Warsaw Film School

Script Fiesta will take place on March 25–29.

As students, you are required to attend at least 4 panels. As you will soon see, there is plenty to choose from!

You can make reservations via website: https://www.scriptfiesta.pl/pl/sf/C_WSFO.SF/2003/program-14.-edycji-festiwalu-filmowego-script-fiesta

Each panel includes a link that will take you to the booking page. Please select the free tickets labeled “Student Warsaw Film School” – these will serve as proof of your attendance at the Festival. All panels are translated into English.

You can find the program below:

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 12 AM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: The Young Player and Viewer Taken Seriously. How to create engaging games and films addressing important issues for children and teenagers in a safe environment without underestimating their intelligence

Moderator: Sylwia Gomułka
Guests: Anna Oporska-Szybisz, Łukasz Rosiński, Piotr Jachowicz

Can creators truly communicate with young audiences today? A panel devoted to the challenges faced by creators of films and games aimed at children and teenagers. We will discuss how to talk about difficult issues in a responsible, yet engaging and attractive way. Does the young viewer need protection, or rather honesty and creative courage?

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 1:15 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: Cannes, Tallinn, ATAFF. What films are programmers of the most important short film festivals looking for?

Moderator: Filip Dučić
Guests: Gregory Coutaut (Cannes), Laurence Boyce (Tallinn Black Nights), Eva Demeter (ATAFF)

What does the journey of a short film to the world’s biggest festivals look like? Programmers from Cannes, Tallinn Black Nights and ATAFF will talk about what films attract their attention today, the most common mistakes made by creators, and what festivals are really looking for. This is a unique opportunity to look behind the scenes of the selection process. The meeting will be hosted by students of the Warsaw Film School.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: Censorship in the past, self-censorship today? Are former strategies of bypassing censorship useful in contemporary cinema?

Moderator: Ola Salwa
Guests: Krzysztof Zanussi, Janusz Zaorski, Magdalena Łazarkiewicz

How did creators deal with censorship during the communist era? And today – in the era of the market, platforms, and social pressure – do new forms of self-censorship appear? Distinguished directors and screenwriters will discuss the limits of creative freedom, compromises, and whether former ways of “speaking between the lines” still make sense.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 3:45 PM | Elektronik Cinema
DEBATE: What films are the heads of Polish film festivals waiting for?

Moderators: Julia Czerniak, Jonas Ceballo
Guests: Bartek Pulcyn (Warsaw Film Festival), Joanna Łapińska (Gdynia Film Festival), Kafka Jaworska (BellaTOFIFEST), Anna Kądziela-Grubman (Sopot Film Festival), Anna Serdiukow (Young and Film Festival), Dagmara Mołga (Summer Film Academy in Zwierzyniec), Małgorzata Sadowska (New Horizons IFF)

What are Polish film festivals looking for today? What topics, forms, and stories have the greatest chance of resonating with audiences? Directors of the most important Polish film events will talk about programming trends, changes in audiences, and how young creators can increase their chances of festival success. The meeting will be hosted by students of the Warsaw Film School.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 5:30 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PISF PANEL – A STRONG START. WHAT SYSTEM OF SUPPORT FOR DEBUTS IS BEST FOR POLISH CINEMATOGRAPHY BASED ON EUROPEAN MODELS?

Moderator: Anna Serdiukow
Guests: Kamila Dorbach (Director of PISF), Marta Galińska (Deputy Director of PISF), Urszula Antoniak (director, screenwriter, PISF expert)

How are Polish short films created and what support opportunities does the Polish Film Institute offer? During the meeting, PISF representatives will talk about the funding system, the most common mistakes in applications, and how to effectively prepare a project that has a chance of being produced.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 7:45 PM | Elektronik Cinema
Q&A after the screening of the series “Summerwater”

Moderator: Karolina Ciesielska
Guests: Anna Próchniak, John Donnelly

A meeting with the creators after the premiere screening of the episode of “Summerwater”, in which the main role is played by Anna Próchniak. A conversation about working on the adaptation, building the world of the series, and cooperation with an international crew.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 8:45 PM | Elektronik Cinema
Q&A after the film “Under the Grey Sky”

Moderator: Wojciech Tutaj
Guest: Mara Tamkovich

After the screening, we invite you to a conversation with the screenwriter and director. Mara Tamkovich will talk about the making of the film, inspirations, and the challenges related to the production of a project commenting on the situation of oppression in Belarus.

 

THURSDAY

Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 12 AM | Elektronik Cinema
KINO ŚWIAT PANEL: About the young, for the young. How to write a screenplay for a youth film?

Moderator: Karolina Wierzbińska
Guests: Radek Tomasik, Magdalena Nieć, Kacper Lisowski

How to tell stories about young protagonists in a way that is authentic and resonates with contemporary audiences? Creators and screenwriters will consider which topics are most important for young viewers today and how to avoid stereotypes in coming-of-age stories. A conversation about language, sensitivity, and the responsibility of creators.


Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 1:15 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PISF PANEL – How to obtain a PISF screenwriting scholarship? A practical guide for debutants

Moderator: Piotr Czerkawski
Guests: Ewa Zychowicz (PISF), Jakub Mikurda, Patrycja Kaznowska (PISF legal department), Adam Mioduszewski (PISF)

How to gain support for developing a screenplay? Representatives of the Polish Film Institute will talk about the screenwriting scholarship program, application rules, and the most common mistakes made by creators. The meeting will also be an opportunity to discuss legal aspects of working on a screenplay.


Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Elektronik Cinema
MKZ PARTNERZY PANEL: How to obtain the rights to a true story?

Moderator: Anna Robak
Guests: Katarzyna Kosicka-Polak (MKZ Partnerzy, My Way Studio), Katarzyna Warnke

Stories inspired by real events have fascinated creators and audiences for years. But how do you obtain the rights to someone’s story? What does the negotiation process look like and what legal pitfalls may await creators? A panel devoted to the behind-the-scenes of working on projects based on real events.


Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 3:45 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: How can Polish creators promote themselves abroad?

Moderator: Alicja Myśliwiec
Guests: Aleksandra Aleksander, Agatha Dominik, Anna Różalska, Anna Próchniak

An international career is a dream for many filmmakers today. But how do you break through on the global market? Actors, producers, and creators will talk about their experiences working abroad, cooperation with international partners, and strategies for building recognition outside Poland.


Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 5 PM | Elektronik Cinema
KINO ŚWIAT PANEL: “The Doll” and “Recipe for Christmas”. How to create films that convince a wider audience?

Moderator: Martyna Podolska
Guests: Dorota Eberhardt, Marcin Piasecki, Radek Drabik, Beata Pisula

How are films created that reach a wide audience? Creators and producers will talk about working on projects that combine artistic ambition with box office potential. A conversation about production strategy, literary adaptations, and how to build cinema that appeals to viewers.


Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 6:15 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: What was the strength of Kieślowski’s screenplays? 30th anniversary of the director’s death

Moderator: Rafał Pawłowski
Guests: Irena Strzałkowska, Krzysztof Zanussi, Ewa Skibińska

Why do Krzysztof Kieślowski’s screenplays continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers? Guests will recall their collaboration with the director and analyze what made his films so exceptional. A meeting devoted to screenwriting craft and the unique sensitivity of one of the most important creators of Polish cinema.


Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: Director–screenwriter, or vice versa?

Moderator: Igor Brejdygant
Guest: Sławomir Fabicki

Should a director write their own screenplays? Or are the best films born from collaboration between a screenwriter and a director? Renowned filmmakers will discuss different models of working on a film and where authorship really begins.


Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 8:45 PM | Elektronik Cinema
Competition Screening “Ministranci” + Q&A with director and screenwriter Piotr Domalewski

Moderator: Krzysztof Kwiatkowski
Guest: Piotr Domalewski

After the competition screening, we invite you to a conversation with the creator. The director and screenwriter will talk about inspirations, working on the screenplay, and how one of the most talked-about new Polish films was created.

FRIDAY

Friday, March 27, 2026 | 10 AM | Elektronik Cinema
Children’s Film Screening: “The Boy at the Edge of the World”

A morning family screening for younger audiences and anyone who enjoys adventure cinema full of emotions. The film tells the story of an extraordinary journey of a young hero who must face the unknown world and discover his own courage.


Friday, March 27, 2026 | 12 AM | Elektronik Cinema
YOUNG HORIZONS INDUSTRY PANEL: What does the audience want? How research and audience design support screenwriting

Moderator: Anna Ewa Dziedzic
Guests: Maria Wierzbicka-Tarkowska, Monika Łuczyk, Mikołaj Pokromski

Can a story be designed with the audience in mind? A panel devoted to how audience research and audience design tools help screenwriters and producers better understand viewers’ needs. A conversation about combining creativity with audience insight.


Friday, March 27, 2026 | 1:15 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: What to watch out for when signing contracts? How to talk, what to negotiate, and what to avoid?

Moderator: Brunon Hawryluk
Guests: Joanna Szymańska, Dr Iga Bałos, Dr Katarzyna Jasińska

A first contract can determine the future of a project—or an entire career. Experts will discuss key contractual clauses, the most common legal pitfalls, and how to conduct negotiations in the film industry to protect your rights as a creator.

Friday, March 27, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: How to convince a star? What actors, their agents, and casting directors look for in screenplays

Moderator: Kuba Armata
Guests: Konrad Eleryk, Marta Ambrosiewicz, Krzysztof Łączak, Piotr Bartuszek

Why do some scripts attract top names while others end up at the bottom of the pile? Actors, agents, and casting professionals will discuss what elements of a story capture attention and make them want to join a project.


Friday, March 27, 2026 | 3:45 PM | Elektronik Cinema
MACIEJ ŚLESICKI’S CREATIVE MARKETPLACE

Moderator: Maciej Ślesicki

A unique meeting with Maciej Ślesicki – creator, producer, and educator who has co-created the history of Polish cinema for years. During this special session, the director will comment on screenplay concepts, confronting their authors with his remarks. Because honest feedback is the only way to make an honest film.


Friday, March 27, 2026 | 5:30 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: “Glina. The Return”. How to return to a world loved by audiences after years?

Moderator: Radosław Czyż
Guests: Dariusz Jabłoński, Nela Maciejewska, Aleksandra Sochacka, Maciej Maciejewski

Returning to cult series is one of the greatest challenges for creators. How to refresh a story without losing its spirit? A panel about the making of the new installment of “Glina” and how to revisit characters loved by audiences after years.


Friday, March 27, 2026 | 6:45 PM | Elektronik Cinema
Film screening + Q&A with the creators after “Dom Dobry”

Moderator: Aneta Kyzioł
Guest: Wojciech Smarzowski

After the screening, we invite you to meet the creator. A conversation with director and screenwriter Wojciech Smarzowski about the making of the film, inspirations, and how one of the most talked-about Polish productions was created.


Friday, March 27, 2026 | 9:20 PM | Elektronik Cinema
MUSIC PANEL: Music videos, vlogs, and reels as artistic tools

Moderator: Katarzyna Rodek
Guest: Mery Spolsky

Have short video forms become a new field of creative expression? A panel on how artists use music videos, vlogs, and social media formats to build their own visual language and reach new audiences.


Friday, March 27, 2026 | 10 PM | Elektronik Cinema
Music Video Night

Moderator: Katarzyna Rodek

A late-night screening of the most interesting Polish music videos of the season. A showcase of forms, styles, and aesthetics demonstrating how dynamically this genre is developing.

 

SATURDAY

Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 12 AM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: The screenwriter between film and video games

Moderator: Alek Sajnach
Guests: Arek Borowik, Michał A. Zieliński, Łukasz Palkowski

The boundaries between cinema and video games are increasingly blurred. How does writing for film differ from writing for games? How to build interactive narratives, and do film experiences help in designing game stories? Creators will discuss the challenges and opportunities of working at the intersection of these two rapidly developing media.


Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 1:15 PM | Elektronik Cinema
SCREENING: “The X-Files”

A special screening of the first episode of the cult series that forever changed storytelling in television. An opportunity to revisit the atmosphere of mystery and tension that made it one of the most important productions in TV history.

MASTERCLASS: Frank Spotnitz – screenwriter of “The X-Files”

Moderator: Bartosz Czartoryski
Guest: Frank Spotnitz

A meeting with one of the most important screenwriters of contemporary television. He will talk about working on “The X-Files”, building series mythology, and creating stories that attract millions of viewers worldwide.

Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 3:30 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: How to overcome creative block? What to do when the blank page refuses to be filled?

Moderator: Brunon Hawryluk
Guests: Maciej Słowiński, Wiktoria Kwoka, Cezary Orłowski

Every creator faces creative block at some point. How to deal with it? Are there ways to regain creativity? Screenwriters will share their experiences and methods for returning to writing when inspiration disappears.

Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 9 PM | Elektronik Cinema
SCREENING: 25 years of the film “Coyote's Morning”

A screening of one of the most iconic Polish comedies of recent decades.

PANEL: 25th anniversary of “Coyote's Morning”

Moderator: Dawid Muszyński
Guests: Mikołaj Korzyński, Tomasz Dedek

A meeting with the creators celebrating the anniversary of the film’s premiere. Memories from the set, production anecdotes, and a discussion about why the film became a classic.

 

SUNDAY

Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 12:00 | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: How to write an audio drama / radio series?

Moderator: Maria Czok
Guests: Magdalena Wleklik, Katarzyna Szczerba, Robert Gonera

Although we live in the age of images, audio storytelling is experiencing a renaissance. Fiction podcasts and radio dramas attract millions of listeners worldwide. How to write a story that works only through sound?

Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 1:15 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: How does Steven Spielberg work with a screenplay?

Moderator: Andrzej Sołtysik
Guests: Marek Brodzki, James V. Hart

What does the process of working on a screenplay look like for one of the most important directors in film history? A behind-the-scenes look at developing stories and collaboration between director and screenwriter.

Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: Netflix screenplay guidelines

Moderator: Katarzyna Czajka-Kominiarczuk
Guests: Wiktor Piątkowski, Marta Korycka

Streaming platforms have changed storytelling. How are scripts developed for global audiences? What elements are crucial today?

Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 3:45 PM | Elektronik Cinema
PANEL: Film therapy. How to cope with pressure and keep going when it feels impossible?

Moderator: Martyna Harland
Guests: Robert Milczarek, Korek Bojanowski

A discussion about mental resilience in creative work and dealing with pressure, criticism, and uncertainty.

Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 5 PM | Elektronik Cinema
SCREENING: “Dracula”

MASTERCLASS: James V. Hart

Moderator: Marta Bałaga
Guest: James V. Hart

A meeting with a legendary Hollywood screenwriter.

Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 9 PM | Elektronik Cinema
SCREENING: “Kabul” (episodes 1–2)

A special screening of an international series about events in Afghanistan.

Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 10:40 PM | Elektronik Cinema
Q&A after the screening of “Kabul”

Moderator: Łukasz Maciejewski
Guest: Olga Chajdas

A conversation about working on an international production and tackling a difficult and current subject.

 

 

We encourage you to take part in the festival - attendance at all events is free of charge for you!