The first the KF Washington Polish Film Festival will be held from May 10 to 12, 2024, at the Landmark E Street Cinema in central Washington, D.C., announced Barbara Bernhardt, Vice President and Washington Director of the Kosciuszko Foundation (KF). Eight newly released feature films and eight shorts will be showcased as part of the three-day competition.

"Wajda's Ashes and Diamonds, Polanski's Knife in the Water, and Kieslowski's Double Life of Veronique were recognized as masterpieces, but nothing prepared us for the ripening and maturing of today's Polish cinema," said Martin Kabat, Chair of the Festival's Board of Directors. 

“Filmmakers like Agnieszka Holland (Europa Europa, Green Border), Jerzy Skolimowski (EO), Pawel Pawlikowski (Ida, Cold War), and Jan Komasa (Corpus Christi, Anniversary) continue to turn out powerful and challenging feature films,” Kabat added. 

The objective of the WPFF is to bring the latest films of Poland's leading and emerging filmmakers to Washington-area audiences. To that end, Kabat and some of the Festival's Board members attended the 48th Gdynia Film Festival in Poland, where 16 new Polish films were released to great acclaim.  Out of those, the Board selected films for the WPFF. 

Additionally, Barbara Bernhardt announced that two Academy Award-nominated filmmakers will collaborate with the Festival. Agnieszka Holland will serve as the Festival's Honorary Patron, while Jan Komasa will chair the Jury. 

All selected films are in Polish with English subtitles. 

The WPFF is organized by the Kosciuszko Foundation, one of the oldest and largest Polish American organizations in the country. It serves to facilitate and promote educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Poland.

Read more about the Kosciuszko Foundation: www.thekf.org