News
Two Polish films in the Odense Film Festival
The animated film „Co-ognition” by Przemysław Świda and the fiction „The Last Whistle” by Karol Lindholm are in the program of the Odense Film Festival. Both films are co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. The festival will be held on August 30-September 5.
In the description of the film „Co-ognition” we read: A suit, a hat, a briefcase – the main character of the animation looks like a representative of the yuppie generation or a corporate employee. This time, however, there are no documents in his briefcase, but subsequent versions of himself, and instead of going on a business trip, he goes on a crazy run on his own consciousness. Is the man running away from himself or is he trying to catch up with himself? What happens when the protagonist’s „I” finally meet? This film is an abstract vision of shaping your own personality in the style of a press comic book. Visual games with black lines and pictures allow for free penetration of successive frames, and the ptotagonist’s identity is built from geometric figures, irregularly shaped spots and characteristic objects.
13.08.2021
Polish project with an award at the festival in Annecy
The project of the film „The Birds of Paradise” by Tomek Ducki, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, won the NEF Animation Prize at the International Animated Film Festival in Annecy. Awarded for the best pitching among short films, it will allow the director to take part in international workshops in France, during which the film project will be developed.
In the description of the plot of the film we read: in the endless nothingness, in the middle of an empty space, a small flock of birds lives, creating their territory by defecating. One day, on an island made of their excrements, they find a mysterious rubber boot with magical powers. Thanks to it, it is possible to excrete more and the expansion of the land becomes faster and easier. However, this leads to a division in the group, which causes bigger problems and even bigger… droppings.
09.08.2021
Polish productions at the festival in Karlovy Vary
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, the film „Dear Ones” directed by Grzegorz Jaroszuk was included in the East of the West Competition section of the International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary. Its 55th edition will be held on August 20-28. Earlier, three productions will be presented as part of the KVIFF Eastern Promises.
„Dear Ones” is a captivating and melancholic story about everymen and their serious problems, and at the same time a mix of genres: crime fiction, comedy and drama. This is the second full-length film by Grzegorz Jaroszuk, a director of the young generation, who has managed to become famous as an artist who uses such risky means as absurdity, grotesque or slapstick.
16.07.2021
Three Polish films at the festival in Locarno
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute films „Walk with Angels” by Tomasz Wysokiński, „Bukolika” by Karol Pałka and „The Balcony Movie” by Paweł Łoziński are included in the program of the International Film Festival in Locarno. Among seven titles in the Semaine de la critique section, three are from Poland. The 74th edition of the festival will be held from August, 4 to 14.
The feature-length documentary „Walk with Angels” by Tomasz Wysokiński will have its international premiere at the Film Critics Week in Locarno. The picture has already received the Golden Hobby-Horse award at the 61st Krakow Film Festival, as well as two awards at the Industry Gala – Jury Mention for music for Paweł Mykietyn and the Best Documentary Producer Award for Mañana – Piotr Kobus / Agnieszka Wood. On June 11, it was released in theaters in Poland. The film was shot in Johannesburg and the surrounding townships over the course of four years, during which the director went with a camera into places never visited by filmmakers. Like a shadow, he accompanied the character of the film, Jerry, on a journey into hell, a mysterious and fascinating figure like the continent he comes from.
15.07.2021
Polish presence in Cannes
Co-production „Lamb” in the Un Certain Regard section, animation „Beasts among us” in the Cannes Cinéfondation, film „The Double Life of Veronique” at Cannes Classics, as well as Polish producers at Producers Network and Producers on the Move – this is how Polish presence in Cannes looks like. The Polish Film Institute also invites to its stand at the Marché du Film. The 74th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival takes place in July, 6-17.
The Polish Cinema Pavilion stand organized by the Polish Film Institute and SFP will be open throughout the festival. It is a common space dedicated to all Polish artists present in Cannes. The address of the stand is Village International Riviera # 117 – we invite you without booking a table.
12.07.2021
The „Cent’anni” project in the Cannes Docs section
The project „Cent’anni”, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, is in the Cannes Docs section at a special Docs in Progress workshop – Showcase Circle Women. This is a Slovenian-Italian-Polish production directed by Maja Prelog.
The film is a story about Blaž: a filmmaker and cycling enthusiast who once aspired to take part in the great Italian cycling race, which was prevented by his illness. After a bone marrow transplant, he has a new plan: live at least a hundred years. The film is Blaž’s bicycle journey through the stages of Giro d’Italia, during which he reflects on his „past reality” – the fight against leukemia, which he won. The days go by, the roads get steeper and Blaž is increasingly exhausted. Will he meet his expectations of reaching the finish line – Mount Etna?
12.07.2021
Polish animation in the Cannes Cinéfondation
The animation „Beasts among us” by Natalia Durszewicz, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, has been selected for the Cannes Cinéfondation. It will be presented among 17 short films (13 live-action and 4 animated) from film schools all over the world.
Cinéfondation is the competition section of the Festival de Cannes since 1998, which will take place on July, 6-17. The jury will hand over the prizes at a ceremony preceding the screening of the awarded films on Thursday, July 15th, in the Buñuel Theatre. For its 24th edition, 1,835 films were submitted, among which only 17 were selected (13 live-action and 4 animated shorts). The full list of selected productions is available here: https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/infos-communiques/communique/articles/the-jury-and-the-selection-for-short-films-and-the- cinefondation-2021
12.07.2021
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