The Whole World Between Us. 22nd Millennium Docs Against Gravity
Seven cities, over 165,000 viewers in 2024, and hundreds of volunteers across the country—these people, institutions, and places make up the MDAG festival family. Thanks to their dedication and love for cinema, Millennium Docs Against Gravity has become the second-largest documentary film festival in Europe, right after IDFA in Amsterdam. Such a massive undertaking is the result of the hard work of many individuals, with the most numerous group being the volunteers. This year's festival poster highlights them, featuring two long-time volunteers from different generations—Zofia and Anna. The slogan of this year’s MDAG edition also reflects the sense of community: “The Whole World Between Us.”
The 22nd edition of Millennium Docs Against Gravity will take place from May 9–18 in cinemas across Warsaw, Wrocław, Gdynia, Poznań, Katowice, Łódź, and Bydgoszcz, and online from May 20 to June 2 at mdag.pl! As always, unforgettable cinematic journeys will be accompanied by meetings with filmmakers and protagonists, as well as discussions on crucial issues presented on screen.
New Sections
Every year, Millennium Docs Against Gravity introduces new thematic sections addressing topics that have been particularly significant for filmmakers in the past 12 months. The festival keeps sensing emerging trends in the documentary industry. This year, we are proud to present five new sections: Political Science, On Photography, Investigative Desk, American Contrasts, and Women Changing the World.
In many cases, contemporary politics relies on the art of manipulation, subtle or otherwise, and on skillfully playing with public sentiment. The Political Science section examines how those in power shape reality and deconstructs their methods of operation. Thanks to investigative journalists, we learn about events and processes that politicians, governments, corporations, criminals, and business figures would rather keep hidden. The Investigative Journalism section uncovers crucial facts, enabling audiences to make more informed decisions in their own lives.
The Contrasting America section presents stories that illustrate the transformation of American society over recent decades, blending social and political issues with personal narratives. These films explore the fate of the "American Dream." Meanwhile, the On Photography section showcases outstanding artists who, through their images, not only documented key events, people, and social changes but also used photography as a profound means of communication. For the photographers featured in these films, art is a way of life—a passion turned into a survival tool.
Women Change the World features films about women fighting for justice and equality through various means—film, music, stand-up comedy, and even space travel. They come from different historical periods, countries, and backgrounds, but they all share one thing: they transform both their personal microcosms and the global geopolitical landscape.
MDAG Vision: Humans in Dialogue with Technology
The XR Exhibition at the Millennium Docs Against Gravity festival takes us on a fascinating journey along the borderline between human consciousness and technology. Five exceptional works reveal different ways of expanding our perception. This year's exhibition showcases a wide spectrum of immersive media and explores various forms of storytelling, where technology becomes a tool in the hands of creators.
The exhibition will be held May 12–18 at the National Museum of Ethnography in Warsaw, with free admission.
Masterpieces from Sundance and Berlinale
As always, Millennium Docs Against Gravity will feature critically acclaimed films that captivated audiences at the world’s biggest film festivals—Berlinale and Sundance.
Among them is the Berlinale Documentary Award-winning "Holding Liat" (dir. Brandon Kramer), a powerful and gripping story. Berlin also featured Polish highlights, such as "Letters From Wolf Street" (dir. Arjun Talwar), an intimate portrayal of Poland through the eyes of an Indian filmmaker living in the country, and "Bedrock" (dir. Kinga Michalska), a deeply psychological exploration of Holocaust sites.
From Sundance, the world’s premier independent film festival, MDAG programmers have selected films that delve into politics, self-discovery, concerns for the future, and the pursuit of justice. These include "Mr. Nobody Against Putin" (dir. David Borenstein), about a Russian teacher witnessing his country’s transformation with growing alarm, and "Free Leonard Peltier" (co-directed by Oscar® nominee David France and Jesse Short Bull), a documentary on the Native American activist imprisoned for over 50 years.
The Power of Polish Documentary Cinema at MDAG
This has been another outstanding year for Polish documentary cinema, reflected both in the numerous awards won by Polish filmmakers and in the high quality of this year's films. The Polish Competition at MDAG 2024 features ten exceptional films, directed by six women and six men. Additionally, four Polish films have made it into the International Short Film Competition.
Among the highlights are the IDFA award-winning films: "Trains" (dir. Maciej Drygała), an essay on the impact of technology on 20th-century history, and "Guest" (dir. Zvika Gregory Portnoy & Zuzanna Solakiewicz, co-directed by Michał Bielawski), an intimate account of humanitarian efforts on the Polish-Belarusian border, showing that helping others should always take precedence over politics and the law.
The Magic of Cinema: Retrospectives of Mark Cousins & Andrzej Munk
This year’s festival will also feature retrospectives of two outstanding filmmakers: Mark Cousins, who offers a profound perspective on art and cinema, and Andrzej Munk, whose rational vision of Poland remains influential.
The Mark Cousins retrospective coincides with the premiere of his new film "A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things", a portrait of the remarkable Scottish abstract painter Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. A master of cinematic storytelling, Cousins challenges us to see films—and the world itself—in new ways. The retrospective will include Q&A sessions with Cousins, screenings of his past works, and an exclusive masterclass.
Andrzej Munk (1921–1961), one of Poland’s most celebrated directors, was revered by Andrzej Wajda and Roman Polański as a master. His films remain as impactful today as ever, standing out for their modern form, intellectual discipline, and deep engagement with Polish cultural identity.
The Best of MDAG: 10 Must-See Classics
The festival will also present a curated selection of 10 unforgettable films that have left a lasting impact on MDAG and documentary cinema history. The Best of MDAG will feature screenings and discussions with legendary filmmakers, including David France, Guy David, and Lauren Greenfield.
The 22nd Millennium Docs Against Gravity will be an unforgettable journey—not only around the world but also through essential themes such as ecology, politics, psychology, human rights, avant-garde art, pop culture, and family relationships.
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