The 2022 Kinoteka Polish Film Festival is about to get underway at venues across London, as well as in Edinburgh and online. It’s organised by the Polish Cultural Institute in London and this year is the 20th Anniversary of the event.
So, what can you see at this year’s festival? As always, Kinoteka brings an eclectic mix of films across all genres from drama and comedy through to documentary and classic cinema. It will showcase the very best that Polish cinema has to offer. But that’s not all, as well as screenings there will be special events such as Q&As and panel discussions.
The festival runs until 3rd April 2022 at London venues including the ICA, Prince Charles Cinema, Riverside Studios, JW3 and BFI Southbank. And this year, there will be screenings at the Edinburgh Filmhouse cinema too.
Things to see at this year’s festival
This year’s Kinoteka festival opens with a gala screening of Silent Land. It’s Agnieszka Woszczyńska’s debut feature and it’s best described as a slow-burning character study that unfurls the power of denial. And it’s beautifully shot with minimal dialogue.
The rest of the programme includes historical drama from Leave No Traces and The Death of Zygielbojm, and crime drama 25 Years of Innocence. There’s comedy from Back Then and The In-Laws. And Sci-Fi comedy from Sexmission, which is already hugely popular with Polish audiences.
And if you fancy a futuristic, immersive experience, then book for the sensory screening of Nightsss at ICA. Or if you like your entertainment more old-school, then the closing gala will have a classic screening to a live score at BFI Southbank.
Kinoteka shows solidarity with Ukraine
As the world shows overwhelming solidarity with Ukraine in the wake of Russian invasion, the situation on the ground becomes increasingly dire. More than 1.2 million refugees have already crossed the Polish border. And hundreds of thousands more are reaching Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and other European countries. While the response in Poland has been overwhelmingly positive and open to people seeking refuge from war tearing up their country, there is an enormous need for humanitarian help from all around the world. Every donation counts.
And that’s why the festival has decided to answer this call for help. They’re donating all of the festival proceeds to SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine emergency appeal. So, each ticket you purchase for a film showcased at the Kinoteka will result in a direct donation to the cause of supporting children and their families in Ukraine.
What will the money be used for, I hear you ask? SOS Children’s Villages provide urgent support to Ukraine. This includes helping to evacuate children and families to safety. And providing those still in Ukraine with food and other supplies so they can stay in lockdown. And providing constant trauma support for staff, families and children whose lives have been thrown into chaos. The need for support is growing by the hour. Millions of people are expected to flee the war in the next weeks. As well as the children and families already cared for by SOS Children’s Village prior to the invasion, large numbers are expected to need help as a direct result of the war.
If you like to discover different events like this, keep an eye on our festival page for more off-beat events!
When: 9th March – 3rd April 2022
Where: At BFI Southbank, ICA, JW3, Prince Charles Cinema and Riverside Studios in London; Edinburgh Filmhouse; and online via BFI Player
£: Ticket prices vary. All proceeds to SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine emergency appeal
More info: kinoteka.org.uk