News
„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
The second year of „incentives” in Poland
Over PLN 85 million to support 50 audiovisual projects was granted by the Polish Film Institute in 2020 as part of the so-called incentives. Among the co-financed projects were 20 domestic, 14 international and 16 services.
As part of the „incentives”, in 2020 the Polish Film Institute received 77 applications, including 5 for a certificate and 72 for financial support. The Institute granted support for the total amount of PLN 85,271,108.17. The average amount of support for one project is PLN 1,705,422.16, and the highest amount is PLN 6,699,897.36.
26.02.2021
„Quo vadis, Aida?” on the shortlist for the BAFTA Awards
Co-production of nine countries, including Poland, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute – „Quo vadis, Aida?” by Jasmila Žbanić is on the shortlist of candidates for the awards of the British Film and Television Academy – BAFTA in two categories: film not in the English language and director. The nominations will be announced on March 3, and 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.
22.02.2021
The 46th Gdynia Festival, traditionally, in September
This year’s edition of the Polish Film Festival will be held on September 20-25, 2021.
During the meeting on February 1, 2021, the Organising Committee of the Polish Film Festival summed up the December edition of the festival and planned the date of this year’s, which is to take place on the traditional September date.
19.02.2021
Cinemas may operate from February 12
The cinemas may operate from February 12, 2021 conditionally for two weeks and with the limit of 50% seats available, the government informed. In open cinemas, a sanitary regime will apply: masks on mouth and nose, social distancing and a ban on consumption.
Announced on February 5, 2021, the decision of the Government Crisis Management Team does not impose an obligation, but allows the owners or organizers of cinemas to operate again.
19.02.2021
Polish films awarded at the festival in Trieste
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute „Sweat” by Magnus von Horn received Cineuropa Award at the 32 nd Trieste Film Festival. The best in shorts was„Beyond is the day” directed by Damian Kocur.
The winner of Silver Lions at the last Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, took also part in the festivals in Göteborg (the Church of Sweden’s Angelos Award for Magnus von Horn) and Rotterdam. In 2020, „Sweat” won the main award in the International Feature Film Competition (Gold Hugo) at the 56th Chicago International Film Festival, appears in the official selection of the 73rd Cannes festival and received a special TIFF Industry Selects label in Toronto. Film by Magnus von Horna, instead of Silver Lions, received also five individual prizes at the 45th Polish Film Festival, which were awarded for directing (Magnus von Horn), cinematography (Michał Dymek), editing (Agnieszka Glińska), main female role (Magdalena Koleśnik) and supporting female role (Aleksandra Konieczna).
16.02.2021
„Beyond is the day” awarded at the festival in Clermont-Ferrand
Short film „Beyond is the day” directed by Damian Kocur was awarded with the Best European Film Award at the 43rd Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France. It places the title on the list of films eligible for the nomination for the European Film Award for Best Short Film.
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival is the biggest festival for shorts all over the world. „Beyond is the day” was the only Polish title that was selected out of 7000 movies to start in the International Competition. Jury consisting of Bertrand Faivre, Bérangère Mc Neese, Pascale Faure, Anthony Nti and Hefang Wei praised the humanistic and universal tone of the film.
16.02.2021
„Charlatan” and „Quo vadis, Aida?” will compete for Oscar nominations
„Charlatan” by Agnieszka Holland and „Quo vadis, Aida?” by Jasmila Žbanić, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, are on the shortlist of candidates for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. „Kill it and leave this town” by Mariusz Wilczyński has the chance to be nominated in the Best Animated Feature Film category, in which the shortlist is not announced. Oscars nominations will be announced on March 15.
„Charlatan” is a Czech-Polish-Irish-Slovak co-production that represents the Czech Republic in the Oscar race. It is a drama based on facts about the famous Czech healer – Jan Mikolášek. He was a self-taught medical practitioner who, thanks to his horticultural profession, got to know the world of plants and their healing properties. He was famous all over the Czech Republic for his skills, and among his patients were the president of pre-war Czechoslovakia Tomas Masaryk, as well as the communist prime minister and president of the country, Antonín Zápotocký, after whose death the authorities decided to throw the healer into prison.
16.02.2021
Ewa Puszczyńska and Radosław Śmigulski on the Variety 500 list
Film producer Ewa Puszczyńska and Director of the Polish Film Institute Radosław Śmigulski were included in the prestigious list of the most influential people in the media industry, published for the fourth time by the American magazine Variety. Most of the world’s leaders in this industry come from the USA, Great Britain, China, France and Italy.
All the distinguished people from the media industry can be seen here: https://variety.com/variety-500/
18.01.2021
Polish productions in Contenders International
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, the films „Never Gonna Snow Again” by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert and „Kill It and Leave This Town” by Mariusz Wilczyński took part in Contenders International along with 20 other films from different countries. The event was organized by Deadline.
Contenders is one of the most important and prestigious events that kicks off the awards season in the United States and is an important part of any Oscar campaign. Contenders International, which is held for the first time, was a presentation of selected foreign titles that are competing for the American Academy Awards.
13.01.2021
Panel with filmmakers of „Never Gonna Snow Again”
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute „Never Gonna Snow Again” was presented during Deadline Virtual Screening Series. After that there was a discussion with filmmakers: Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englert. Their movie is Poland’s entry for this year’s Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category.
Filmmaking duo Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englert revealed in conversation with Tom Grater that the main character (in that role – Alec Utgoff) of „Never Gonna Snow Again” was inspired by a masseur friend of theirs. They decided to use this personality in the story of their film. Szumowska and Englert’s background growing up in Poland under Soviet rule, and also in relatively close proximity to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, also influenced the project.
08.01.2021
Polish Film Festival in Australia online
More than 30 films in 10 days – that is a programme of the Polish Film Festival-Summer 2021. For the first time it will be available online for free for the audience throughout Australia at polishfilmfestival.com.au. Festival takes place between 22 and 31 January 2021.
According to organisers opinion, the programme is a unique selection of Polish films from the past decade, which will undoubtedly arouse interest of a diverse group of viewers. It offers movies like „The Legions” (dir. Dariusz Gajewski), „Black Mercedes” (dir. Janusz Majewski), „The Messenger” (dir. Władysław Pasikowski) or „The Servants of War” (dir. Mariusz Gawryś). Many of these films were nominated for international awards.
08.01.2021
„25 years of innocence” awarded in Genoa and Tallinn
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute „25 years of innocence” received two awards at the Festival Nuovo Cinema Europain Genoa.Its director Jan Holoubek got also a First Feature Competition Special Jury Prize at the Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn.
Jan Holoubek’s film has already received two awards at the 45. Polish Film Festival, for directing debut and the main male role (Piotr Trojan). During the 39th Koszalin Festival of Young Film Debuts and Film „25 years of innocence” was awarded for the best director (Jan Holoubek), the best actor (Piotr Trojan), the best screenplay (Andrzej Gołda), the best cinematography (Bartłomiej Kaczmarek) and the Audience Award. Then it won the Director’s Debuts Competition and got a Special Mention in the Polish Films Competition during teh EnergaCAMERIMAGE.
04.01.2021
„Kill It and Leave This Town” won the Polish Film Festival
For the first time in the history of the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, the award for the best film – Golden Lions received a full-length animation directed by Mariusz Wilczyński – „Kill It and Leave This Town”. Silver Lions were awarded to the film „Sweat” by Magnus von Horn. Festival, which organiser is Polish Film Institute, was held online.
The winners of the Golden and Silver Lions, as well as individual prizes in the Main Competition were awarded by the Jury composed of: Lech Majewski (chairman of the jury), Grażyna Błęcka-Kolska, Marcin Lenarczyk, Ryszard Lenczewski, Dorota Masłowska, Jan P. Matuszyński, Cezary Pazura and Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska. The Grand Prize „Golden Lions” for the best film „Kill it and leave this town” went to director Mariusz Wilczyński and producers: Ewa Puszczyńska and Agnieszka Ścibior.The „Silver Lions” award for the film „Sweat” went to director Magnus von Horn and producer Mariusz Włodarski. The „Golden Claw” award in the „Visions Apart” category for the film „Magnesium” went to director Maciej Bochniak and producers: Leszek Bodzak and Aneta Hickinbotham.
04.01.2021
„Prime Time” at the Sundance Film Festival
Jakub Piątek’s debut – „Prime Time” starring Bartosz Bielenia and Magdalena Popławska, is to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Production – co-financed by the Polish Film Institute – will compete against nine feature films in the World Cinema Dramatic competition.
Founded by Robert Redford more than forty years ago, the festival that celebrates independent cinema has turned into one of the most important film events worldwide. This is the place where Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Darren Aronofsky and Jim Jarmusch started their careers, and the films such as „Reservoir Dogs”, „Little Miss Sunshine” and „Whiplash” attracted attention of a wider audience. It was at this festival that Agnieszka Smoczyńska received the Special Jury Award for „The Lure” four years ago, and in 2019, Krystyna Janda was awarded for her role in „Dolce fina giornata” directed by Jacek Borcuch. Next edition will be between January, 28th till February, 3rd 2021. Films will be shown on online platform and on special screenings in partnership with independent cinema communities across the U.S. and beyond to safely host in-person events.
30.12.2020