Films from Gdynia at the 50^th PFF

The Films from Gdynia section aims to cultivate mutual relations between the Tenth Muse and the city that hosts the festival This out–of-competitive selection consists of titles that have a distinctive local element: they either concern Gdynia and its inhabitants, are made by local producers, or are directed by Gdynia filmmakers.

Films from Gdynia is a section that has been emphasising the strong connection between the city of Gdynia and cinema for years. The film has become a permanent part of the tissue of the City, its history and culture – says Agata Kozierańska-Burda, acting Director of the Festival.

This year’s Films from Gdynia section features 3 titles: Rome, the Cabaret. Behind The Scenes of the Quo Vadis Musical directed by Agata Hering, a documentary exploring the creation of the musical Quo Vadis, that takes viewers behind the scenes of the Danuta Baduszkowa Musical Theatre in Gdynia; The Exam, directed by Piotr Bańkowski about Damian who is preparing a recording for an acting school entrance exam and struggles with technical issues, environmental distractions, and an obsessive need for perfection; and Zmęczone directed by Elżbieta Benkowska, a comedy drama about three female employees of the administration, promotion and education department of a provincial theatre, who decide to write and stage a play in protest against the mobbing they experience from the incompetent artistic management.

For both Leszek Kopeć, who previously supervised this section, and for me, the presence of films that are so strongly associated with Gdynia is of particular importance. I am glad that this year’s titles will allow those attending the Festival to better understand the city that is home to this most important event for Polish cinema in the country – comments Joanna Łapińska, the Artistic Director of the Festival.

List of Films from Gdynia:
Rome, the Cabaret. Behind The Scenes of the Quo Vadis Musical, directed by Agata Hering. After the screening, a meeting with the filmmakers
The Exam, directed by Piotr Bańkowski. After the screening, a meeting with the director, producer Tomasz Czajkowski and cinematographer Jakub Wadecki
Zmęczone, directed by Elżbieta Benkowska. After the screening, a meeting with the director and the management of the Documentary and Feature Film Studios.

The 50^th Polish Film Festival will take place from 22^nd to 27^th September 2025 in Gdynia. The Festival is produced by the Pomeranian Film Foundation in Gdynia.