Polish films and co-productions on the Oscars 2024 Shortlists

“In the Rearview”, “Apolonia, Apolonia” and “The Zone of Interest” are on the Oscars 2024 Shortlists in several categories. Productions, co-financed by Polish Film Institute will compete for nominations to the Academy Awards in March 2024. On 23rd of January the official Oscars nominations will be announced. 

„Yet another moment of success for Poland’s strong film industry. I am thrilled that once again Polish creatives are shortlisted and that films co-financed by Polish Film Institute are represented in the categories: Best Documentary Feature, Best International Feature, Best Original Score and Best Sound.” says General Director Radosław Śmigulski.

„In the Rearview“ by Maciek Hamela has been shortlisted  in the Best Documentary Feature category. The film, tackling the first days of Russian invasion on Ukraine and the humanitarian effort.

“The whole crew of “In the Rearview” is very pleased with this honour. We put a lot of effort into this film and its message, hoping it would sound far and wide. And it looks like we succeded in that regard. As we can see, the power of stories of our protagonists is sufficent for the cinema be sincere and authentic” – said Maciek Hamela, the director of the film.

The film is shortlisted in the same category together with the Danish-Polish-French co production „Apolonia, Apolonia“ by Lea Glob. The story about talented Apolonia Sokol, who grows up seeking her place in the art world while grappling with the agonies and joys of womanhood and relationships in a world dominated by patriarchy, capitalism, and war.

The Polish producer Małgorzata Staroń has said: „I’m extremely happy! What a news! The Academy has took notice of the film that is not only an important piece of hardships of life of an artist, but at the same time a strong voice about woman’s empowerement and equal rights in the world of art. I am happy that thanks to support of Polish Film Institute and Regional Pomerania Film Fund I was able to co-produce this amitious and excepional film“. 

The shortlist announcement also told us that the british-american-polish coproduction „The Zone Of Interest“ by Jonathan Glazer will compete in three categories: Best International Feature, Best Original Score and Best Sound.

The two-time Oscar nominee Łukasz Żal was responsible for the cinematography of the film, which was shot entirely in Poland. The Polish creators of the film also include: Joanna Kuś (set design), Waldemar Pokromski (make-up), Małgorzata Karpiuk (costumes), Małgorzata Bereźnicka (production manager, Extreme Emotions), Bartek Raiński (co-producer) and Stanisław Cuske (cinematography). The film will be released in Polish cinemas by Gutek Film.

„The Peasants“ still in the race 

Worth remembering is that even though „The Peasants“ are not shortlisted in the International Film catgory, the film still has a chance in the Best Animation and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.

Worth adding is also the inclusion of the song „Can’t Catch Me Now“ by Olivia Rodrigo from „The Hunger Games: The Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes“ in the Original Song category. The American film was partly shot in Poland and was a participant of the Cash Rebate programme.