Solidarity on Screen: The Polish Presidency Film Review at FEBIOFEST festival

As part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2025, six films from the Solidarity on Screen: The Polish Presidency Film Review series will be showcased at Febiofest, Slovakia’s largest international film festival dedicated to feature films.

Since its inception in 1993, Febiofest has grown into a seven-day event featuring both contemporary and archival films, with a focus on European productions. While the main festival takes place in Bratislava, selected films are also screened in about 10 cities across Slovakia, making Febiofest a unique platform for the distribution of ambitious cinema.

The Febiofest Program Includes:

19.03.2025; time: 18:00; Kino Lumière K3 

• Man of Iron (dir. A. Wajda, 1981) – Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes, this powerful film portrays the Gdańsk Shipyard strikes and the birth of Solidarity, highlighting the strength of collective action against systemic oppression. 

20.03.2025; time: 15:40 at Kino Lumière K3 

• Korczak (dir. A. Wajda, 1990) –  poignant black-and-white film that depicts the final years of Janusz Korczak, the Jewish writer, educator, and children’s advocate, during the Holocaust in the Warsaw Ghetto. Scripted by Agnieszka Holland, the film portrays Korczak’s unwavering dedication to the orphans in his care. Korczak stands as a testament to moral courage and compassion in the face of unimaginable adversity.  

20.03.2025; time: 20:00 at Kino Lumière K3 

• 25 Years of Innocence (dir. J. Holoubek, 2020) – A gripping drama based on the true story of Tomasz Komenda, wrongfully convicted and ultimately redeemed through determination and a fight for justice. 

22.03.2025; time: 16:00 at Štúdio 12 – live dubbing 

• The Travelling Dog (dir. M. Nieć, 2024) – A modern adaptation of the beloved tale of a remarkable dog who captured the hearts of people across Poland. This screening will feature live dubbing, making it an unforgettable experience for younger audiences. 

23.03.2025; time: 20:10 at Kino Lumière K3 

• Escape from the 'Liberty' Cinema (dir. W. Marczewski, 1990) – A satirical take on censorship and freedom of speech in the final years of communist Poland. 

24.03.2025; time: 18:20 at Kino Lumière K4 

• A Year in the Life of the Country (dir. T. Wolski, 2024) – A documentary capturing the political and social transformations in Poland over a year, focusing on personal stories to provide a human perspective. 

The Polish film selection at Febiofest offers diverse perspectives on solidarity, exploring it as both a universal value and a pivotal theme in Polish history.