First day of short film screenings | Thursday | OFF Szklarnia Kujawy and Pomerania

The first day of film screenings as part of the Szklarnia Kujawy i Pomorze National Film Festival is a gentle introduction to the festival rhythm and the first encounter with the stories that will accompany us over the coming days. It is the moment when the lights go down and short films begin to speak with their own voices.

On this day, WOAK begins a series of screenings of short films created by independent filmmakers from all over Poland. The program includes feature films, documentaries, animations, and experimental forms—diverse in terms of themes, aesthetics, and sensibilities. Each film brings its own perspective, personal language, and way of looking at reality—sometimes quiet, sometimes bold, always original.

On this day, we will watch four selected films, and after each of them, there will be a discussion with the filmmakers, led by Grzegorz Kaźmierski. The meeting will be a natural complement to the screening and a space to reflect together on what happened on screen.

“So That Was Supposed to Be a Birthday Present” directed by Kamil Wójcik, animation, duration: 26 minutes and 56 seconds

The film is an animated diary, made daily over the course of a year. Each day, one cartoon scene was created on paper using cheap pens and markers. Initially, the project was conceived as a birthday gift for someone close to the creator. However, an unexpected turn of events completely changed this idea – continuing work on the film became a form of self-therapy for him. The diary is a subjective, personal look at the events, emotions, and processes that accompanied him throughout the year.

The film contains scenes of violence, blood, and death. It deals with the topics of cancer and relationship crises. There is loud music and flashing lights.

“Half Past One” directed by Katarzyna Bogucka, documentary film, duration: 19 minutes

The film’s protagonist is Mr. Jurek and his dog Wolter, whom we meet on Mill Island in Bydgoszcz. We discover the story behind the mural of his previous dog, a pug, as well as the extremely personal story of his life.

The film touches on the topics of old age, loneliness, and feelings of social isolation.

“I Was Once a Girl Scout Too” directed by Olga Malinowska, creative documentary film, duration: 12 minutes and 14 seconds

The film “I Was Once a Girl Scout Too” – stories told with love. It is a story about different kinds of love – between two women, but also about love for an organization, people, and nature, and what happens when someone forces you to choose between them. The film is based on interviews, which serve as a group narrator. It tells the story of the experiences of non-heteronormative people in the Scouting Association of the Republic of Poland. The viewer is faced with the same dilemmas that the protagonists themselves face.

The film addresses the issue of exclusion and discrimination based on sexual orientation. It concerns the experiences of LGBTQ+ people.

Replace, directed by Ewelina Duffy, animation, duration: 6 minutes and 43 seconds

Technology provides an escape from the monotony of everyday life, opening the door to a dream world, free from burdens and time. In the illusion of freedom, identity begins to blur, and the line between dream and reality dissolves into mist.

The film contains flashing lights.

The Local Government of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province is a partner of the Szklarnia Kujawy i Pomorze National Film Festival.

The partners of OFF Szklarnia Kujawy and Pomorze are:
Eko Goods and NRD.