The Millennium Docs Against Gravity Festival in Warsaw has become the largest cultural event in Poland, attracting audiences from all over the country. With a focus on documentary films, the festival showcases a wide range of international and Polish films, with a special emphasis on quality and artistic value.
Creative director Karol Piekarczyk, who has been with the festival for seven years, emphasizes the importance of putting the audience first. While the festival does not chase world premieres, it has attracted European and international premieres, such as “Porcelain War” and “Sugarcane,” both of which played at Sundance.
The festival’s program includes 170 films in 15 sections, with a focus on diverse and thought-provoking themes. This year, the festival will feature sections dedicated to unforgettable female stories, indigenous peoples, climate change, and a retrospective of American queer artist Barbara Hammer.
Despite political controversies at other festivals, Piekarczyk is determined to keep the focus on the films and not waver in the face of external pressures. The festival aims to use films as statements, with a strong representation of films about current events in Ukraine and Palestine.
As the festival kicks off, Piekarczyk expresses his hope for a successful gathering, where audiences can immerse themselves in the world of documentary cinema. With a diverse and engaging program, the Millennium Docs Against Gravity Festival promises to be a memorable and thought-provoking experience for all attendees.