Smart7 Award for "It's Not My Film"!
"It's Not My Film", a feature debut by Maria Zbąska, received the award for the best film in the international Smart7 Competition, organised by seven European festivals. The winners of the competition were announced during the closing gala of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece.
The competition features seven films curated by representatives from the Kino Pavasaris IFF (Lithuania), IndieLisboa IFF (Portugal), FILMADRID (Spain), Transilvania IFF (Romania), New Horizons IFF (Poland), Reykjavik IFF (Iceland), and Thessaloniki IFF (Greece). The seven competing films started their journey in Vilnius in March, passed through Lisbon, Madrid, Cluj-Napoca, Wrocław, and Reykjavik. The winner was chosen by an international young jury at the closing film festival in Thessaloniki.
Smart7 Award is the another success of Maria Zbąska's debut, previously awarded at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia (Golden Claw Award) and at the CinEast Festival in Luxembourg (Young Talents Award). The producer of „It’s Not My Film” is Inga Kruk (HI Movies). IKH Pictures Promotion handles international sales and promotion of the film.
"Kaytek the Wizard" awarded in Tokyo
"Kajtek the Wizard" by Magdalena Łazarkiewicz was awarded the Grand Prix at the 31st Kineko International Film Festival, which ended on November 5 in Tokyo.
Every child wants to have magical powers. But what if the dream comes true? Kaytek, a teenage boy with a rowdy nature, grows up with his dad and grandmother. One day, the class prankster discovers he has supernatural abilities. This unusual talent, combined with the boy's unruly character, means a lot of trouble, not only for the school but also for the whole town. The boy's magical powers take control of his life and from now on, he deals with the disliked teachers and the entire school community, gaining popularity and fame among his classmates. But things get complicated when the forces of good and evil start to compete for the boy gifted with magical abilities. Which side will the young wizard choose?
The Kineko Festival is one of the most important events dedicated to films for children and teenagers. This year's edition took place from October 31 to November 5. This is another international festival whose program includes a film by Magdalena Łazarkiewicz. Previously, the film took part in, among others, in SCHLiNGEL International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience and Zurich Film Festival.
The producers of "Kajtek Czarodziej" are Sylwester Banaszkiewicz and Marcin Kurek (MediaBrigade). IKH Pictures Promotion handles the festival distribution of the film.
"It's Not My Film" awarded at CinEast Festival
"It's Not My Film" by Maria Zbąska received the Young Talents Award at the 17th Central and Eastern European Film Festival Cineast in Luxembourg, which ended on October 20.
Wanda and Janek's love story unfolds after the 'happily ever after’ ends. To revive their long-term relationship and overcome a constant crisis they decide to embark on a winter journey along the Polish Baltic coast. This make it-or-break it adventure will test their limits of love in a story filled with humor, touching moments, and unexpected twists.
This is another award for Maria Zbąska's feature debut. At the end of September, the film received the Golden Claw Award at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia.
The producer of "It's Not My Film" is Inga Kruk (HI Movies). IKH Pictures Promotion is responsible for international sales and promotion of the film.
IKH films in the competitions of the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia
Six films, represented by IKH Pictures Promotion (including two from the sales catalogue), will be presented in the competitions of the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia. The festival, which has been held since 1974, is the most important event for the Polish film industry.
The Main Competition of the festival will include:
Kulej. All That Glitters Isn’t Gold, dir. Xawery Żuławski (World Premiere, represented by IKH Pictures Promotion at festivals)
Simona Kossak, dir. Adrian Panek (festivals catalogue)
People, dir. Maciej Ślesicki, Filip Hillesland (World Premiere, festivals catalogue)
White Courage, dir. Marcin Koszałka (festivals catalogue)
The Perspectives Competition will feature:
It’s Not My Film, dir. Maria Zbąska (sales & festivals)
Where Do We Begin, dir. Monika Majorek (World Premiere, sales & festivals)
The 49th edition of the FPFF will take place from 23 to 29 September in Gdynia. More information on the festival website.
"It's Not My Film" in the Smart7 Competition
It’s Not My Film, the feature-length directing debut of Maria Zbąska, represents Poland in the international Smart7 competition, organised by seven European film festivals.
The competition features seven films curated by representatives from the Kino Pavasaris IFF (Lithuania), IndieLisboa IFF (Portugal), FILMADRID (Spain), Transilvania IFF (Romania), New Horizons IFF (Poland), Reykjavik IFF (Iceland), and Thessaloniki IFF (Greece). The seven competing films started their journey in Vilnius in March, passed through Lisbon, Madrid, Cluj-Napoca, Wrocław, and Reykjavik. The winner will be chosen by an international young jury at the closing film festival in Thessaloniki in November.
“Our relationship reminds me of the charger cable that dog bit. Well… it’s still loading” – says our protagonist – Wanda. It’s not my film is a story that start’s where most of the romantic movies end. We are way past the “they lived happily ever after”. Wanda and Janek love each other, but at the same time they cannot stand each other anymore. Their relationship is going through a constant crisis like most of the long-term relationships. The crisis is not caused by some outstanding event – it’s more of a mixture between everyday-life and boredom. One day, when they finally hit a wall they decide – let’s take a walking trip along Polish Baltic coast. Strict rules – no phones, no whining – just the two of us. If they manage to obey the rules, they will stay together forever but if they fail – they part ways. We accompany them in their funny, touching and sometimes thrilling make it or break it winter journey along the coast.
It’s Not My Film is produced by Inga Kruk (HI Movies). The film’s international sales and distribution at festivals are handled by IKH Pictues Promotion.