After Gdynia: four Polish films to keep on your radar

The Polish Film Festival in Gdynia published its awards on Saturday, 26 September. The main prize, the Golden Lions, goes to Przez ścianę by Maciej Sobieszczański. For French-speaking readers keen to discover Polish cinema, this selection provides pointers to keep beyond the weekend.

Four titles to note
Przez ścianę — Maciej Sobieszczański. The Golden Lions winner is the first title to watch for in upcoming programmes.

Powiedz mi, co czujesz — Łukasz Ronduda. The film receives the Silver Lions, the other major distinction in the main competition.

Ojczyzna — Paweł Pawlikowski. Its filmmaker receives the directing award.

Dobry chłopiec — Jan Komasa. The audience award adds another perspective: the choice of festival viewers.

These distinctions are not interchangeable: best film, direction and the audience vote represent different perspectives. This list is an introduction to the awards, not a personal ranking of films we claim to have all watched.

A tribute to editing
The festival also honours Halina Prugar-Ketling with the Platinum Lions for her career. Its official profile of the editor recalls her collaboration with Andrzej Wajda, including Danton. For French audiences, that title offers a tangible connection to a profession often less visible than directing or acting.

Honouring an editor reminds us that a film also takes shape through its cuts, rhythm and the length of its silences. It invites us to look at works differently, beyond the name at the top of the poster.

How can you explore further?
Keep the exact Polish titles for your searches: they make films easier to identify when international or French titles differ. Before booking a screening in Poland, check the film’s language and the subtitles with the cinema.

An award in Gdynia does not automatically mean a film is already available in France or on a streaming platform. We do not announce any unconfirmed French release dates here. Start with the festival catalogue, then announcements from distributors and cinemas.

Original AI-generated illustration: a projector and a maritime landscape inspired by Gdynia. No film imagery or festival photograph is reproduced.