The official inauguration of the 15th NNW International Film Festival took place in Gdynia on the evening of Wednesday 27 September. There were tears of emotion, thunderous applause for the creators of the festival films and witnesses to history, as well as a ceremonial screening of “The Pilecki Report” with the participation of the filmmakers. Guests of honour included “Cursed Miss” Stanisława Kociełowicz a.k.a “Iskierka” and the youngest soldier of General Anders, Captain Krzysztof Flizak.

The Festival includes more than 150 film screenings, 250 accompanying events, including debates, meetings with witnesses of history and filmmakers from all over the world.

Japanese historical cinema, American dreams, Finnish athletes, echoes of war in the former Yugoslavia, Rotmistrz Pilecki, the blessed Ulma family or the mysteries of the German forest are just some of the topics presented during the Festival.

Both the debate and the films will also touch on topics such as the wartime fate of women and their role in the fight for freedom or the role of the Polish community in regaining independence.

The Festival will feature a large representation of political émigrés, including traveller Jerzy Majcherczyk, who will talk about conquering the world’s deepest Colca Canyon and Peruvian manifestations in support of Solidarity. The philosopher and traveller Marek Kaminski will also be a guest at the Festival. Meanwhile, among the numerous international meetings, a discussion will be held on how to tell the world about totalitarianism.

The 15th NNW Film Festival is held under the national auspices of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda; the organisers of the festival are the Scene of Culture Association and the City of Gdynia; the general partner of the 15th NNW Festival is ENERGA from the ORLEN Group.

The festival was co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Funds for the Promotion of Culture and is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.

Adrian Andrzejewski