5 days of films, meetings, and conversations that truly make a difference.

For a few days, Katowice was filled with cinema and encounters between emerging filmmakers and industry professionals.

There were films from around the world, pitchings, consultations, one-on-one meetings, and many moments that felt like “this could be the beginning of something bigger.”

Roundtable meetings with representatives of the most important film festivals in Poland created a real opportunity to talk directly with those who make selection decisions.

Alongside that — panels, workshops, and a wealth of practical knowledge on how to enter and navigate the industry.

This was the last edition under the leadership of Dr. Anna Huth — the person who, over the years, consistently built Węgiel Film Festival, transforming it from a student film showcase into a real platform connecting emerging filmmakers with the industry.

Thank you for the immense work, vision, and heart put into developing the festival!

The artistic director of this year’s edition was Paweł Maślona — thank you for shaping the programme and the energy of this edition.

Thanks to this work, the Festival has become a place where film journeys truly begin.

Thank you to everyone who was part of this energy!

29 April 2026

We are delighted to share that Na własnych zasadach (On One’s Own Terms), a documentary directed by Tadeusz Chudy, a graduate of the Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School at the University of Silesia in Katowice, has been selected for the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival – one of the world’s leading documentary festivals.

The film will be presented in the World Showcase section and will have its international premiere at the festival.

Screenings:

– April 26, 2026, 7:45 PM

– April 27, 2026, 2:15 PM

• TIFF Lightbox, Toronto

Na własnych zasadach tells the story of Paweł and Julka – step-siblings raised in foster care who dream of independence. When an opportunity for a new life arises, reality quickly puts their plans to the test.

This is another important step in the film’s international journey – fingers crossed!

25 April 2026

We are delighted to share that RODOS, directed by our student Filip Szela, will be presented in the competition of the 66th Krakow Film Festival!

RODOS

director: Filip Szela | cinematography: Filip Fiszer | production manager: Karolina Olszowiec | produced by the Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School, University of Silesia in Katowice | 2026

It is a tender and nostalgic observation of life in allotment gardens – a story about everyday routines and the passage of time.

In addition, the following films have also been selected for the short and feature-length documentary competition:

Kontrewers, dir. Zuza Banasińska – produced by Aleksandra Aleksander, a graduate of the Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School, University of Silesia in Katowice. The film blends archival materials with an intimate story about memory and the relationship with the past.

Stroiciele, dir. Paweł Chorzępa – directed by a lecturer at the Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School, University of Silesia in Katowice, the film reveals the behind-the-scenes work of piano tuners during the Chopin Competition.

The 66th Krakow Film Festival will take place from May 31 to June 7, 2026.

Congratulations to all the filmmakers – we’re keeping our fingers crossed and hope to see you in Krakow!

24 April 2026

The film “Dad’s Not Home”, directed by our student Jan Saczek – last year’s Student Academy Award winner – was selected for the Short Film Competition at the 50th Cleveland International Film Festival

During the festival, the film was represented by our student Lidia Le Thanh – the production manager – along with Ignacy Cofała, assistant production manager

The presence of the film in the program of one of the most important film festivals in the United States is a great honor for us and a confirmation of the high level of our students’ work.

Two underage brothers hide from the world that their father suffers from frontotemporal dementia. They must take care of him and manage the household in order to stay together.

“Dad’s Not Home”

dir. Jan Saczek | cinematography: Patryk Roman | production manager: Lidia Le Thanh | produced by: Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School, University of Silesia in Katowice | 2025

The participation of the film’s delegation was supported by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute

17 April 2026