The 16th edition of the Mastercard OFF CAMERA is up and running!

Announcement of the main competitions, interview with John Malkovich and the world premiere of Dominion, and much more ahead of us. The celebration of independent cinema in Krakow has begun!

The Opening Gala, held on 28th April, was hosted by Maciej Rock and Maciej Dowbor.

What we have been doing together for the 16 years is important. Especially in these times, so difficult for culture, we want to show that we can start on a high note and we make a post-pandemic return to the game – said Szymon Miszczak, the Festival Director.

The two main festival competitions have been announced – the Polish Feature Film Competition, in which ten films compete for the Dominika Kulczyk and dFlights Award, and the Main Dramatic Competition “Making Way” for the Andrzej Wajda Krakow Film Award.

If I were to point to a common denominator for all the films screened at the Festival, that would be the lesson of empathy and sensitivity that we need so much in our world – beset by problems and conflicts – in which relationship and community building is so important – said Grzegorz Stępniak, the Mastercard OFF CAMERA Artistic DirectorProtagonists of all the films, although they are different from each other in their origin, class, gender, race and sexuality, want to be heard and understood.

The main competitions, 6 festival sections, open-air cinemas – the Festival offers much more than that. The Organizers invite to join in the Storytellers by Storytell section devoted to series productions. There will be meetings held as part of the PRO INDUSTRY by Digital Domain, through which young creators have a chance to enter the film industry.

This year, we take a look at women – said Małgorzata Wasiuk, Brand Strategy and Activation Department Director at BNP Paribas Bank, the sponsor and partner of “Herstories” section. – The Female Voice Award will be presented at the Closing Gala to an exceptional female Polish filmmaker.

There was also an invitation to the Film Village for contests and workshops, as well as interviews with stars carried out by Maciej Rock – Rock ON OFF.

The Opening Gala was furthermore an occasion to honor festival special guest John Malkovich. Robert Piaskowski, Plenipotentiary of the Mayor of Krakow for Culture, together with Szymon Miszczak presented him with the “Against the Current” Award. Malkovich’s handprint will soon be placed in the Krakow Avenue of the Stars. John Malkovich will turn 70 this year.

– Shouldn’t you slow down? – asked journalist and film critic Michał Faciński in a conversation with the guest. – On the contrary, I’m speeding up.

The festival is speeding up too. Already yesterday, cinema lovers had an opportunity to see the first films, including the world premiere of Dominion, directed by Steven Bernstein, with John Malkovich in one of the leading roles.

The Festival will run until 7th May. Join us!

Maria Cipińska

zdjęcie Robert Słuszniak

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