Aug 23rd (Sun) 12:00～ @JMS ASTER PLAZA Medium Hall
The Polish School of Animation project was initiated on the occasion of the Polish
Presidency 2011 and since then we have presented it during animation and short film
festivals in 42 countries.
The project aims to popularize Polish animation around the world, illustrating various
trends, developments and changes taking place in this field over the last 70 years.
The aim of the project is also to draw attention to our young artists, to show the huge
difference that currently prevails in the animation industry compared to the last
century, where men dominated. It emphasizes the huge role of women in the world of
animation and the colossal difference in subject matter and gender proportions since
the times of the People's Republic of Poland. Currently, it is mainly women artists,
including: Anita Kwiatkowska Naqvi, Marta Pajek, Karolina Specht, Marta Magnuska,
Paulina Ziółkowska, who create the recipient's sensitivity to the world. In their films,
there are completely different topics strongly related to women's lives, the female
body, as well as physiological and physical changes that occur in it during life (e.g.
puberty, sexual experiences, pregnancy, aging). The contemporary wave of films
made by women, after years of male dominance in the industry, has brought a
pleasant breath of fresh air to Polish animation.
Organizer: Fundacja Promocji Kultury Artystycznej, Filmowej i Audiowizualnej Etiuda&Anima (International Film Festival Etiuda&Anima)
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute
*Please note that Ms. Katarzyna Surmacz, who was scheduled to appear, is unfortunately unable to travel to Japan due to unforeseen circumstances. We ask for your understanding. (Updated August 13)
Guest: Paulina Ziółkowska
The story of a man born without shape. Constant deformations and being crammed into other people’s molds make him feel rebellious. Can one live completely detached from others, from reality? Who and what decides who we ultimately are?
Born in 1991, a graduate of animation at the department of Photography & Television Production of Lodz Film School. Apart from award-winning The Incredibly Elastic Man, she also made animations: Don’t lose your head (2015), Beside Oneself (2016), Squaring the Circle (2018). Laureate of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Award for her outstanding achievements granted to students of Polish artistic schools.
Mother and son are changing places and roles constantly, at times the mother is an adult, sometimes the son matures and takes care of the suddenly childish mother. The arrangement works fine until the boy decides to escape from the skirt of the overprotective mother and start an independent life. Golden Jabberwocky – Grand Prix ANIMA competition – IFF Etiuda&Anima 2017.
Born in 1988 – a polish film director, 2D Animator and illustrator. She studied animation at Lodz Film School in Poland and at Filmuniversity Babelsberg. Her debut film Oh Mother!(2017) was screened in many festivals worldwide, won many prizes. Her next film Bless you!(2018) amongst others has won a special mention at 68th Berlinale and a special mention at AnimaFest in Zagreb. Her films have been shown at festivals like: Clermont-Ferrand, Annecy, IFF Etiuda&Anima, Krakowski Festiwal Filmowy, Melbourne IFF, Ottawa IAF, Stuttgart.
A film originating from the unique experience of femininity. The power of fertility becomes the source of both distressing and beautiful experience. A visually convincing perception of the surprising and uncontrollable transformations of a woman’s body.
Born in 1986 in Krakow, animation graduate and PhD student at Lodz Film School, Poland. In her short films she takes a novel approach to traditional animation techniques, using unusual materials to create hypnotising, poetic worlds. Her films gained worldwide recognition, including the award for the best diploma film in Annecy for “Ab ovo”. Co-founder of LeLe Production.
An ominous ticking sound triggers a massive explosion. A swarm of objects and figures scatters unforgivably. In the aftermath, only a few souls remain, including an elegant elderly woman. Wandering deserted city streets, the tired, stoic woman painfully recalls what was and what could have been. As a flood slowly swallows the city, she shares a final moment of grieving beauty.
Born in 1982. Film director, graphic artist. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, she studied at the Animated Film Studio headed by Jerzy Kucia. She also participated in a traineeship under the tutorship of Priit Pärn at the Turku Arts Academy in Finland. She has directed short animations, such as After Apples (2004) and Behind the Wall (2005), and an award-winning film Sleepincord (2011). The latest part of her triptych Impossible Figures and Other Stories III was qualified for the short film competition at the Cannes 2018 festival.
A child is born. A daughter becomes a mother. The mother becomes a grandmother. The grand-mother .... she just wants to die. A generation change. The family members have to try walking in someone else’s shoes, assume new roles. But is it really so? Is it just a step to take or an invitation to a strange dance of generations? One step forward, two steps back so as not to turn into your own mother.
Born in 1988 – a polish film director, 2D Animator and illustrator. She studied animation at Lodz Film School in Poland and at Filmuniversity Babelsberg. Her debut film Oh Mother!(2017) was screened in many festivals worldwide, won many prizes. Her next film Bless you!(2018) amongst others has won a special mention at 68th Berlinale and a special mention at AnimaFest in Zagreb. Her films have been shown at festivals like: Clermont-Ferrand, Annecy, IFF Etiuda&Anima, Krakowski Festiwal Filmowy, Melbourne IFF, Ottawa IAF, Stuttgart.
The woman and the man are in a room, a gecko sits in a terrarium, several flies are circling a lamp. Gradually we find more and more dependencies and analogies between their activities and observed elements as the rhythm of their universes accelerates. The microcosms shown seem to interact rhythmically and belong to some cosmic order.
An animator, director and illustrator. She graduated from the Faculty of Graphics and Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź in editorial design and illustration. Participated in the student exchange programs with Universidade de Belas-Artes in Lisbon and Animationinstitut Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg in Ludwigsburg. Her former short films Foreign Body and The Other screened at the most prestigious festivals worldwide including Cannes, Annecy IAFF and Clermont Ferrand ISFF to list just a few.
It is a story about pedantic animator that lives a routine life, only moving between home and work. Slowly sinking into apathy, she began separating herself from the outside world. Her life turns upside down when she discovers a picture of sheep, that in a series of absurd events, eventually draws her out of stagnation. It’s a symbolic story about facing your fears and getting out of comfort zone, loosely inspired by Haruki Murakami’s book Wild Sheep Chase.
Born (1998) in Radom, Poland. Graduate (2023) of Animation Studio led by Dr. Przemysław Adamski at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Participant (2022) of Animated in Poland with animation SHEEP OUTat the production stage. Animator and director.
Animation tells the story of Maria, trapped under the control of a possessive mother. Years of suppressed anger lead the protagonist toward an inner and physical metamorphosis – a slow immersion that becomes a metaphor for liberation and self-acceptance. The film is a moving parable about guilt and forgiveness, crafted in a visually evocative and emotionally charged style.
Director of live action, animated films and theater director. In 2009 graduated with a master degree from the Łódź Film School, the Direction of Photography Department, specialization: Animation and Special Effects. From November 2006 to March 2007 she was granted a scholarship at the Animation Department of l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Visuels de La Cambre in Brussels. Laureate of international awards for animated films: Cosmos, Rivers, Bobo's Metamorphoses.
A few exercises to procrastinate better, faster and more efficient.
Born in 1988 – a polish film director, 2D Animator and illustrator. She studied animation at Lodz Film School in Poland and at Filmuniversity Babelsberg. Her debut film Oh Mother!(2017) was screened in many festivals worldwide, won many prizes. Her next film Bless you!(2018) amongst others has won a special mention at 68th Berlinale and a special mention at AnimaFest in Zagreb. Her films have been shown at festivals like: Clermont-Ferrand, Annecy, IFF Etiuda&Anima, Krakowski Festiwal Filmowy, Melbourne IFF, Ottawa IAF, Stuttgart.