A Feast For Film Lovers!
The poster may have already grabbed your eye if you've just arrived in town - a skewered strip of celluloid is raised on a fork, as if ready to be gobbled up by some eccentric gourmand. For lovers of film there's no doubt that there's a veritable banquet of celluloid to be enjoyed at this year's Cracow Film Festival - the event is now in its 46th year, and by most accounts it's going from strength to strength.
The Cracow Film Festival - long a major event in Eastern Europe - has become increasingly popular worldwide since the fall of the Iron Curtain. A staggering 1315 films were submitted to the jury this year, and these have now been whittled down to 83 choice cuts from around the world.
The festival focuses on short films, documentaries and animated features, and gongs will be awarded in both Polish and International categories. Young hopefuls and seasoned soldiers will be competing for the cherished Silver Dragons. As always, the main centre of the event will be Kino Kijow, a short stroll west of the Planty gardens at al. Krasinskiego 34. Screenings will also take place at Kino Pod Baranami on the Main Square, which is located in a fantastic old palace. Normally there will be a press conference after each film screening, so if you think you've spotted the next Kieslowski (who kick-started his own career at the festival) then stick around at the end and you can have a chat with the director and some of the cast.
46th Cracow Film Festival: May 30th - June 4th 2006