Call for entries to the 49^th PFF

Call for entries for films that will compete in September for the main awards of the 49^th Polish Film Festival has been launched. This year, the filmmakers will compete in three categories: the Main Competition, the Short Film Competition and the debuting Perspectives Competition.

The call runs until 31^st May 2024. Eligible for all competitions are feature films produced between 1^st September 2023 and 30^th August 2024, which have not been submitted to the Festival’s previous editions.

The greatest novelty in this year’s programme is the Perspectives Competition, as a replacement for the Microbudget Film Competition. – I see Gdynia as an open, friendly and involving festival. In such a spirit we’ve created the Perspectives Competition which will allow a wider presentation of the new Polish cinema at the Festival ­– says Joanna Łapińska, the Artistic Director of the Festival. In accordance with the Rules and Regulations, the debuting section will comprise 8 films submitted to the festival and not qualified for the Main Competition. These films will be selected by the Artistic Director. The qualified titles will compete for the Sapphire Lions award and PLN 50,000. – I do very much want this competition open up the horizon for new Polish cinema and offer the filmmakers real opportunities – explains Łapińska. Therefore, apart from the Sapphire Lions, a selected filmmaker will be granted an Award for an outstanding artistic contribution. The recipient of such an award can be a composer, cinematographer or another crew member, whose contribution will be reflected in the final form of the film.

Starting this year, two other awards: for directing debut or second film and the “Golden Claw”, following the example of foreign festivals, will be granted in the cross-section system – without breakdown by separate competitions. Owing to that solution films from the Main Competition and the Perspectives Competition will have more equal chances, which will have an effect on the situation of debutants and titles outside the mainstream. – I hope these changes will allow for much fuller presentation of Polish cinema in Gdynia, and the Perspectives Competition will become a new important address on the festival map – adds Joanna Łapińska.

Detailed rules of submissions and technical issues:

• RULES FOR SUBMITTING FILMS TO THE 49th PFF
• TECHNICAL APPENDIX TO THE RULES FOR SUBMITTING FILMS
• THE PARTIES’ OBLIGATIONS
• REGISTRATION FORM
• RULES AND REGULATIONS

Further information on the selection may be obtained by e-mail zgloszenia@festiwalgdynia.pl or by telephone 58 688 87 90.

The 49^th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia will take place on 23^rd–28^th September 2024.