God Save the Film

"As the festival grew, we needed to expand to more venues. Thus, starting this year, we will hold screenings in two cinemas: Kino Muza and Kino Apollo. Their five screening rooms with a total seating capacity of 719 will host more than 70 pictures divided into 10 sections," announces Estrada Poznańska, organiser of the second edition of the British Film Festival, in Kino Muza.

The festival's slogan "United Kingdom of Cinema" will remain unchanged. From the outset, our premise has been to celebrate the cultures of each nation that makes up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, while showcasing the diversity of its regions and social classes and exploring their colonial and postcolonial backgrounds. The overarching aim has been to feature the UK through multiple lenses.

"For that reason, this year's focus shifts to films set across the UK, in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We are also looking for the stories of people, their circumstances, and challenges that reflect today's UK society," says Karolina Kulig of Kino Muza.

So, what should we keep an eye on? "This year, we're building a strong premiere section called First Things First, looking to screen some of the most exciting debuts that have not yet hit cinemas or are unlikely to appear in mainstream distribution. We aim to capture key productions and give audiences an opportunity to see them on the big screen. Expect Polish premieres and world premiere screenings," Kulig reveals.

The section will feature Die My Love directed by Lynne Ramsay, who was featured in this year's retrospective session and was a guest of honour in last year's edition of British Film Festival. The picture is an uncompromising study of postpartum depression, loneliness, and identity crisis. Set in stark landscapes of Montana, a dream of a romantic escape turns into a nightmare... The star duo Robert Pattinson and Jennifer Lawrence, who's at the pinnacle of her performance, deliver a mesmerising, bold portrayal of a woman on the brink of a mental breakdown. Another highlight, The Ballad of Wallis Island directed by James Griffiths, tells the story of Charles, an eccentric lottery winner who dreams of reuniting his favourite band, McGwyer Mortimer. The fantasy becomes reality when the band members (and former lovers) agree to play a private concert at his Wallis Island home. Old tensions resurface as Charles desperately struggles to keep his dream gig from falling apart. Then there is The History of Sound by Oliver Hermanus, a film about love that defies words, as even the protagonists, Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor, are unable to express it. But music does the talking for them. And even though World War I is about to turn their world upside down, they try to save from obsolescence their beloved folk songs that stand for the safety of their long-lost home. Also in the lineup, Urchin, drew rapturous applause at Cannes and was a directorial debut of Harris Dickinson, known from Babygirl, Triangle of Sadness, and Scrapper.

"The festival's central theme opens up a dialogue on Britain's influence across the globe. To deepen the conversation, we are unveiling a new section titled Commonwealth, reflecting on the legacy of the Commonwealth of Nations. Through these films, we explore the dynamics between the colonised and the colonisers, offering a deep dive into the cultural impact and, above all, the reach of British cinema worldwide," explain the programmers.

But novelties don't end there. Through its ongoing partnership with the British Council, BFF proudly becomes Poland's first festival to showcase BAFTA-nominated British short films, featured in our High Season section. This year's edition also marks the grand finale of the UK/Poland 2025 Season, a yearlong celebration of cultural dialogue and the creative exchange between Poland and the UK. BFF is also expanding its industry segment with the introduction of Industry Days, two days of panels, debates, Q&As, masterclasses, and case studies. Designed for Poland's film professionals ranging from cinema operators and distributors to cultural institutions and filmmakers, this high-quality initiative seeks to strengthen Polish-British collaboration, offering fresh perspectives on filmmaking.

BFF's signature section, Outside the Box, is still going strong, focusing on cult British films shown in surprising, immersive venues that enhance viewing experience. The lineup will also feature two retrospectives, one paying tribute to actress Maggie Smith, the other celebrating a director, showcasing an artist who will be making a special visit to Poznań. Mind the Gap keeps highlighting socially engaged cinema, this year diving into the coming-of-age journey. "Through these handpicked films, viewers get a glimpse of the world from young people's perspectives, exploring their adolescent struggles and challenges. It is a theme that has long been part of British cinema and still hits home today," notes Kulig. She adds, "We're also developing the Bloody Hell! section, a fun, humorous wrap-up to each day. It is not just B-movies anymore as we are including genre and pop culture flicks, invariably in collaboration with Gdańsk's Octopus Film Festival." And, needless to say, expect weekend screenings for kids and families in the Never Grow Up section, along with educational showings for school groups.

Anna Solak

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski

2. British Film Festival
12-16.11
for more, see: British Film Festival