It has begun! The 14th International Festival of Independent Cinema Mastercard OFF CAMERA was officially opened! Red carpet, concert and a screening of Lumière Brothers’ film–there were plenty of surprises at the opening gala. But beware - more are yet to come!
The gala was opened by the short film of Lumière Brothers with live music by Michał Salamon. The pianist and composer played throughout the ceremony, accompanying the host - Marcin Prokop, and gave a concert at the end.
The Festival was officially opened by Robert Piaskowski on behalf of the Mayor of the City of Krakow. This festival is a city. This is Krakow. For 125 years – he said during the opening, referring to the first film screenings. – This is the courage which you have not only as organizers, but also as programmers, in the world where diversity of art and points of view has been discriminated. This diversity is visible in each section proposed to the audience. Both the Main Competition films and the Polish Feature Film Competition films have been selected to show the widest possible range of human relationships, problems, and behavior.
The Festival will also take place on-line, which means we are going hybrid this year. A large number of viewers will join us watching movies on Player, on PLAYKRAKOW. This one is a very important segment for us. Soon, young debuting filmmakers will arrive in Krakow, and the competition for the Krakow Film Award will begin. Tomasz Wasilewski, the head of the jury and winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, together with the international jury will select the best film and the best director. In the Polish Feature Film Competition ten directors and ten producers will compete for PLN 100,000 funded by Kulczyk Productions. At the same time, we have brought films to Krakow, and you would not have seen 90% of these films if it had not been for Mastercard OFF CAMERA, because they simply would not have made it to Krakow, but thanks to our programmers they are right here in Krakow - said Szymon Miszczak, the Festival Director during the opening gala.
Again, a few years ago we had a series section. Now thanks to the collaboration with Discoveries group SERIALCON it is nearly a separate event at the Festival. We will also have a Film City at Szczepanski Square, where Olivier Janiak will interview his guests. There will also be the OFF STAGE, industry events and, above all, five outdoor cinemas, because we want the residents of this city, which has been one of those Polish cities really hard hit by the pandemic, to enjoy being together again while being safe- continued Szymon Miszczak.
Krakow will be shining with a hundred film stars over the next few days, do not wait and join us!