All films will have English subtitles (even if some trailers below do not). Audio in all films is in Polish, unless indicated otherwise.
All films will be screened at AFS Cinema.
FEATURE FILMS & DOCUMENTARIES
THE PROMISED LAND / ZIEMIA OBIECANA
Screening time: Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 pm
2h 59 min I Drama I 1975
Director: Andrzej Wajda
Screenplay: Stanisław Reymont, Andrzej Wajda
Cinematography: Wacław Dybowski, Edward Kłosiński, Witold Sobocinski
Editing: Zofia Dwornik, Halina Prugar
Music: Wojciech Kilar
Cast: Daniel Olbrychski, Wojciech Pszoniak, Andrzej Seweryn
Synopsis: Set in the smoke-choked, booming industrial hub of late 19th-century Łódź, Andrzej Wajda’s Academy Award-nominated masterpiece is a sprawling, sensory-rich epic of untamed early capitalism. The narrative follows an unlikely trio of ambitious friends—Karol, a cynical Polish aristocrat; Max, a German factory heir; and Moryc, a shrewd Jewish businessman. Banding together to construct a massive textile mill, they dive headfirst into a cutthroat world where fortune favors the ruthless. As their empire rises, the three systematically shed their morals, heritages, and loyalties, culminating in a devastating act of sabotage that forces a stark choice between human decency and absolute corporate dominance. Masterfully restored, this landmark of Polish cinema remains a fierce, visual tour de force and a timeless critique of unbridled greed.
Awards & Nominations:
1975 Nominee Oscar - Best Foreign Language Film - Academy Awards
1977 Winner Golden India Catalina - Best Director - Cartagena Film Festival
1975 Winner Gold Hugo - Best Feature Film - Chicago International Film Festival
KOŚCIUSZKO: A MAN BEFORE HIS TIME
Screening time: Friday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 pm
54 min I Documentary I 2014
Director: Alex Storozynski
Screenplay: Alex Storozynski
Cinematography: Ed Maroney
Editing: Steven Meyer
Music: David Van Tieghem
Cast: Eric Bembenek, John Koopman, Bill Robling, Steve Edenbo, Magda Mazurek, Brigadier General Theodore Martin, Dr. Zbignew Brzezinski, Prof. James Pula
Synopsis: TBD
Awards & Nominations:
20
THE DOLL / LALKA
Screening time: Friday, Nov. 6 at 8:50 pm
2h 45 min I Melodrama I 2026
Directors: Wo
Screenplay: Tad
Cinematography: Mi
Music: Krzy
Cast: Zbign
Synopsis: A surre
Awards & Nominations:
197
THE aLTAR BOYS / MINISTRANCI
Screening time: Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2:30 pm
1h 46 min I Comedy-Drama I 2025
Director: Piotr Domalewski
Screenplay: Piotr Domalewski
Cinematography: Piotr Sobociński Jr.
Music: Wojciech Urbański
Cast: Tobiasz Wajda, Bruno Błach-Baar, Mikołaj Juszczyk, Filip Juszczyk, Daria Kalinchuk, Kamila Urzędowska, Tomasz Schuchardt, Sławomir Orzechowski, Artur Paczesny
Synopsis: A group of teenage altar boys, frustrated by the indifferent attitude of adults and the Church towards social injustices, decides to implement their own unconventional plan for moral renewal of their neighborhood. Armed with youthful rebellion and their personal interpretation of the Bible, they set up a wiretap... in the confessional.
Disguised like Zorro and inspired by ambitions akin to Robin Hood, they become judges, helping those in need and punishing sinners. However, their mission turns into a dangerous game as the boys, guided by their idealistic code of honor, begin to walk a fine line between good and evil.
The gritty reality of life in the dodgy suburb blends with a mission straight out of a superhero comic—but instead of capes, the protagonists wear surplices. The Altar Boys is a coming-of-age story about faith and the fight against hypocrisy—told with humor, energy, and a sense of perspective, with a contemporary take on interpreting the New Testament.
The Altar Boys, directed by one of the most talented filmmakers of his generation, Piotr Domalewski (I Never Cry, San Sebastian IFF 2020), received a record-breaking eight awards at the 50th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, including the Grand Prix – Golden Lions for Best Film, as well as awards for Best Screenplay, Best Editing, and Audience Award.
Awards & Nominations:
2026 Winner Audience Award - Polish Film Awards - Best Film
2025 Winner Golden Lions - Polish Film Festival - Best Film
2025 Winner - Polish Film Festival - Best Screenplay
2025 Winner - Polish Film Festival - Best Editing
2025 Winner - Polish Film Festival - Audience Choice Awards - Best Film
2025 Winner Golden Kangaroo - Polish Film Festival - Best Film
2025 Winner Golden Clapper - Radio Gdansk Awards - Best Film
2025 Winner - Award of the Network of Studio and Local Cinemas - Best Film
THE GODMOTHER OF SILICON VALLEY
Screening time: Saturday, Nov. 7 at 4:30 pm
37 min I Documentary I 2026
Director: Lukasz Bernas, Maciej Kawecki
Screenplay: —-
Cinematography: Lukasz Bernas
Editing: Lukasz Bernas
Music: Hubert Walkowski
Cast: Maciej Kawecki, Esther Wojcicki
Synopsis: TBD
THE ASSISTANT / CZŁOWIEK DO WSZYSTKIEGO
Screening time: Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:15 pm
2h 4 min I Drama I 2025
Director: Anna Sasnal, Wilhelm Sasnal
Screenplay: Anna Sasnal, Wilhelm Sasnal, Robert Walser
Cinematography: Wilhelm Sasnal
Editing: Aleksandra Gowin
Music: Ste
Cast: Juliusz Chrzastowski, Roman Gancarczyk, Ewa Kolasinska
Synopsis: A qu
Awards & Nominations:
2025 Nominee - International Film Festival Rotterdam - Big Screen Award
PICASSO’S MERMAID / SYRENKA PICASSA
Screening time: Saturday, Nov. 7 at 9:50 pm
1 hr 35 min I Comedy, Drama I 2026
Director: Janusz Zaorski
Screenplay: Roman Jarosz
Cinematography: Łukasz Gutt
Editing:
Music: Paweł Stolarczyk
Cast: Andrzej Seweryn, Maciej Musial, Beata Pozniak
Synopsis: TBD
Awards & Nominations:
2026 Nominee Golden Lions - Polish Film Festival - Best Film
MEMORIES OF INSIGNIFICANCE / ZAPISKI śMIERTELNIKA
Screening time: Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2:30 pm
1 hr 34 min I Drama I 2025
Director: Maciej Zak
Screenplay: Maciej Zak
Cinematography: Jackub Stolecki
Editing: Piotr Kmiecik, Wojciech Mrówczynski
Music: Tomasz Gassowski
Cast: Ireneusz Czop, Magdalena Boczarska, Magdalena Popławska, Marian Dziedziel, Agata Turkot, Paweł Tomaszewski
Synopsis:: TBD
Awards & Nominations:
202
COVENANT OF BLOOD: THE LAST SOLDIERS OF wORLD WAR 2
Screening time: Sunday, Nov. 8 at 4:20 pm
40 min I Documentary I 2025
Director: Patrick Ney, Stefan Tompson
Screenplay: Patrick Ney, Stefan Tompson
Cinematography: Daniel Rusin, Michał Grabowski, Jan Tompson
Editing: Michał Tuz
Music: Mark Nowakowski
Cast: Patrick Ney, Stefan Tompson, Aleksandra Duda, Dagmara Leszkowicz
Synopsis: At the end of World War II, Polish freedom fighters - victors against Nazism - faced a new enemy: Soviet-imposed communism. Refusing to surrender, hide, or collaborate, they waged a desperate, underground war for Poland's true independence. Tortured, hunted, and repressed, these last soldiers remained unbroken in their oath of blood. Their impossible struggle helped pave the way for Poland's eventual freedom. A never-before-told story in documentary form.
Awards & Nominations:
Official Selection - HISTORY - International Film Festival Austria 2026
Official Selection - NNW International Film Festival 2026
THROUGH THE WALL / PRZEZ ŚCIANĘ
Screening time: Sunday, Nov. 8 at 5:40 pm
2h I Melodrama I 2026
Director: Maciej Sobieszczanski
Screenplay: Maciej Sobieszczanski
Cinematography: Jolanta Dylewska
Editing: Nikodem Chabior
Sound: Tomasz Wieczorek
Cast: Maria Dębska, Wieslawa Pajdak
Synopsis: TBD
NO GHOSTS ON GOOD STREET / NIE MA DUCHÓW W MIESZKANIU NA DOBREJ
Screening time: Sunday, Nov. 8 at 8:35 pm
1h 30 min I Drama I 2026
Director: Emi Buchwald
Screenplay: Emi Buchwald, Karol Marczak
Cinematography: Tomasz Gajewski
Editing: Anna Luka
Music: Katarzyna Gawlik, Jerzy Rogiewicz
Cast: Bartłomiej Deklewa, Izabella Dudziak, Tymoteusz Rozynek
Synopsis: Four siblings on the verge of adulthood try to build their independent lives without losing the bonds that connect them. The youngest, Benek, struggles with rejection from his older brother Franek, who was once his best friend. Haunted by a malicious apparition known as The Worror, Benek is unable to sleep. Franek isolates himself from his family while dealing with problems with his girlfriend, drugs, and himself. His condition deeply worries his twin sister, Nastka, who is also searching for love. Jana, the eldest, is working on an art project she hopes will bring relief to both herself and her siblings.
Awards & Nominations:
2025 Winner - Polish Film Festival - Best Director
2025 Winner - Polish Film Festival - Best Supporting Actress
2025 Winner - Polish Film Festival - Journalists Award - Best Film
2025 Winner - Polish Film Festival - Casting Director Award
2025 Winner - Polish Film Festival - Golden Claw
2025 Winner - Polish Film Festival - Onet Award
