News
Three Polish films with awards at the festival in Locarno
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, „The Hamlet Syndrome” directed by Elwira Niewiera and Piotr Rosołowski received the Grand Prix and the „Boccalino d’Oro” award for the best documentary film during the Film Critics Week at the International Film Festival in Locarno. „The Fledglings” by Lidia Duda received the Marco Zucchi Prize. In addition, the jury’s special mention for the first film was awarded to the picture „Love Dog” (dir. Bianca Lucas). The 75th edition of the festival was held on 3-13 August, 2022.
The Locarno Film Festival is one of the oldest film festivals in the world, next to events in Cannes, Venice and Karlovy Vary. In turn, Semaine de la Critique is an independent section, organized since 1990 with the Swiss Association of Film Critics.
10.09.2022
Polish films at Toronto International Film Festival 2022
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, Jerzy Skolimowski’s IO and Makbul Mubarak’s Autobiography will be screened at the Contemporary World Cinema section of the Toronto International Film Festival. In turn, as part of Industry Selects, there will be a screening of Kasia Rosłaniec’s image – „Salt Lake” and it will be its world premiere. The festival will be held on September 8-18 this year.
„IO”
02.09.2022
The film “EO” is a Polish candidate for an Oscar
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, Jerzy Skolimowski’s film “EO” will be a Polish candidate for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Best International Feature Film category. The decision was made by a seven-person Oscar Committee chaired by producer Ewa Puszczyńska. The information was provided at a press conference at the Polish Film Institute.
In the Oscar Committee, appointed by the Director of the Polish Film Institute, Radosław Śmigulski, and approved by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, prof. Piotr Gliński and the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, there were: Ewa Puszczyńska (chairperson), Radosław Śmigulski, Jan A. P. Kaczmarek, Sean Bobbit, Tadeusz Łysiak, Mariusz Łukomski and Kamila Morgisz.
30.08.2022
„Pamfir” and „Fools” awarded in Serbia
Two productions co-financed by the Polish Film Institute were awarded at the 29th Palić European Film Festival (Serbia). These are „Pamfir” (dir. Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk) and „Fools” (dir. Tomasz Wasilewski) presented at this year’s Cannes festival, which can be seen at the ongoing New Horizons festival in Wrocław.
„Pamfir”
29.07.2022
„The Balcony Movie” awarded at the Doc Edge festival
Paweł Łoziński’s documentary „The Balcony Movie”, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, was appreciated by the jury of the Doc Edge festival in New Zealand, winning in the „We are the World” category. Since its premiere, the image has been awarded many times – only in 2022 at festivals in Biarritz, Trieste, Brazil and Zagreb.
Doc Edge takes place on the internet and in several New Zealand cities and is dedicated to documentary cinema. The festival presents the most interesting Polish productions as well as important and award-winning films from around the world. The event is already renowned and qualifies for the awards of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
29.07.2022
„Woman on the Roof” and „January” appreciated at the Tribeca Film Festival
Two awards at the Tribeca Film Festival – Best Feature Award („Woman on the Roof”) and the Best Tribeca International Narrative Competition („January”) went to the Polish filmmakers. Both productions were supported by the Polish Film Institute. The program of the New York Independent Film Festival 2022, created by Robert de Niro, includes 109 full-length films.
Best Feature Award: „Woman on the Roof”
27.06.2022
Polish films in Cannes Official Selection
The Polish representation at the 75th Cannes International Film Festival is exceptionally strong. Although journalists are mainly wondering whether Palme d’Or will go to Jerzy Skolimowski, the author of the film „EO”, three other Polish productions – all co-financed by the Polish Film Institute – have a chance for awards in Cannes. The 75th edition of the festival will be held on May 17-28, 2022.
Main competition – „EO”
02.05.2022
Polish productions of Skolimowski and Smoczyńska in Cannes
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, the films „EO” by Jerzy Skolimowski and „Silent Twins” by Agnieszka Smoczyńska will be presented at the International Film Festival in Cannes. The first of them will compete in the Main Competition for the Palme d’Or, the second one in the competition section of Un Certain Regard. Moreover, in the Directors’ Fortnight section will be presented „Pamfir” (dir. Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk). The 75th edition of the festival will be held on May 17-28, 2022.
In the description of the film „EO” we read that it is „the story of a simple donkey, in an increasingly complex reality. Passed from hand to hand, the animal meets both good and bad people on its way. The story is a cinematic allegory, and the title of the film alludes to the sound that donkeys make.”
15.04.2022
„Leave no traces” awarded at the Oostende Festival
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, the film „Leave no traces” directed by Jan P. Matuszyński received awards at the Oostende Festival in the following categories: the best film and the best set design. The picture, which is a Polish-French-Czech co-production, will hit theaters in Belgium and Luxembourg on May 11, 2022.
Jan P. Matuszyński’s film had its world premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, where it received the Premio Bisato d’Oro (best picture) critics’ award. It was presented in the Main Competition of the 46th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, where it won the Silver Lions and the award for set design. It also received an award in the Best Fiction Film category at the 3KinoFest Central European Cinema Festival in Prague.
25.03.2022
The film community for Ukraine and against Putin at the ISA gala
The participants of the Independent Spirit Awards ceremony, including the authors of the Polish film „The Dress” and the director of the Polish Film Institute, Radosław Śmigulski, expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian nation. The hosts of the ceremony also called for help for Ukrainian refugees. The 37th gala will go down in history thanks to the middle finger with which the film community jointly ‘greeted’ Vladimir Putin.
This year’s festival of independent cinema was overshadowed by the tragic events in Ukraine. The hosts of the gala in Santa Monica referred to the dramatic situation of the inhabitants of this country fleeing the war. – We would like to express our support and solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine and the victims of all armed conflicts in the world – said Nick Offerman. Megan Mullally, who accompanied him on stage, made a special appeal to the Russian leader. – I think we are speaking on behalf of everyone gathered here, hoping for a quick and peaceful solution to this situation. Fu** *** and go home, Putin – this is the most welcome solution that we are all waiting for, said the actress. Offerman from the stage showed his middle finger addressed to the Russian dictator, encouraging the other participants to make a similar gesture. In this way, the crowd of stars „greeted” Vladimir Putin.
11.03.2022
The documentary „Backstage” in the competition of the SXSW festival
Ada Smyk’s documentary „Backstage” was selected for the South By South West (SXSW) short film competition in Austin, Texas. It will be the international premiere of the image produced in the Munk Studio operating at the Polish Filmmakers Association. The film was co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.
South By South West is – beside of the Sundance Film Festival – one of the most important events of independent cinema in the United States. 14 productions from all over the world were invited to this year’s international competition for the best short documentary. In this group, Ada Smyk’s film was the only representative of Poland.
09.03.2022
Oscar-nominated „The Dress” with an award in Brussels
„The Dress” by Tadeusz Łysiak, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, received the award for Best Short Feature Film at the Brussels Independent Film Festival. It is the first statuette for a production of the Warsaw Film School since it was nominated for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards in the Best Short Actor Film category. The 94th Oscar-winning gala will take place on March 27, 2022.
„The Dress” was created by a team composed of students and graduates of the Warsaw Film School. The director and screenwriter of the film is – mentioned above – Tadeusz Łysiak, the cinematography was taken by Konrad Bloch, and the editing by Mariusz Gos. The producer of the film is the Chancellor of the Warsaw Film School, dr Maciej Ślesicki, while the pedagogical supervision of the project was carried out by Wojciech Saramonowicz.
09.03.2022
An open letter of PFI general director supporting for Ukraine in Deadline
The Polish Film Institute is the latest international film organization to show its support for Ukraine as the war-torn country continues to be invaded by the Russian Federation. PFI has called for cultural sanctions to be imposed on Russia, in addition to the already issued political and economic sanctions that have been placed on the country. In an open letter obtained by Deadline, PFI general director Radosław Śmigulski said the film organization would show its “solidarity and support” to Ukrainian society and the Ukrainian audiovisual community by calling on a boycott of Russian culture and cinema.
“One cannot allow a situation in which an aggressor attacking a democratic state has the right to submit his films for participation in international festivals and to participate in cultural events without any consequences,” Śmigulski said.
09.03.2022
Statement of the Polish Film Institute on co-financing of events and festivals
In connection with the information provided by the Polish Filmmakers Association (the Russian Film Festival “Sputnik nad Polska” suspended – Polish Filmmakers Association (sfp.org.pl)) about the plans of the organizers of some film festivals, announcing the admission of independent Russian productions to the programs of the organized reviews, we inform that that the Polish Film Institute will not subsidize any project promoting Russian culture in the face of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Russian Federation must take into account the consequences of its aggression on the territory of a democratic country and the sanctions, also in the cultural field, resulting from the invasion of Ukraine.
03.03.2022
Help for Ukraine from PFI
As a result of the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, we want to assure you of our solidarity with the entire Ukrainian society and to express our opposition to the attack that violates all the rules of international law. Ukraine is a democratic country and our neighbor in the heart of Europe, which is why we are firmly involved in helping our colleagues from the film industry, and as the Polish Film Institute, we join the Ukrainian Film Academy’s appeal regarding the boycott of Russian cinematography.
01.03.2022
PFI joins the boycott of Russian cinematography
Following the call of members of the Ukrainian Film Academy to boycott Russian cinematography, we would like to inform you that the Polish Film Institute joins this action with all firmness of purpose.
01.03.2022
„I'm here” and „Fury” with awards at the Slamdance festival
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, the short film „I’m here” directed by Julia Orlik received the Grand Jury Award for the best short animation at the Slamdance Film Festival. A special distinction was awarded to Krzysztof Kasior’s documentary – „Furia”. One of the most important independent cinema festival in the world took place on January 20-30, 2022.
The image „I’m Here” – by a student of the Film School in Łódź – has already won the Best Student Short category at the Kaboom Animation Festival in the Netherlands and the Dušan Vuko Award for the best student film at the Animafest International Animated Film Festival in Zagreb. The film also received the Grand Prix at the following festivals: PÖFF Shorts in Estonia, the Polish Etiuda & Anima, and the 1st Prize in the French Nice Short Film Festival and the Golden Pigeon statuette at the German DOK Leipzig. In addition, the animation was awarded a special mention at the Krakow Film Festival and the Stuttgart festival, as well as the Audience Award at the ANIMATOR festival in Poznań. The animation was also presented in competitions of festivals, incl. in Shanghai, Nijmegen and Busan.
17.02.2022
„Once There Was a Sea…” awarded at the festival in Clermont-Ferrand
The animated documentary „Once There Was a Sea …” by Joanna Kożuch, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, received the Student Prize in the competition of the International Short Film Festival in Clermont-Ferrand. Its edition was held from January 28 to February 5, 2022.
Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival is the most important and largest short film festival in the world. In terms of audience and the presence of film industry professionals, it is the second largest film festival in France after Cannes.
17.02.2022
Polish animation with an award at the festival in Paris
The animation „Impossible Figures and Other Stories I”, the last part of Marta Pajek’s trilogy, received the award for the best artistic concept at the PIAFF – Paris International Animation Film Festival. The three-day event (January 19-23, 2022), taking place in the French capital, is entirely devoted to animation, and its program includes short films from around the world. The image was co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.
The film’s world premiere took place at the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF). The picture has already received a distinction from the Balkanima festival, as well as the Golden Pigeon for the best animation in the International Short Film Competition DOK Leipzig and the Grand Prix of the Slovenian International Animated Film Festival. „Impossible Figures and Other Stories I”, although opening the trilogy, were made last. The previous parts: „Impossible Figures and Other Stories II” (2016) and „III” (2018) were shown at the largest international festivals (including Cannes, Annecy, Clermont-Ferrand) and won 48 awards and distinctions.
17.02.2022
Film „The Dress” and Janusz Kamiński with nominations for the Oscars
Film „The Dress” by Tadeusz Łysiak, co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, is nominated for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards in the Live Action Short Film category. The Polish cinematographer Janusz Kamiński also has a chance for an Oscar for his cinematography for the film „West Side Story”. The 94th gala of these prestigious awards will be held on March 27, 2022.
Tadeusz Łysiak’s image premiered at the 60th Krakow Film Festival and since then has received a large number of awards and distinctions around the world. Among the most important are: Best Narrative Short Award at Atlanta Film Festival, Director’s Choice Award at Thomas Edison Film Festival and Best Student Film at Sao Paulo Film Festival. In addition, the film also won the statuette for the best student short film at IN THE PALACE Short Film Festival, won the Let’s Include competition at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival in India, and was awarded at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in the Best Actress category for the lead role of Anna Dzieduszycka.
10.02.2022
„Even mice belong to heaven” with nominations to French Caesars and Czech Lions
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, „Even Mice Belong to Heaven” by Denisa Grimmova and Jan Bubenička has a chance for a Caesar – the award of the French Academy of Film Art and Technology in the best animated film category. Czech-Polish-French-Slovak production is also nominated for Czech Lions in the best music (Krzysztof A. Janczak) and best animated film categories.
The animation by Denisa Grimmova and Jan Bubeniček was shown for the premiere at the International Animated Film Festival in Annecy. She was nominated for the European Film Award, and also received awards, incl. in Szanhgaj, Tallinn, Anifilm, Lucas Film Festival or at the Children’s Cinema festival.
02.02.2022