They have a daunting task ahead of them. Sixteen individuals working in and around the cinema industry – journalists, critics, filmmakers, and film scholars, led by festival director Krzysztof Gierat, are going to watch hundreds of documentaries, animated and fiction short films from around the world. The titles they select will be screened in Kraków cinemas from 26 May to 2 June 2024 at the 64th Krakow Film Festival.
We sit before our screens at home like viewers of evening news programs in front of their TVs. But not to find out what the world is up to – we know that all too well from the news bombarding us from all sides. In the submitted films, we seek the reasons behind events and the hope that things will get better. We observe extraordinary characters and their unique stories. We let ourselves be captivated by intricate filmmaking techniques. In these images, like in a mirror, we see our fears, struggles, failures, and victories. – comments festival director Krzysztof Gierat.
Documentaries Without Limits
Short, long, and sometimes very long. The documentary film selectors have plenty of work ahead, which they will tackle under the guidance of section curator Anita Piotrowska. The film critic for Tygodnik Powszechny and member of the International Federation of Film Critics FIPRESCI will be joined by director Grzegorz Zariczny, journalist Marcin Stachowicz, director Clara Kleininger-Wanik, journalist Tadeusz Marek, and director Aniela Gabryel.
Only seemingly less work will be had by film scholar Maciej Gil and director Teresa Czepiec, who will handle short documentaries.
Animated and Fiction Films
Free in form, limited only by runtime. Section curator, director Wiola Sowa, and film scholar Olga Bobrowska will select the most interesting animated films from around the world for the program of the 64th Krakow Film Festival.
Meanwhile, film scholar Bartek Tesarz, director Artur Wyrzykowski, film scholar Anna Waszczuk, journalist Mateusz Demski, film scholar Marta Stańczyk, and director Jakub Radej are going to face the diversity of short fiction films.
The Selection
By mid-April, the selection team, along with festival director Krzysztof Gierat, will choose the titles to be presented in four equal competitions – three international competitions: The International Documentary Competition, the Short Film Competition, and the DocFilmMusic Competition, as well as the domestic National Competition.
Fascinating stories from around the world will also make their way into the special film sections. One of these will be “Focus on Romania,” showcasing the latest in cinema from that region. As every year, the best films about science will be featured in the Docs+Science series prepared by Karol Jałochowski – a journalist for the weekly Polityka, physicist, and documentary film director. The “Kids&Youth Fest” section, overseen by Magdalena Walo for the past several years, will also make an appearance.
Krakow Film Festival is on the exclusive list of qualifying events for the Oscars® in the categories of short film (live action, animated, documentary) and documentary feature, as well as a recommending event for the European Film Awards in the same categories.The 64th Krakow Film Festival will be held in cinemas from 26 May to 2 June and online across Poland on the KFF VOD platform from 31 May to 16 June 2024.