Press Releases:

Produced by Austin Polish Society, the 2025 Austin Polish Film Festival will take place

NOVEMBER 6 – 9, 2025 at AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY CINEMA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 01, 2025

FESTIVAL DATES:              NOVEMBER 6 – 9, 2025

VENUE:                                AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY CINEMA

WEBSITE:                            www.austinpolishfilm.com

MEDIA CONTACT:             Margaret Meub, PR

EMAIL:             info@austinpolishfilm.com

MOBILE: (512) 587-7097

The highly anticipated Austin Polish Film Festival (APFF) returns for its 19th year, solidifying its role as a premier showcase of Polish cinematic talent. Since its launch in 2005, APFF has presented over 480 films, welcomed celebrated Polish filmmakers of both national and international acclaim, and firmly established itself within Austin's bustling film landscape. This year boasts a curated lineup of seven full-feature films, including award-winning dramas, insightful documentaries, and imaginative animation.

One of the festival’s crown jewels is D.K. Welchman’s “The Peasants”, a living canvas of Reymont’s epic prose, awarded the Nobel Prize in 1924. The film features a love triangle inscribed in the circle of nature, with a serene landscape pulsating with the rhythm of Łukasz Rostkowski’s eclectic music. Scheduled for November 8th, audiences will be treated to an intimate Q&A session with Piotr Dominiak, Director of Animation, and a leading actor post-screening.

Another festival highlight is “Scarborn”, the winner of nine awards, including Best Film at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia. It tells the story of Tadeusz Kościuszko returning to Poland with a bold plan to ignite an uprising against the Russians, rallying both Polish nobility and peasants.

“Shreds” is a simple yet poignant story about the unraveling of family bonds, memory, and physical well-being, showing family lives forever changed by Alzheimer’s disease.

Another award-winning film is “Ultima Thule”. Britain’s most isolated island, Foula, serves as the backdrop for 30-year-old Bartek’s (played by Jakub Gierszał) solo journey to find meaning in life.

“Doppelganger, The Double” is a suspense-filled psychological drama with elements of a thriller and a spy movie. It draws inspiration from the true story of a special agent from Cold-War Poland who assumed the identity of a German woman’s son, creating false family ties to launch a successful espionage career. This gripping narrative explores how global politics can devastate the lives of ordinary people.

We are also presenting three documentaries. “Mensch” by Paweł Wysoczański that tells the story of Professor Ludwik Hirszfeld. His remarkable life and extraordinary scientific contributions have left an indelible mark, and they are remembered across countries such as the United States, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, and Serbia. The film “Mensch” was shot in these very locations.

“The Cowboy Capital” by Artur Owczarski is a captivating documentary that explores the vibrant history, unique culture, and enduring values of the small town of Bandera, Texas.

“Zbigniew Seifert. An Interrupted Journey” tells the story of Zbigniew Seifert, a virtuoso and one of the greatest jazz violinists of all time. It traces his journey from his birthplace in Kraków, where he grew up, studied at the Academy of Music, and performed in basement bars and clubs, to his travels across Europe and the United States, where his life was tragically cut short in 1979 at the age of 33.

Film enthusiasts will have the opportunity to cast their votes, leading to the much-anticipated Audience Award for the festival's standout film and documentary. Keep an eye on www.austinpolishfilm.com for more details.

Enhancing the cinematic experience, the festival launches with a Marek Drewnowski piano concert on October 26th at the UT Austin. Marek Drewnowski is a distinguished pianist, who rose to international fame when Leonard Bernstein invited him to perform with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1985. The artist performed at some of the most renowned and prestigious concert halls in Europe, United States and all over the world.

Classical music of Chopin, List, Scarlatti and Bartók, by renown Marek Drewnowski

October 26, 6:00 PM

Music & Recital Hall Building (Recital Studio, MRH room 2.608)

University of Texas at Austin, 2406 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin

From November 7-10, immerse yourself in a cinematic journey as the Austin Film Society

Cinema presents Poland's latest and finest in film.

Discover the magic of Polish cinema. Secure your tickets and explore the full program at

www.austinpolishfilm.com.

ABOUT THE APFF

APFF’s mission is to build cultural bridges between people in Austin and Poland and increase awareness of the cultural diversity of Austin. Our festival guests often meet with students and faculty at local universities. The festival has contributed funds to the Polish Studies Endowment at UT which the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies uses to help fund a study abroad program.

Website: www.austinpolishfilm.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Margaret Meub, PR Email: info@austinpolishfilm.com Phone: (512) 587-7097