The Polish Film Institute Awards are a distinguished honour in the film industry, acknowledging the work of individuals and institutions not directly involved in film production. These are the only Polish accolades aimed at highlighting achievements that facilitate the development of Polish cinema, promotion of its legacy, and making it easier for the public to access Polish film artistry.
Awarded since 2008, the trophy itself was designed by Kraków-based sculptor Xavery Deskur. Winners also receive a cash prize of PLN 15,000.
This year’s nominees were selected by the Award Chapter comprising Karolina Rozwód, Director of the Polish Film Institute; Maciej Dydo, Director of the Department of Copyright and Film at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage;karolina Vyšata, art historian and head of the Documentation Department at Zachęta National Gallery of Art;Robert Piaskowski, Director of the National Centre for Culture; jola Myszka, co-director of the Rialto Cinema in Poznań; Maciej Dominiak, Director and co-founder of the FILMFORUM Association;and Maja Chitro, cultural studies expert and head of culture at ELLE Magazine.
Candidates could be submitted by cultural institutions, film schools, local authorities, non-governmental organisations involved in culture, and other entities operating in the cultural sector.
The Krakow Film Foundation, established in 2003 by Krzysztof Gierat through Apollo Film, aims to organise events that popularise film and support film production.
Beyond organising the Krakow Film Festival, the Foundation’s primary activities include promoting Polish films domestically and internationally, supporting high-quality audio-visual creations, stimulating the professional and artistic development of Polish filmmakers, and organising special screenings, workshops, seminars, discussions, and other events that foster networking, experience-sharing, and discourse on contemporary film culture.
As part of its comprehensive promotion of Polish documentaries, short fiction films, and animated films abroad, the Foundation manages three projects co-funded by the Polish Film Institute: Polish Docs, Polish Shorts, and Polish Animations. These initiatives encompass maintaining websites, organising and managing Polish stands at film fairs, arranging screenings of Polish films abroad, and preparing online film bundles for foreign professionals. The Foundation also supports Polish producers and directors by facilitating their participation in Polish delegations promoting documentary or short film projects at international pitching events, presentations, and film fairs.
Through its KFF Sales&Promotion agency, the Foundation handles festival services for Polish documentaries, short animated films, and short fiction films. Since 2016, it has also been involved in selling Polish documentaries to international markets.
The Krakow Film Foundation relies on funding and grants from public and private institutions and collaborates with numerous organisations both in Poland and abroad.
The Krakow Film Festival is on the exclusive list of film events qualifying for the Oscars® in short film categories (fiction, animation, documentary) and feature-length documentary, and also recommends films for the European Film Awards in the same categories.
The 65th Krakow Film Festival is scheduled to take place from 25 May to 1 June 2025.