The Kieślowski Film School was privileged to host renowned cinematographer Vladimir Smutny from January 16th to 20th, 2023. He led masterclasses for students in Film and Television Image Production and Photography, imparting his expertise and knowledge.
Smutny is an eight-time winner of the Czech Lion Award for Best Cinematography. He was the cinematographer for the 1996 Oscar-winning foreign language film "Kola," directed by Jan Svěrák. In recent years, his most acclaimed work is "The Painted Bird" (2019), directed by Václav Marhoul and adapted from Jerzy Kosiński's novel. Smutny was awarded the Bronze Frog at the Energa Camerimage festival for his cinematography in "The Painted Bird."
As part of their Film, Television Image, and Photography course, students viewed two of Smutny's acclaimed films: "The Painted Bird" and "Lea" (1996), directed by Ivan Fíla. Following each screening, students engaged in insightful discussions. The masterclasses were a part of the "One University - Many Possibilities: Integrated Program."
"Leave No Traces,” a film directed by our distinguished graduate and lecturer Jan P. Matuszyński has been nominated for the 2022 Empik Bestsellers Award in the Polish Cinema category. Empik Bestsellers Awards honor major accomplishments in various media, including best-selling books, films, CDs, games, and magazines.
Leszek Bodzak and Aneta Hickinbotham, the renowned producers behind the Oscar-nominated film “Corpus Christi,” have joined forces once again to bring “Leave No Traces” to life. Aneta Hickinbotham, who holds a degree in Film and Television Production Organization and is also a lecturer at the Kieślowski Film School, brings her knowledge and expertise to the production. Together, Leszek and Aneta have proved to be a dynamic producing duo, bringing powerful and thought-provoking narratives to the big screen.
Damian Kocur, a graduate of Kieślowski Film School, is also among the nominees for the Empik Bestsellers Award. He was nominated in the “Empik’s Discoveries” category for his film “Bread and Salt” (2022).
The grand finale of the Empik Bestsellers Award will be held on February 7, 2023. The live broadcast will commence at 07:45 on Empik's Facebook profile and at 20:15 on TVN.
We cordially invite you to attend the exhibition opening of Marcin Gołąb’s “it’s only temporary.” As a student of Film, Television, and Photography at the Kieślowski Film School in Katowice, Gołąb presents an intriguing collection of works. The event will take place on January 9th at 6:00 PM at Marszałkowska 18 in Warsaw. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the exhibition until February 11, 2023. We hope to see you there.
In this photographic series, Gołąb takes us on a journey to a remote village in the Bieszczady Mountains. The raw shots illustrate the essence of living with only the bare necessities. This solemn microcosm may seem foreign to most of us, yet it is mesmerizing in its own right. The thought of living in the middle of the forest, in a small house, without electricity or running water, is simultaneously perplexing and attractive. At a crucial time when it seems as if the planet is approaching the end of its lifespan, Gołąb prompts contemplation on how little is required to survive. In addition, he draws attention to the temporal nature of photography, thus unveiling a deeper purpose. When we look at each individual piece, we get the impression that something is about to happen—an insect will flee, a gust of wind may cause the bottle to topple, or an arrow may hit the target. It’s as if we’re gazing at freeze frames from a movie that’s about to be played. The changes in perception and reality brought about by the pandemic gave Gołąb a heightened sense of timing, enabling him to capture the perfect moment and freeze the frame in his photographic series.
“It’s only temporary” is also a story about a nonconformist life and a tribute in honor of the beauty and power of nature. Gołąb’s images are reminiscent of Henry David Thoreau’s essays from almost 200 years ago. Both individuals are similar in many respects. They lived in self-built, austere homes for about two years, leaving behind the trappings of contemporary civilization. Like Thoreau, Gołąb turns the spotlight on submitting to nature and becoming self-reliant by minimizing his needs. In Gołąb’s images, the protagonist observes the new reality from outside the frame, which allows him the ability to marvel at the true beauty of nature. The winter landscapes dominate human interference, and the latter gradually becomes inappropriate and disruptive to the observer’s eyes. The silence and peace emanating from the images permeate the narrative. In this microcosm, nature prevails, and man is left contemplating his place in it.
Gołąb, born in Rzeszów in 1992, was raised in the Bieszczady Mountains. His work showcases emotions and creativity rooted within the Polish documentary heritage. Gołąb also studied cinematography at the Higher School of Art and Design in Łódź.
The project “The Year of Craftsmanship in Film: Disappearing Professions in the Silesian Voivodeship” will explore diverse professions and present the elements of work, passion, and skills that drive them. Its primary objective is to depict the craftsmanship of professionals, including but not limited to watchmakers, lumberjacks, framers, cinematographers, and ferry operators, through the lens of the students of the Kieślowski Film School.
As part of this project, the second-and third-year students of Film, Television, And Photography at Kieślowski Film School, under the supervision of Prof. Adam Sikora and Prof. Paweł Chorzępa created nine short films presenting various craft professions.
The following films will be shown during the event, which will take place on January 12, 2023, at 18:00 in the Kinoteatr Rialto, Katowice:
“Ceramiczka” dir. Julia Januszyk and Estera Świętosławska
“Szewc” dir. Aleksandra Neyman and Aneta Bochnacka
“Podkownik” dir. Jakub Kaźmierczak and Wojciech Węglarz
“Kinooperator” dir. Radosław Kozieł and Jakub Piórkowski
“Piszczałki żywieckie” dir. Jakub Stoszek and Paweł Kozak
“Zegarmistrz” dir. Agnieszka Knocińska and Katarzyna Lewek
“Ramiarze” dir. Kornel Prokopowicz and Mateusz Rzońca
“Prom” dir. Adrian Grotyński and Bartosz Gaczyński
“Zrywka” dir. Radosław Moszczak and Aram Jesajan
PAfter the screening, Anna Dudzińska, a journalist for Radio 357 known for her long-term association with Polish Radio Katowice, will talk to the creators and heroes of these films.
This project is jointly organized by Silesia Film Institution and the Kieślowski Film School. The event will culminate in activities undertaken by the Silesia Film Institution as part of the “Year of Craftsmanship in the Silesian Voivodeship,” established for 2022 by the Silesian Voivodeship Assembly. It aims to preserve the memory of traditional craft professions, present disappearing professions, and introduce new ones related to new technologies.
The film "Vyraj" (2020), directed by Agnieszka Nowosielska and produced at the Kieślowski Film School, has received a Special Mention at the International Amity Short Film Festival. A jury chaired by Ebru Ceylan granted the award. Ceylan is a renowned screenwriter and actress known for her contributions to films such as "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia," "Winter Sleep," and "Climates,” all of which are directed by acclaimed Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan. The jury also included Akzholtoy Bekbolotov, Hande Soral, Igor Ivanov Izi, and Murat Tirpan.
The 5th edition of the International Amity Short Film Festival took place on December 22–25, 2022, in Istanbul, Turkey. The festival shares with the audience all kinds of film forms that focus on friendship. The 5th edition of the International Amity Short Film Festival was dedicated to the memory of the esteemed Turkish poet and singer Neşet Ertaş.
