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23.12.2020
Agnieszka Holland elected new EFA president
Polish director Agnieszka Holland has been elected new president of the European Film Academy. She is the first woman in the history of this international organization with over 3.8 thousand members. Holland will replace the German director Wim Wenders who has held this position since 1996.
Agnieszka Holland was elected in a vote in which all EFA members could participate. Previously, she had already held an important position at the Academy – between 2014-2019 she was the chairman of its management board. – The time is challenging and to save the creative power of independent cinema and the involvement of our audience, we need to use all our experience and imagination. I believe there is an important role for EFA here and I am happy to be part of it – said Agnieszka Holland after the announcement of the voting results.
21.12.2020
„Charlatan” by Agnieszka Holland is a Czech candidate for the Oscar
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, Agnieszka Holland’s „Charlatan” was announced a Czech candidate for the Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category. It will compete for the nomination, among others with the films „Never Gonna Snow Again” (Poland), „Aida” (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and „Oblivion” (Greece).
„Charlatan” is a Czech-Polish-Irish co-production whose world premiere took place at this year’s Berlinale. In turn, the picture „Never Gonna Snow Again” is the Polish candidate for an Oscar, and „Aida” is a co-production of eight countries: Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Norway, the Polish producer of which is Ewa Puszczyńska. The film „Oblivion” by Christos Nikou is a Greek-Polish co-production, shot by Bartosz Świniarski.
10.11.2020
„Kill it and leave this town” awarded in Vienna
The animated feature film „Kill it and leave this town” by Mariusz Wilczyński won the Prize of the International Federation of Film Critics FIPRESCI at 58th Viennale. This picture, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, opened the 20th International Film Festival New Horizons in Wroclaw, is in selection of Main Competition at the 45th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia and will compete for a nomination for the American Academy Awards in the Best Animated Feature category.
The film’s world premiere took place at the Encounters competition at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival. The film received a jury award in the main competition of the 44th Annecy International Animated Film Festival and the main prize at the 44th International Animation Festival in Ottawa (OIAF). It also won the 11th Festival Cine Al Este de Lima in Peru.
10.11.2020
„Sweat” won the Chicago International Film Festival
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute „Sweat” won the main award in the International Feature Film Competition (Gold Hugo) at the 56th Chicago International Film Festival. The picture directed by Magnus von Horn also received Silver Hugo for the Best Art Direction (for Jagna Dobesz). The Best Screenplay Award went to Polish-Greek coproduction „Apples” directed by Christos Nikou. The picture by Katarzyna Warzecha „We Have One Heart” won the Documentary Short Film Competition.
„Sweat” appears in the official selection of the 73rd Cannes festival and received a special TIFF Industry Selects label in Toronto. Film, written and directed by Magnus von Horn, has opened 20th International Film Festival New Horizons in Wroclaw and goes to the Main Competition of the 45th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia.
10.11.2020
„Wall of shadows” won the Bergen Film Festival
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute the latest film by Eliza Kubarska and Monika Braid – „Wall of shadows” awarded for the best documentary at the International Film Festival in Bergen. It had its world premiere at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto, but it was screened for the first time in Poland during the 17th edition of the Millennium Docs Against Gravity festival.
It is a universal story about a clash of two cultures. The action takes place at the foot of the Himalayas, reaching almost 8,000 meters Kumbhakarna, also known as Jannu. For Western climbers it is one of the most difficult mountains in the world and a dream place to „conquer”, but for Nepalese Sherpas – one of the last holy mountains. According to local beliefs, its summit is inhabited by gods and people are not allowed to enter their area. However, the illiterate Nada decides to take part in the expedition. For 20 years he has been risking his life as a porter at high altitudes, hanging ropes on eight-thousanders. Now he wants to earn money for school for his youngest son – teenage Dawa – and thus save him from the dangerous work of a Himalayan porter. However, participating in an expedition to the sacred mountain is a taboo break.
10.11.2020
Polish animation awarded in Cannes
Animation co-financed by the Polish Film Institute „My fat arse and I” directed by Yelyzaveta Pysmak won the second prize in the Cannes section – Cinéfondation 2020. Earlier this picture by student from the Film School in Łódź, received the Audience Award at the 36th Warsaw Film Festival.
First prize of the 23rd Cannes Cinéfondation goes to „Catdog” directed by Ashmita Guha Neogi from India and joint third prize go to „Contraindications” directed by Lucia Chicos from Romania and „I want to return return return” directed by Elsa Rosengren from Germany. The winners will receive a €15,000 grant for the First Prize, €11,250 for the Second and €7,500 for the Third. The prizes have been awarded on the stage of the Grand Théâtre Lumière as part of „Cannes 2020 Special” by the members of jury comprised of Damien Bonnard, Rachid Bouchareb, Claire Burger, Charles Gillibert, Dea Kulumbegashvili and Céline Sallette.
30.10.2020
13 projects at the US in Progress in Wroclaw
Nine American projects in post-production and four Polish projects in the development stage have been selected to participate in the US in Progress forum. The tenth edition of the co-production forum will be held online from November 11th to 13th 2020, as a part of the 11th edition of the American Film Festival in Wroclaw. US in Progress is organized with the support of The Polish Film Institute.
The event aims to facilitate professional networking among European and Polish film professionals and independent filmmakers from the United States. Leading Polish sound and image studios provide in-kind awards of post-production service packages for the American projects: Coloroffon, Fixafilm, Orka, Maciej Zielinski and Soundflower Studio.
30.10.2020
The nationwide social campaign „Cinema means emotions” has been launched
On September 4, the social campaign „Cinema means emotions” was launched in Poland. As part of the project, which aims to encourage people to return to cinemas, viewers can see emotional spots featuring film stars: Joanna Kulig and Marcin Dorociński, in which actors remind about the unique role of cinema in our lives. The campaign, under the patronage of the Polish Film Institute, is a joint initiative of the cinema chains: Cinema City, Helios, Multikino, as well as studio and local cinemas from all over Poland. Support was also provided by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Polish Producers’ Guild and the National Chamber of Audiovisual Producers.
The entire Polish industry united in the campaign „Cinema means emotions”, which began on September 4 in cinemas, television and the Internet to remind us of the important role that cinema plays in our lives. This is a unique initiative: for the first time in history, all Polish cinemas unite in a joint action. The cinema operators involved in the campaign include: Cinema City, Helios, Multikino and cinemas associated with the Network of Studio and Local Cinemas all over Poland. The project is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The campaign is also supported by the Polish Producers Guild and the Polish Audiovisual Producers Chamber of Commerce.
15.09.2020
Polish films start their pre-Oscar promotion with the support of the Polish Film Institute
The Polish Film Institute will provide promotional support to three Polish productions which will compete for the Academy Awards. In addition to „Never gonna snow again” by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert, two other films will compete for the nomination: „Mr Jones” by Agnieszka Holland and „Kill It and Leave This Town” by Mariusz Wilczyński. All films are co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.
The image by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert „Never gonna snow again” is a Polish candidate for an Oscar in the Best International Feature category. On the other hand, Agnieszka Holland’s film „Mr Jones”, awarded with the Golden Lions at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, was submitted in the competition in the Best Film category. The third production is the film „Kill It and Leave This Town” awarded at the festival in Annecy, directed by Mariusz Wilczyński, who will fight for a nomination in the Best Animated Feature category. Shortlist of candidates will be announced on February 9, 2021.
25.08.2020
„Never gonna snow again” picked as Polish Oscar entry
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institutepicture „Never gonna snow again” directed by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englerthas been picked as Poland’s candidate for the best international feature film at the American Academy Awards. This decision by the Polish Oscar’s Commission presided by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek was announced on August 10th at a press conference in Warsaw.
The film is set to premiere at this year’s Main Competition of the Venice Film Festival. It has also been officially selected to Telluride Film Festival, one of the most important film festivals in the USA.
18.08.2020
Polish representatives at the Toronto Festival
The film „Quo vadis, Aida?”, produced by Ewa Puszczyńska and the Indian film „The Disciple” with cinematography by Michał Sobociński, were among the 50 productions in the official program of the 45th Toronto International Film Festival. The event will be held on September 10-19 in a changed formula.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, traditional screenings (only during the first five days of the event) with a limited number of viewers will be held alongside drive-in screenings, digital screenings, virtual red carpets and remote conferences.
10.08.2020
New film by Piotr Domalewski at the festival in San Sebastian
„I never cry”, the newest and second feature-length film by Piotr Domalewski, will take part in this year’s 68th San Sebastian International Film Festival. It will be shown in the Kutxabank-New Directors Award section. The film received a grant from the Polish Film Institute.
The Spanish festival will be held on September 18-26. „I never cry” is included in section which presents debuts and second feature-length films by distinguished artists. Its premiere is scheduled for September 25. Previously, it was shown as part of the Marche du Film in Cannes, as well as in the Works in Progress program in Karlovy Vary.
07.08.2020
Changes to the 45th PFF: new date, new competition
The next Polish Film Festival in Gdynia will take place in December 2020 and will present the latest Polish films in three competition sections – decided the Organizing Committee of the Polish Film Festival.
The 45th Polish Film Festival will be held in Gdynia on December 8-12, 2020. This was the decision of the Organizing Committee at the meeting held on August 5, 2020, adopting the new regulations of the Polish Film Festival.
07.08.2020
„Kill it and leave this town” at the Ottawa and Melbourne festivals
The animated film „Kill it and leave this town” by Mariusz Wilczyński was included in the competition of the International Animation Festival in Ottawa and the International Film Festival in Melbourne. The picture is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.
Mariusz Wilczyński’s full-length directorial debut is an autobiographical impression, a reminiscence of childhood images, in which the memories of his deceased parents and his hometown of Łódź come alive. Voices in the animation are given, among others, by Krystyna Janda, Andrzej Chyra, Maja Ostaszewska and Małgorzata Kożuchowska.
31.07.2020
We know the members of the Oscar Selection Committee
Until August 11 this year, six members of the Oscar Commission chaired by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek will select a Polish candidate for an Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category.
The composition of the Selection Comittee, appointed by the Director of the Polish Film Institute, Radosław Śmigulski, was approved by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, prof. Piotr Gliński.
31.07.2020
Polish film in the International Competition at the Venice Festival
The film by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert „Never gonna snow again” was included in the International Competition of the Venice Film Festival. This year’s edition of the event will feature a record number of productions (9) with the participation of Poles. Most of them were co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.
„Never gonna snow again” is the first Polish film in five years in the Main Competition of the Venice festival. The image by the Szumowska-Englert duo was based on their shared script. The cast includes: Alec Utgoff, Maja Ostaszewska, Agata Kulesza, Weronika Rosati, Katarzyna Figura, Andrzej Chyra, Łukasz Simlat and Krzysztof Czeczot.
31.07.2020
We know the Polish Days 2020 program
Six completed films, eight as part of the „Works in Progress” presentation and 10 projects in the development stage appear in the Polish Days 2020 program. This is one of the most important industry events in Poland. This year’s edition of the event, co-organized by the Polish Film Institute, will take place online from July 27-29.
Although the New Horizons festival, which organizes Polish Days, has been moved to November 2020, the July edition, thanks to the online platform, will be attended by about 100 guests from abroad, including selectors of many international festivals, sales agents, distributors and film producers.
27.07.2020
The 45th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia will be held in November
Meeting the expectations of the film community, on July 15, 2020 the Organizational Committee of the Polish Film Festival unanimously decided to organize the 45th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia this year. The hybrid event will take place on November 9-14, 2020.
At the same time, the Organizational Committee asked the Director of the Polish Film Festival to present the regulations containing a substitute formula for the Polish Film Festival by August 3, 2020.
22.07.2020
Polish document appreciated in New Zealand
The film „Long Day Tomorrow” by Paweł Wysoczański received a special jury award at the Doc Edge International Documentary Film Festival in New Zealand. He was awarded for „beautiful composition and exceptional personal commitment”. The film was co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.
„Paweł Wysoczański’s film deserves a special mention. Talking about Dr. Helena Pyz and her 30 years of work at the leprosy treatment center and their children, the film is distinguished by a beautiful composition and exceptional personal commitment. Wysoczański gives an example of the art of documentary cinema, a clear narrative and a humanitarian message,” it was written in the justification of the award in the category for international directors.
15.07.2020
„Kill It and Leave This Town” honored in Annecy
The film „Kill It and Leave This Town” received a jury award in the main competition of the 44th International Animation Film Festival in Annecy. The film directed by Mariusz Wilczyński is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. The French online event took part between 15 till 30 of June.
The world premiere of „Kill It and Leave This Town” took place in the Encounters competition at the 70th International Film Festival in Berlin. The film is the full-length directorial debut of Mariusz Wilczyński. Voices in the animation are given by, among others Krystyna Janda, Andrzej Chyra, Maja Ostaszewska and Małgorzata Kożuchowska.
15.07.2020