Our shared cinematic journey is coming to an end. Over the last ten days, we have been accompanied by stories whose honesty allowed us to see the world from a slightly broader perspective.
The countless meetings with filmmakers, and the conversations—both inside the screening rooms and out in the cinema hallways—will remain in our memories for a long time. However, the festival is not over yet. On May 19th, we are launching MDAG Online! More than 100 titles will be waiting for you to watch from the comfort of your own home until June 1st.
Thank you for the time we spent together, and we are already looking forward to the second part of MDAG.
Julia Zwidryn
Press Office of the 23rd MDAG
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SUNDAY
Sunday, May 17 | 12:00 | Ethnographic Museum
Screening of the film ,,Runa Simi" + workshops for children
Partner: The National Museum of Ethnography
We invite you to a special screening for parents/caregivers and children. While the adults watch the film "Runa Simi", the children will take part in simultaneous creative workshops led by educators from the National Museum of Ethnography. During the classes, children will explore how language shapes our identity and relationships with others. They will visit the exhibitions "Forms of Presence. Art of the Lemkos/Carpathian Rusyns" and "Common Houses," where they will learn about the Lemko and Ukrainian languages and their role in culture and everyday life.
The workshops are designed for children aged 6–10 whose parents/caregivers are attending the screening.
Participation in the workshops is free but requires prior registration – please send an email to: barbara@againstgravity.pl along with confirmation of your movie ticket purchase. Space is limited, so purchasing a ticket alone does not guarantee a spot in the workshop.
TICKETS
ABOUT THE FILM:
Can language be a bridge between generations? Can one family's passion save an endangered culture? Fernando Valenci – a Peruvian dubbing artist, radio personality, and activist – along with his son Dylan, take on the challenge of dubbing the animated film "The Lion King" into Quechua (Runa Simi), also known as the language of the Incas. The film poses questions about the role of tradition in a world that is rapidly forgetting its roots, showing that language is not merely a communication tool, but also a vessel of memory and a living tissue of identity.
WORKSHOP REGULATIONS
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Sunday, May 17 | 12:15 | Iluzjon Stolica
With a Toddler at MDAG: screening of the film ,,The Oldest Person in the World"
During this year's edition of the festival, we invite parents and caregivers with infants and children up to 4 years old to screenings prepared with our youngest viewers in mind. The screenings take place under conditions tailored to children's needs – with dim lighting in the cinema hall and lowered sound levels. They have a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, so that caregivers can comfortably enjoy the movie together with their toddlers.
Children participate in the screenings free of charge.
ABOUT THE FILM:
The film, created over a decade of the director's travels around the world, portrays the oldest people on Earth, combining reflections on time, chance, and the joy of life with the director's personal experiences. Humor, warmth, and a light melancholy create a deep, funny look at the art of being alive.
TICKETS
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Sunday, May 17 | 14:15 | Atlantic B
Screening of the film "Mariinka" + SDH subtitles
During the war in Ukraine, a promising female boxer becomes a paramedic, while a young woman takes up courier services, smuggling goods across the front line. Mirroring a Greek tragedy, two brothers find themselves on opposing sides of the conflict, while the youngest brother lives safely with a foster family in the United States. Through letters, video calls, and quiet encounters, the film explores belonging, national loyalty, and the fault lines that can override even the bonds of blood.
The film is presented as part of the "Cinema as Laboratory V" project, co-funded by the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation.
The film is available with audio description (AD) and a Polish voiceover. There will also be screenings with subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). A full list of events and more information can be found in the "accessibility" tab.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us:
SMS / Tel: +48 579 754 101
Email: julia@againstgravity.pl
TICKETS
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Sunday, May 17 | 18:00 | Kinoteka 4
Screening of the film ,,Hex" + post-screening discussion
Partner: Okultura Publishing House
Three young Norwegian women form the black metal band Witch Club Satan. Before they know it, they are playing at major international festivals. The figure of the witch – a symbol of violence and control over the female body – blends personal experiences with collective memory, creating a trance-like story of shame, resistance, and emancipation. The film's narrative is built on rituals, gestures, voice, and the physical presence of the protagonists. The film combines visual arts, choreography, and vocal work, creating a space where private experience transforms into a political act of defiance.
The screening will be followed by a discussion: Modern Witches - the new face of rebellion?
During our discussion, we will look at the figure of the witch in contemporary feminist art and socially engaged esotericism. We will also consider whether the rising popularity of witches is merely a capitalist trend or a force with the potential for real change.
Guests:
Olga Drenda, Paweł Frelik and Dariusz Misiuna
TICKETS
Sunday, May 17 | 18:30 | Kinoteka 2
Screening of the film "Bugboy" + SDH subtitles
Yorgos – a shy teenager with a visual impairment – struggles to connect with others after his parents' divorce. A bond with a cricket named Isabella becomes a catalyst for transformation and self-discovery. Even the smallest creatures can help you find your place on Earth. Yorgos discovers that he no longer has to be alone. His passion for insects opens the door to lessons on trust, friendship, and growing up.
The film is available with audio description (AD) and a Polish voiceover. There will also be screenings with subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). A full list of events and more information can be found in the "accessibility" tab.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us:
SMS / Tel: +48 579 754 101
Email: julia@againstgravity.pl
TICKETS
The 23rd edition of MDAG will take place from May 8 to 17, 2026, in cinemas in Warsaw, Wrocław, Gdynia, Poznań, Katowice, Bydgoszcz, and Łódź, and from May 19 to June 1 online at mdag.pl! The titular sponsor of the event is Bank Millennium (https://www.bankmillennium.pl/).
