“TRAINS” RELEASED THEATRICALLY IN THE U.S. AND GERMANY

The internationally acclaimed documentary "Trains", directed by Maciej J. Drygas, has entered theatrical distribution in both the United States and Germany.

The German premiere took place on October 2, following an earlier screening for Berlin audiences during the filmPOLSKA Festival in September. The film is being distributed in Germany by dejavu-film, with screenings scheduled in major cities including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Mannheim, and Hanover. The full schedule is available on the distributor’s website.

In the United States, distribution is handled by EPF Media, a company specializing in documentaries and independent cinema. The U.S. premiere was held on October 2 at the Maysles Documentary Center in New York City, followed by screenings at DCTV’s Firehouse. Director Maciej J. Drygas and producer Vita Želakevičiūtė are attending events and discussions organized between October 2–5. Starting mid-October, the film will also be shown on the West Coast, including Los Angeles, where screenings will be accompanied by Q&A sessions and press meetings.

The U.S. theatrical release is part of a broader promotional campaign accompanying the film’s Academy Awards submission in the Best Feature Documentary category. Having previously won the Grand Prize at IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam), "Trains" has now officially entered the Oscar race.

"Trains" is a powerful visual essay constructed entirely from authentic archival footage, offering an evocative journey through the history of the 20th century. It portrays the trajectory of humankind — “from creation to destruction, from labor to industrial machinery, from hope to despair” — merging the technological imagery of the railway with the human experience. The result is a poetic reflection on the condition of humanity in an age of rapid transformation. Formally rigorous and entirely wordless, the film relies on the strength of its editing and imagery. Through its visual rhythm and emotional depth, "Trains" unfolds as a meditative yet deeply moving exploration where the fascination with progress intertwines with human tragedy — beauty interlaced with pain and loss.

The film’s Oscar campaign has received financial support from the Polish Film Institute under the Promotion of Polish Film Abroad program. IKH Pictures Promotion oversees the film’s international promotion.

Follow "Trains" on Instagram: @trainsdoc.

 

Press release