POLISH FILMS AT THE JIHLAVA INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
As many as seven Polish productions have been selected for this year’s Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival (Ji.hlava IDFF) – one of Europe’s leading documentary film festivals and the largest event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe.
The 28th edition of the festival will take place from October 24 to November 2, 2025, in the Czech city of Jihlava. For nearly three decades, Ji.hlava has been bringing together filmmakers, producers, critics, and audiences from around the world, creating a space for reflection on contemporary issues and the role of documentary cinema.
In the main competition Opus Bonum, which showcases 18 of the best new feature-length documentaries from around the world, Polish director Natalia Koniarz will present her film “Silver”- a powerful portrayal of miners and their families living in Bolivia’s highest silver mine. The film reveals a harsh reality shaped by relentless labor, danger, and deep social inequality.
Beyond the main competition, Ji.hlava features several other important sections that will also include Polish films. In Constellations, which highlights acclaimed titles from international festivals, two Polish productions will be screened. The first, “The Town That Drove Away” by Grzegorz Piekarski and Natalia Pietsch, is a moving story about the disappearance of the ancient city of Hasankeyf in Kurdistan, submerged as a result of a massive dam project. A symbol of progress deprives residents of their homes, identity, and independence, forcing them to adapt to a new imposed order. In the face of irreversible loss, they are left only with memory, pride, and fragile dignity. The second film, “My Dear Theo” by Alisa Kovalenko, is an intimate portrait of a woman who becomes a soldier in wartime. Her inner dialogue with her son transforms into a profound meditation on love, sacrifice, and resilience.
In the Testimonies section, dedicated to films addressing social, political, and environmental themes, Polish director Joanna Grudzińska will present “Poland versus History”. The documentary revisits the controversy surrounding Jan Tomasz Gross’s book “Neighbors”, raising difficult questions about memory, guilt, and historical responsibility.
The First Lights competition, showcasing outstanding debut and sophomore documentary features, will host the international premiere of “Unearthed” by Anna Szczepańska. Following the trail of a short documentary by Andrzej Brzozowski, the filmmaker spent fourteen years exploring the archaeological excavations near the former Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. Her film uncovers not only the story of the recovered artifacts but also the complex relationship between history, memory, and the present.
In the Virtual Reality section, Joanna Popińska will present “The Choice - Chapters 2 & 3”, a continuation of her award-winning VR experience. Through minimalist animation and real-life testimonies, the project explores reproductive rights and personal stories that evoke empathy and challenge stigma.
In the national competition section Czech Joy, which highlights the latest Czech documentary productions, Weronika Mliczewska’s film “Child of Dust” will have its premiere. During the screening, audiences will accompany Sang - the film’s protagonist - on a moving journey to find his father, as he confronts the painful legacy of war and seeks answers about his own identity.
About the festival
Founded in 1997, the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival (Ji.hlava IDFF) has grown into one of the most important meeting places for creators of auteur documentary cinema. The festival is a member of the Doc Alliance network, which brings together seven key European documentary film festivals. Winners of Ji.hlava are eligible for pre-selection for the Academy Awards® and the European Film Awards, making it one of the most significant events on the global documentary film calendar.
More information about the festival and the sections featuring Polish films can be found here.