Warsaw Film Festival

Warsaw Film Festival (Warszawski Festiwal Filmowy; WFF), also known as Warsaw International Film Festival, is an annual international film festival held every October in Warsaw, Poland.

History


The festival has been held every year since 1985.

In 2008, it was recognised by FIAPF as an international competitive film festival.


 * Timeline
 * 1985 – Film Discussion Club "Hybrydy" founds the festival, originally named Warsaw Film Week. Creator Roman Gutek becomes its first director
 * 1991 – Stefan Laudyn becomes new director of the festival and name Warsaw Film Week changes to Warsaw Film Festival
 * 1995 – organised by Warsaw Film Foundation for the first time
 * 2000 – festival gets accreditation from FIAPF and changes its name to Warsaw International Film Festival.
 * 2005 – for the first time, FIAPF jury gives special awards during Warsaw International Film Festival
 * 2008 – FIAPF adds Warsaw Film Festival to its list of international festivals, accredited as a competitive film festival specialised in first and second features and films from Central and Eastern Europe

Description
The festival is host to the International Federation of Film Critics awards for enterprising filmmaking in Central Europe and beyond.

Programmes
The programme consists of the following sections:
 * The International Competition – premiering competition for international features
 * 1–2 Competition – for 1st and 2nd feature films
 * Free Spirit Competition – competition for independent, innovative, rebellious feature length fiction and documentary films from all over the world.
 * Documentary Competition
 * Shorts Competition – For narrative, documentary and animated shorts (up to 40 minutes) from all over the world. Winners are Academy Awards eligible.
 * Special Screenings – non competitive section dedicated to acclaimed filmmakers from all over the world
 * Discoveries
 * Family Cinema Weekend

All the films presented, regardless of the section (competitive or non-competitive), are eligible for the Audience Award.

Juries

 * International Competition Jury
 * The Competition 1–2 Jury
 * Free Spirit Competition Jury
 * Documentary Competition Jury
 * Shorts Competition Jury
 * Jury FIPRESCI
 * Jury NETPAC
 * Ecumenical jury – by SIGNIS

International Competition winners

 * Grand Prix