UNLEASH
YOUR IMAGINATION
About the Competition
The competition promotes the use of modern technology as a tool to support the creativity of young filmmakers and encourage the development of innovative storytelling formats. Participants have the opportunity to experiment with form, explore the possibilities of virtual production, and discover new ways of telling stories
The competition is open to students of film and theater schools that co-organize the initiative with TVN Warner Bros. Discovery. Eligible participants include those studying directing, production, screenwriting, acting and new media
Who Can Apply
A grant to produce a short film using LED screens at the professional XR Studio, with access to cutting-edge extended reality (XR) technology and support from experienced mentors
The Prize
THE COMPETITION
JURY
Jan Holoubek
Director, screenwriter and cinematographer who graduated from the Łodz Film School. He is known for the series "Rojst" and "High Water", as well as the film "25 Years of Innocence", which won a Polish Film Award: Eagles. In 2023, he directed the thriller "Doppelgänger". He focuses on stories based on real events and strong psychological portraits. He recently finished working on the TV series "Heweliusz".
Juror for the I and II editions of the competition.
Film director and screenwriter who graduated from the University of Silesia and the Wajda School. Her debut film, "The Lure", received international recognition at the Sundance Film Festival. Her subsequent films, "Fuga" and "The Silent Twins", were presented at the Cannes Film Festival. She creates auteur cinema, often combining genres and exploring female identity.
Juror for the I and II editions of the competition.
Agnieszka Smoczyńska
Bartek Ignaciuk
Director and screenwriter who graduated from the Faculty of Painting and Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. He is known for his work on the TV series "Usta Usta", "High Water" and "Pati". He also co-wrote the screenplay for the second season of the TV series "Belfer". His latest project is the film "Wielka Warszawska".
Juror for the I and II editions of the competition.
Paweł Maślona
Director and screenwriter graduated from the Jagiellonian University in political science and from the University of Silesia with a degree in film directing. He made his debut with the critically acclaimed film "Panic Attack". "Kos" earned him Golden Lions at the Polish Feature Film Festival in Gdynia, as well as a Polityka Passport Award for his "sense of irony and bold breaking of conventions." He is currently working on a TV series adaptation of Bolesław Prus's "Lalka".
Juror for the I edition of the competition.
Bartek Kaczmarek
Cinematographer and director who graduate from the Cinematography Department at the Lodz Film School. He was the cinematographer for the productions “25 Years of Innocence,” “The Case of Tomek Komenda” , “Rojst” and “High Water". In 2021, he received the PSC Award for his work on "25 Years of Innocence" and in 2023, he won the top prize at the Camerimage Festival for his work on "Doppelgänger".
Juror for the I and II editions of the competition.
Piotr Domalewski
Director, screenwriter and actor, one of the most important creators of the young generation in Polish cinema. His feature debut, "Silent Night", won the Golden Lion at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, as well as ten Polish Film Award: Eagles, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. His projects combine social engagement with genre elements. He is currently working on a film about Jacek Kuroń, an opposition politician from the communist era.
Juror for the II edition of the competition.
Award-winning creators in the field of cinematography
Director, screenwriter and cinematographer who graduated from the Łodz Film School. He is known for the series "Rojst" and "High Water", as well as the film "25 Years of Innocence", which won a Polish Film Award: Eagles. In 2023, he directed the thriller "Doppelgänger". He focuses on stories based on real events and strong psychological portraits. He recently finished working on the TV series "Heweliusz".
Juror for the I and II editions of the competition.
Film director and screenwriter who graduated from the University of Silesia and the Wajda School. Her debut film, "The Lure", received international recognition at the Sundance Film Festival. Her subsequent films, "Fuga" and "The Silent Twins", were presented at the Cannes Film Festival. She creates auteur cinema, often combining genres and exploring female identity.
Juror for the I and II editions of the competition.
Director and screenwriter who graduated from the Faculty of Painting and Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. He is known for his work on the TV series "Usta Usta", "High Water" and "Pati". He also co-wrote the screenplay for the second season of the TV series "Belfer". His latest project is the film "Wielka Warszawska".
Juror for the I and II editions of the competition.
Cinematographer and director who graduate from the Cinematography Department at the Lodz Film School. He was the cinematographer for the productions “25 Years of Innocence,” “The Case of Tomek Komenda” , “Rojst” and “High Water". In 2021, he received the PSC Award for his work on "25 Years of Innocence" and in 2023, he won the top prize at the Camerimage Festival for his work on "Doppelgänger".
Juror for the I and II editions of the competition.
Director and screenwriter graduated from the Jagiellonian University in political science and from the University of Silesia with a degree in film directing. He made his debut with the critically acclaimed film "Panic Attack". "Kos" earned him Golden Lions at the Polish Feature Film Festival in Gdynia, as well as a Polityka Passport Award for his "sense of irony and bold breaking of conventions." He is currently working on a TV series adaptation of Bolesław Prus's "Lalka".
Juror for the I edition of the competition.
Director, screenwriter and actor, one of the most important creators of the young generation in Polish cinema. His feature debut, "Silent Night", won the Golden Lion at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, as well as ten Polish Film Award: Eagles, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. His projects combine social engagement with genre elements. He is currently working on a film about Jacek Kuroń, an opposition politician from the communist era.
Juror for the II edition of the competition.
One of the oldest film schools in the world. It trains directors, cinematographers, animators, photographers, screenwriters, editors, film and television production managers and actors.
It focuses on education in film, television, and media arts, as well as scientific research in media studies, film, television and theater production.
The university educates future actors, directors, set designers, critics and theater theorists. The university has several departments offering specialized studies in dramatic acting, acting and singing, directing and theater studies.
The program's primary goal is to provide future feature and documentary filmmakers with a solid, professional education in film directing.
It offers programs of study in directing, acting, cinematography, editing, film and television production, film studies, screenwriting, photography, sound design and video game development.
FILM SCHOOLS
The program's primary goal is to provide future feature and documentary filmmakers with a solid, professional education in film directing.
It focuses on education in film, television, and media arts, as well as scientific research in media studies, film, television and theater production
It offers programs of study in directing, acting, cinematography, editing, film and television production, film studies, screenwriting, photography, sound design and video game development
The university educates future actors, directors, set designers, critics and theater theorists. The university has several departments offering specialized studies in dramatic acting, acting and singing, directing and theater studies.
One of the oldest film schools in the world. It trains directors, cinematographers, animators, photographers, screenwriters, editors, film and television production managers and actors.
Film and art schools co-organizing the competition
WINNING SHORT FILMS
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During a spacewalk, astronaut Alex notices a stellar anomaly that signals an incoming disaster. Or maybe it's just a remnant of a tragedy that has already happened?
Director: Konrad Kultys
DOP: Mateusz Nowak
Lodz Film School
She is a successful journalist who travels the world reporting on global conflicts. When her secret is revealed, everything changes.
Director: Marta Kowalska i Karolina Fronik
DOP: Jakub Stolecki
Gdynia Film School
Jerzy is an unconventional psychotherapist who has built his reputation on helping patients overcome trauma. However, when a young client seeks his help, Jerzy must face a new type of challenge...
Lodz Film School
Director: Maciej Tyburski
DOP: Andrzej Woźniakiewicz
Director: Adelina Borets
DOP: Paweł Kozak
Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School
In February 2024, civilians attempted to escape Mariupol, which was surrounded by enemy forces. They crossed the frozen Sea of Azov to reach the other side. They are currently considered missing.
WINNERS OF THE SECOND EDITION
Lodz Film School
Natalia Pośnik
Maja Górczak
Gabriela Rybołowicz
Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School
Adrian Dulnik
Marcin Gołąb
Alicja Osiej
Katarzyna Sikorska
Arkadiusz Powałka
Agata Stanula
Warsaw Film School
Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School
Warsaw Film School
Leon Korzyński
Witold Prokopczyk
Weronika Zwierz
Natalia Tatarczak
Vladyslav Deva
Mateusz Gzel
Alicja Dąbrowska
Jakub Nagaduś
Kinga Burzyńska
XR Studio COMPETITION team
Curator of the competition
Agata Sałapa
Competition Coordinator
Tomasz Sykulski
Virtual Production Manager
Michał Malinowski
XR Art & Tech Director
Virtual Production Developer
Andrzej Tomaszewski
