The 2025 edition of Polish Days took place from 20 to 22 July in Wrocław, as part of the 25th New Horizons International Film Festival. Co-organised by the Polish Film Institute, the flagship industry event wrapped with an awards ceremony led by industry head Weronika Czołnowska and festival director Marcin Pieńkowski. Over three days, nearly 250 guests from Poland and abroad attended closed screenings and pitch presentations, discovering the newest Polish projects across all stages of production, from completed features and excerpts in post-production to early development projects (see the news).

Radioamateur, the new comedy-drama by Tomasz Habowski (Songs About Love [+lire aussi :
critique
fiche film]), was awarded the Wrocław Feature Film Studio Award, which includes production and post-production services worth 100,000 PLN (€23,500). The film centres on Krzysztof, a lonely widower and retired factory worker whose life is upended after the sudden death of his beloved dog. Fleeing to a decaying post-Soviet sanatorium, he isolates himself from his daughter and finds solace in an old radio set, until he meets Małgorzata, a vibrant woman who reintroduces him to joy, defiance, and connection. The project is scheduled to enter into production in 2025.

The Worst Days of My Life, directed by Natasza Parzymies, received both the PFX Postproduction Award, covering image post-production services worth €10,000, and a co-production contribution to sound post-production valued at 75,000 PLN (€17,600) from No Problemo Music. A deeply personal coming-of-age drama, the film follows Kora, a 25-year-old woman navigating the chaotic transition into adulthood over five years, culminating on her 30th birthday. Written and shot in real time, the project blends fiction and documentary to portray the emotional rhythms of Gen Z with honesty, humour and urgency. The film is scheduled to finish production in 2027.

No Problemo Music also rewarded Exotic, the debut feature by Sonja Orlewicz-Zakrzewska, with an Audio Network music license. The drama follows 30-year-old Mila who attends an exotic pole dance camp alone after her friend cancels on her. Surrounded by strangers and grappling with self-doubt and a toxic relationship, she slowly begins to reconnect with herself in a space that becomes one of transformation and empowerment. The film is inspired by the director’s own experience.

The Crack, the debut feature by Katarzyna Iskra, was honoured with the Fixafilm Postproduction Award, offering image post-production services worth 30,000 PLN (€7,000). The psychological drama follows an aspiring pianist who retreats to a remote mountain village after a breakdown triggered by disturbing auditory hallucinations. There, she reconnects with a childhood friend who leads a girls’ choir and has a mysterious, healing relationship with sound.

Witch, the upcoming historical drama by Piotr Domalewski (I Never Cry [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
interview : Piotr Domalewski
fiche film]), was granted the ORKA Postproduction Award, also valued at 30,000 PLN (€7,000). The film is inspired by the true story of Barbara Zdunk, the last woman in Europe burned at the stake. Set in early 19th-century Reszel, the story follows a poor servant wrongfully accused of arson, as the town’s mayor manipulates justice to appease a fearful, vengeful community.

Just before Polish Days, the 16th edition of New Horizons Studio+ was held from 17 to 20 July in collaboration with Creative Europe Desk Poland. The workshop and networking programme supports emerging European filmmakers – directors and producers working on their first or second feature – by offering expert-led lectures, consultancy and industry exposure (see the news).

The London Film Academy Award was presented to Romanian project Sunburnt Winter, directed by Vlad Popa. The prize includes script consultancy services provided by the London Film Academy. Additionally, the Polish Producers Guild Award, which offers mentorship from an experienced member of the Guild, went to the team behind Polish project Komputer, directed by Tomasz Wróbel. Finally, the Connecting Cottbus Award, which grants accreditation to participate in CocoLab – the East-West co-production market’s development platform – was handed to Mariko Bobrik’s project Vegan Vampire.

The full winners’ list from Polish Days and New Horizons Studio+ 2025 is as follows:

Polish Days

Wrocław Feature Film Studio Award
Radioamateur – Tomasz Habowski
Producer: Marta Szarzyńska (Watchout Studio)

PFX Postproduction Award
The Worst Days of My Life – Natasza Parzymies
Producer: Agnieszka Dziedzic (Koi Studio)

No Problemo Music Awards
The Worst Days of My Life – Natasza Parzymies

Exotic – Sonja Orlewicz-Zakrzewska
Producers: Magdalena Sztorc, Anna Zajączkowska (Mozaika Films)

Fixafilm Postproduction Award
The Crack – Katarzyna Iskra
Producer: Dorota Schleiss (ASF Studio)

ORKA Postproduction Award
Witch – Piotr Domalewski
Producers: Dariusz Jabłoński, Violetta Kamińska, Izabela Wójcik (Message Film)

New Horizons Studio+

London Film Academy Award
Sunburnt Winter – Vlad Popa (Romania)
Producer: Cătălina Pistol

Polish Producers Guild Award
Komputer – Tomasz Wróbel
Producer: Julia Jendrysik

Connecting Cottbus Award
Vegan Vampire – Mariko Bobrik
Producer: Karolina Śmigiel