Yesterday’s screenings whisked us away to every corner of the globe – from Iran and Sweden to Belarus and all the way to New York. By evening, we were back in Warsaw, partying like it was still 2016. The screening of "All These Sleepless Nights" certainly brought back a wave of nostalgia. Despite the lack of sleep, we hope to see you all back in the theater seats today!
Looking out at the capital from the second floor of the Palace of Culture, we’re just as eager as you are to head out and catch our top picks. You’re the lucky ones – the weekend is in full swing, and screenings are running from dawn till dusk.
It’s great to see you all connecting at the cinemas and swapping stories about what you’ve seen. Your energy is what truly makes MDAG what it is. If you want to dive deeper, don’t forget that many screenings are followed by the chance to join a discussion with the filmmakers and the films' protagonists.
We’re also counting down the hours until tomorrow, when the author of the cult classic "Trainspotting" joins us. After the screening of "Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough", stick around for a Q&A with director Paul Sng and the legendary writer himself. In the film, Welsh explores what awaits us after death – aided by a wide array of mind-altering substances…
Julia Zwidryn
[A woman wearing a VR headset sits among sheaves of grain, holding controllers in her hands.]
SATURDAY
Saturday, May 9 | 1:45 pm | KINOTEKA 3 | Screening of “Bugboy” by Lucas Paleocrassas + Q&A with the Director
The film follows a story of a shy teenager who, in the wake of his parents' divorce, forms a profound bond with a cricket named Isabella. This interspecies friendship becomes a catalyst for his transformation, proving that even the smallest creatures can help us find our place in the world. His fascination with the insect world opens the door to a journey of trust, friendship, and coming of age. By blending realistic imagery with the metaphorical tone of a fable, the film portrays young Yorgos as he finally confronts his deepest fears.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with director Lucas Paleocrassas.
Tickets
Saturday, May 9 | 4:00 pm | KINOTEKA 3 | The only screening of the first-ever FIPRESCI Documentary Grand Prix winner, “Fiume o morte!” by Igor Bezinović + Q&A with the director
The film recreates the events of 1919, depicting one of the most extraordinary political experiments of the 20th century. Gabriele D'Annunzio – an Italian poet-warrior – seizes the city of Fiume (modern-day Rijeka, Croatia), beginning a bloody 16-month occupation. This fascinating portrait of D'Annunzio’s ultranationalist views serves as a reflection on how the past continues to shape modern society. As one interviewee aptly observes: "Unfortunately, people like this still exist; we just don't know who they are”. The past comes alive as facts intertwine in Bezinović’s hybrid vision, masterfully blending archival footage and interviews with contemporary reconstructions. On May 7, at the Opening Gala of the 23rd MDAG, the production was awarded the first-ever FIPRESCI Documentary Grand Prix.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with director Igor Bezinović.
Tickets
[A group photo of a large crowd of shirtless young men wearing traditional tasseled hats, most of them glued to their smartphones, with a coastal city in the background.]
Saturday, May 9 | 6:15 pm | KINOTEKA 4 | Screening of the documentary “The Hidden Face Of The Earth” by Arnaud Alain + Q&A with the director
Photographer Dimitri is confronting his profession’s ultimate nightmare: the loss of his sight. In his struggle against a tragic and inevitable fate, his camera becomes both shield and sword. As he wanders the streets of Paris, New York, and beyond, encountering intriguing figures along the way, he begins to tap into the power of his other senses. Paradoxically, his failing vision helps Dimitri uncover what lies hidden in memory and what remains invisible to the eye, sparking fresh reflections on how we perceive reality and human connection. The film is more than just a study of photography; it is a search for the meaning of "the gaze" – even as the sense of sight begins to fade.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with director Arnaud Alain.
Tickets
Saturday, May 9 | 6:30 pm | KINOTEKA 2 | Screening of the documentary "Almost forver" by Lia Hietala and Hannah Reinikainen + Q&A with the directors and producer
A story following five formative years of a group of close friends in Stockholm. Their bond is put to the test as they navigate the transition into adulthood, grappling with friendship, love, and the search for their own identity. The tight-knit crew traverses the city on rollerblades, lost in conversation. Fleeting gossip, first heartbreaks, and questions regarding consent and cancel culture begin to challenge their relationships. The film captures the hardship and turbulence of growing up, offering a portrait of a generation being shaped by rapid social change.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with directors Lia Hietala and Hannah Reinikainen, and producer Melissa Lindgren.
Tickets
Saturday, May 9 | 8:45 pm | KINOTEKA 2 | Screening of the documentary "Love-22-Love" by Jeroen Kooijmans + Q&A with the director
Dutch artist Jeroen Kooijmans has been keeping a video diary for over 30 years, documenting his love, art, and struggles with psychotic episodes. Jeroen attempts to overcome his demons through his creative work while simultaneously paying tribute to his wife, Elspeth Diederix. The film is both an intimate memoir, filled with extraordinary video art, and a love letter from Kooijmans to Diederix.
After the screening, there will be an opportunity to participate in a meeting with the director, Jeroen.
Tickets
Saturday, May 9 | 5:30 pm | KINOMUZEUM | Screening of the documentary "Self-Portrait in 23 Rounds: a Chapter in David Wojnarowicz’s Life, 1989–1991" + screening of the short film "Janine" + discussion
[A collage of four differently sized frames set against a black background with video glitches, depicting scenes featuring men in a raw, melancholic aesthetic.]
"Self-Portrait in 23 Rounds: A Chapter in David Wojnarowicz's Life, 1989-1991"
A film essay by Marion Scemama profiling David Wojnarowicz – painter, sculptor, photographer, performer, and director of the Cinema of Transgression – one of the leading figures of the 1980s New York art scene. It chronicles the artist's vibrant and intense life, from his childhood to the moments shortly before his death. The film is based on a five-hour interview conducted by Sylvère Lotringer with Wojnarowicz in 1989. Some of the archival materials featured in the film are being presented for the first time.
[Two young people in blazers and white shirts walking side by side, smiling.]
"Janine"
The film explores how white society imposes the category of "race" and how prejudices regarding sexual orientation are expressed. Director Cheryl Dunye plays the protagonist, recalling events and emotions within a narrative framework. "Janine" is not a strictly documentary film – its storytelling style, oscillating between raw facts and fiction, allows the director to subvert definitive categorizations of her persona and identity.
After the screening, there will be a discussion on the work of David Wojnarowicz and Cheryl Dunye and the history of American queer activism. Guest speakers: Dr. Jędrzej Burszta and Dr. Krystyna Mazur.
Tickets
SUNDAY
Sunday, May 10 | 11:45 AM | Cinema Iluzjon (Stolica Hall) | MDAG WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE: Screening of "The Mystery Package"
Partner: Ładnebebe
At this year's festival, we invite parents and caregivers with infants and children up to 4 years old to special screenings designed with our youngest viewers in mind. These sessions are held in a baby-friendly environment, featuring dimmed house lights and lowered volume. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, ensuring that caregivers can comfortably enjoy the film alongside their little ones.
Admission for children is free.
ABOUT THE FILM:
For over 20 years, a mysterious package from Arendal has arrived at the Sandnes household every Christmas. With the sender still unknown, grandchildren Edle and Brage decide to launch an investigation. This family mystery unfolds into a story about memory and the enduring strength of family bonds.
Tickets
[Two children playing with a Polaroid camera indoors. One of them is squinting through the viewfinder.]
Sunday, May 10 | 2:00 PM | KINOMUZEUM (MSN) | Screening of "Please Do Not Sit" + Q&A with Wojciech Plewiński (subject), Piotr Małecki (director), and Katarzyna Sagatowska (film concept)
Renowned photographer Wojciech Plewiński is preparing a new exhibition by retracing the footsteps of his life's work. Joined by his wife Anna, his son Maciek, and curator Katarzyna Sagatowska, he journeys to iconic locations such as Teatr Studio, Nowa Huta, and the Biebrza River. This pilgrimage serves as a catalyst for reflection, artistic analysis, and a raw confrontation with the past. While these family travels involve difficult reckonings, the time spent together ultimately allows them to forge deeper, renewed bonds.
The screening will be followed by a conversation with Wojciech Plewiński, Piotr Małecki, and Katarzyna Sagatowska.
Tickets
Sunday, May 10 | 2:45 PM | KINOTEKA 2 | Screening of "Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story" + Q&A with director Sinead O’Shea
"Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story" offers an intimate portrait of one of the most significant Irish writers of the 20th century. The film traces her extraordinary career: from her controversial debut novel The Country Girls, which caused a scandal in conservative Ireland in 1960, through a life defined by success, romance, and luxury, as well as personal loss. Drawing on O’Brien’s personal journals – read by Oscar® nominee Jessie Buckley – and featuring insights from writers like Gabriel Byrne and Walter Mosley, the film provides a candid and moving testimony to her life.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with director Sinead O’Shea.
Tickets
[A black-and-white portrait of a woman with a bob, holding a lit cigarette and looking up thoughtfully.]
Sunday, May 10 | 3:00 PM | KINOTEKA 7 | Screening of "Nuisance Bear" + Q&A with Jack Weiseman (Director) and Gabriela Osio Vanden (Director)
A polar bear is forced to navigate a world of tourists, wildlife officers, and hunters in a small Canadian town. Often seen as a nuisance, the bear becomes a catalyst for questioning who truly belongs in this shared landscape. Churchill, Manitoba – affectionately known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World" – serves as the backdrop for a film that captures the tense coexistence between humans and bears. Narrated through the eyes of an Inuit observer whose insights defy easy conclusions, the film subverts traditional nature documentary tropes. By choosing confrontation over moralizing, it forces the audience to rethink the role of wildlife as a mere spectacle.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with directors Jack Weiseman and Gabriela Osio Vanden.
The film is available with Audio Description (AD) and Polish voice-over. Screenings with Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH) are also available.
For a full list of events and more details, please visit our Accessibility tab.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out:
SMS / Tel: +48 579 754 101
Email: julia@againstgravity.pl
Tickets
[A polar bear's head emerges vertically from the water, staring motionless directly into the camera.]
Sunday, May 10 | 4:15 PM | Cinema Muranów (Gerard Hall) | Screening of "Underland" + Q&A with director Rob Petit
There are more stories buried beneath the Earth's surface than could ever fit inside the tallest skyscrapers humanity has ever built. Long after those structures crumble and our species vanishes, the records etched into the underground may be the only trace of our existence. What can the Earth's hidden wonders tell us about our origins and our future? This film is more than just a journey; it is a spine-tingling experience that highlights the fleeting nature of human life compared to a world measured in eons and epochs. The narrative weaves together the paths of three explorers: Mexican archaeologist Fatima Tec Pool, Radley Garrett, and Mariangela Lisanti.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with director Rob Petit.
Tickets
[A lone figure stands on a small, sunlit islet inside a massive, dark cave featuring an underground lake and hanging tree roots.]
unday, May 10 | 6:00 PM | KINOTEKA 1 | Screening of "Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough" + Q&A with director Paul Sng and subject Irvine Welsh
This film presents the author of Trainspotting as just as sharp, hilarious, and unapologetic today as he was during his childhood in Leith – from his rise to fame to his globetrotting travels and hallucinogenic adventures in Canada. Refreshingly, it avoids the typical focus on "writing craft" or the self-important posturing often seen in less talented authors. Instead, it portrays Welsh as a man whose passion for music and sports stands on equal footing with literature. This is a portrait of a writer fully aware of his own mortality, embracing the passage of time and remaining ever-open to carving out new paths.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with director Paul Sng and Irvine Welsh.
Tickets
Sunday, May 10 | 8:30 PM | Cinema Luna (Hall A) | Screening of "Supernatural" + Film Therapy discussion: The temptation of spiritual healing
André Malby was a famous, charismatic shaman and spiritual healer – a womanizer and hedonist who many believed possessed supernatural healing powers. His son, Mathurin "Mathu" Malby, is a rational doctor who shares none of these beliefs and has become his father's polar opposite. This precarious balance begins to shift when Anna, a well-known Spanish actress, convinces him that his father telepathically saved her life. This encounter forces Mathu to confront his father's legacy, deep-seated family trauma, and his own convictions, drawing him into a space where faith, magic, and science collide. Filmed over several years, the movie blurs the lines of traditional documentary filmmaking, balancing raw observation with intimate participation.
The screening will be followed by a discussion featuring psychologists and psychotherapists, including Agnieszka Łabędzka, a cognitive-behavioral therapist and Wellbee expert. The talk will be moderated by Martyna Harland, psychologist and founder of the Filmoterapia.pl project.
