2024 YEAR IN REVIEW
We’re gearing up for Script Fiesta with excitement in the air, and as January kicks off, it’s the perfect time to look back and celebrate an extraordinary year of accomplishments!
In 2024, Warsaw Film School proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary, while the Film and Video Game Creation High School reached an impressive milestone of 10 years. Here’s a snapshot of our phenomenal achievements:
🎬 200+ two-minute etudes produced—don’t miss the best ones on YouTube
🎞 41 films brought to life
📽 198 screenings of our films at:
- 110 festivals, including
- 79 international festivals
- 31 Polish festivals and showcases
🏆 34 prestigious awards for our productions
A Year of Film Triumphs
One of our crowning achievements was the success of "Ludzie" ("People"), directed by Maciej Ślesicki, the chancellor of Warsaw Film School, alongside alumnus Filip Hillesland. Premiering at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, the film went on to captivate audiences in Poland, Ukraine, the USA, Turkey, and Ireland, with support from the Polish Film Institute.
Our students shone brightly this year, producing over 200 short exam films—training grounds for first-year filmmakers to master storytelling and on-set collaboration. These gems, along with 41 short fiction and documentary films created by undergraduates and postgraduates, showcased their immense talent and creativity.
Festival Highlights
Warsaw Film School films dominated the global stage with 225 festival selections, 5 Oscar-qualifying entries, and an impressive 38 awards, honors, and nominations!
Star Performers of the Year
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"Przez ciebie, po tobie" ("Because of You, After You")
Directed by Jędrzej Gorski, this deeply moving tale of a father-son bond premiered at the Kraków Film Festival and claimed top awards at the Lubuskie Summer Film Festival and Hommage à Kieślowski International Film Festival. -
"Jestem" ("I Am")
A heartfelt story by first-year director Cezary Orłowski, about a young boy with Down syndrome finding love while working in his mother’s funeral home. It swept hearts (and awards!) at festivals in Poland, India, and Canada, winning Best Short Film at the Ekran – Toronto Polish Film Festival. -
"Moja" ("Mine")
Directed by Kaja Sajdak, this powerful narrative about a Polish-Ukrainian friendship amid war premiered at the Summer Film Academy in Zwierzyniec and won Best Actress for Ewa Szykulska at the Grand OFF Festival. -
"Łódź podwodna" ("Submarine")
Directed by Oliwia Zakrzewska, this intimate documentary about family ties won the Grand Prize at the Women’s Art Festival Demakijaż and garnered international acclaim in Luxembourg, the USA, and beyond.
International Spotlight
Our international students made waves with two exceptional films:
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"Rouge" ("Red") by Sophie Horry (France), with cinematography by Mauricio Blas.
A bold exploration of teenage expectations, Rouge won the Journalist Award at the Koszalin Debut Film Festival and Best Cinematography at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia. -
"Wie all die anderen" ("Like All the Others") by Max Bommas (Germany), with cinematography by Oscar Pinaud.
This historical drama about a young Wehrmacht soldier premiered at the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival and was featured at EnergaCAMERIMAGE, a major honor for budding cinematographers.
Postgraduate Brilliance
Postgraduate filmmaker Ania Płonka dazzled with her short film "Leben", earning Best Directing at the Kosice International Film Festival and selections at New Horizons, Gdynia, and international festivals in Belgium, Germany, and the USA.
2024 was nothing short of spectacular—a year of creative breakthroughs, international recognition, and unforgettable stories told through film. Here's to an even brighter future at Warsaw Film School! 🌟🎥