titles, including two from Poland: „Walk with Angels” by Tomasz Wysokiński and „Bukolika” by Karol Pałka. The 74th edition of the festival was held on 4-14 August.
In the description of the film we read: I decided to stop and wait for the world to come to me. I stood on the balcony with the camera for 2 years and caught anyone who passed under it. These meetings resulted in a film about people and what they wanted to say about themselves. And about the director who was curious about them. I was amazed at how little I know about people. Almost no one is what he appears to be. People carry riddles and secrets. They are not easily pigeonholed. Life is unimaginable.
27.08.2021
We know the titles of Polish Days 2021
The latest films by Łukasz Grzegorzek, Aleksandra Terpińska, Anna Jadowska and Jan Holoubek will be presented at the most important industry event of the New Horizons International Film Festival – Polish Days, co-organized by the Polish Film Institute.
During the Polish Days, five completed films will be presented, six as part of the „Works in Progress” presentation and nine projects in the development phase.
27.08.2021
Polish animations in the competition section of the Ottawa festival
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, the animations „Not so scary crocodile” by Grzegorz Koncewicz and „Impossible Figures and Other Stories II” by Marta Pajek are included in the main competition of the International Animation Festival in Ottawa.
This is one of the largest animated film festivals which will be held on September 22 – October 3. Among 2,528 submissions from 104 different countries, 107 short films were selected, including an animated series and 7 feature films.
27.08.2021
Polish films at Toronto International Film Festival 2021
Four productions co-financed by the Polish Film Institute will be presented at the 46th Toronto International Film Festival. The Platform competition section includes Aga Woszczyńska’s film „Silent Land”, while the official selection also includes the Turkish-German-Danish-Polish co-production of „Anatolian Leopard” by Emre Kayis (Discovery) and the Irish-Polish film „Wolf” by Nathalie Biancheri (Special Presentations). As part of the market shows, the film „Leave no traces” by Jan P. Matuszyński will be screened. Festival will be held on September 9-18.
„Silent Land”
27.08.2021
„Leave no traces” in the main competition of the Venice IFF
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, Jan P. Matuszyński’s film „Leave no traces” will compete for prizes in the main competition of the International Film Festival in Venice. Event will be held on September 1-11.
„Leave no traces”, based on the reportage of Cezary Łazarewicz, is the story of the murdered Grzegorz Przemyk, whose case in the 1980s was known throughout Poland. The main roles in the film are played by Tomasz Ziętek, Sandra Korzeniak, and Mateusz Górski as Grzegorz Przemyk. They are partnered by Jacek Braciak, Agnieszka Grochowska, Robert Więckiewicz, Aleksandra Konieczna, Adam Bobik and Tomasz Kot.
25.08.2021
„The Cracks” project at the 55th IFF in Karlovy Vary
„The Cracks” by Magdalena Gajewska, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, is among the titles selected for the 7th edition of Future Frames as part of the International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary.
The European Film Promotion program aims to draw the attention of film industry specialists and journalists to young European filmmakers. During Industry Days at the IFF in Karlovy Vary, ten promising directors will present their achievements to date in film schools, as well as take part in the most interesting industry events and master classes prepared especially for them.
24.08.2021
„Lamb” awarded in Cannes
The Icelandic director Valdimar Jóhannsson’s feature debut, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, received an award for originality at Cannes.
The jury chaired by the director Andrea Arnold awarded prizes in the Un Certain Regard section. The Original Award went to Valdimar Jóhannsson’s feature debut „The Lamb”.
23.08.2021
PFI's partnership agreement with ACE Producers
The Polish Film Institute and ACE Producers have signed a five-year partnership agreement in Cannes for the organization of the best European training workshops for producers in Poland in 2021-2025 – ACE Financing Strategies Workshops and the associated ACE Training Days Poland. The third part to the contract is the Independent Film Foundation.
The aim of the long-term partnership is to develop international professional contacts and raise the qualifications of Polish producers and to promote Poland as a highly competent co-production partner. ACE Financing Strategies Workshop in Poland will be organized by ACE Producers and the Independent Film Foundation with the financial support of the Polish Film Institute.
18.08.2021
The world premiere of the movie „Everyone Has a Summer”
The film „Everyone Has a Summer” by Tomasz Jurkiewicz, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, will take part in the GENERATOR +16 competition section of the Giffoni Film Festival in Italy. It will be its official world premiere. The event will be held on July 21-31.
The film „Everyone Has Their Summer” is the feature debut of Tomasz Jurkiewicz. The picture premiered at the 45th Polish Feature Film Festival, where it was shown in the Microbudget Film Competition. Its action takes place in a small town near Krakow. The local community plunged into stagnation is unexpectedly awakened by the arrival of a young, rebellious girl who destroys the emotional peace of a three-generation family. 17-year-old Mirek, the son of a local organist, falls in love with Agata, who cooks at the parish, and his grandfather, who suffers from dementia, sees the girl as a lover from his youth. Mirek decides to take advantage of his grandfather’s illness to get closer to Agata. Discovering mutual feelings unexpectedly reveals a family secret closely guarded by Mirek’s mother.
13.08.2021