We’ve learned the program of one of the most important documentary and animated film festivals. As usual, there is no shortage of Polish representation in the competitions and non-competitive segments. One strong highlight will be the special retrospective “Film and Protest – Popular Uprisings in The Cold War”.

DOK Leipzig is one of the leading events in the world of documentary and animated film. The latest productions from several dozen countries are presented each year in Leipzig. This year's program includes 225 films and VR projects from approximately 60 countries, including Poland.

Vika! by Agnieszka Zwiefka, who has been invited to the Audience Competition, will be vying for the public's attention.The documentary revolves around Vika, who is 84 years old and is one of the oldest DJs in the world. Through her approach to life, she escapes the stereotypical perception of senior citizens. It's a bittersweet documentary musical about committment to following one's own path and fighting for one's dreams.

The non-competitive section Panorama: Central and Eastern Europe will feature Weronika Szyma's Blue. The animated film's main characters – mother and daughter – are trying to find their place after the father leaves. They spend time idly on a metaphorical empty beach. They fight their uncertainty and longing. The image of the sea comes back rhythmically. It is a promise of freedom but also a scary different world, far from the warm sand.

Two Polish animated films have been invited to the international animated film competition. The protagonists of the first film are: a cat lover, Jesus coming down from the cross, and carol singers with pitchforks in their hands in a snowy and ice-covered setting. Zima by Kasumi Ozeki and Tomek Popakul is a psychedelic journey to a small fishing village where the behaviours, customs, and vices of the Polish countryside come into focus as if through a lens. It's a horror-like animation in the convention of magical realism.

In turn, Barbara Rupik's Such Miracles Do Happen tells the story of a different village. To the surprise of its residents, the stone statue of the Virgin Mary suddenly moves, leaves the shrine, and walks away. Soon, more animated sculptures join the silent march. Such miracles do happen, after all, but a little girl with no bones is most fascinated by them.

We wrote about the special retrospective “Film and Protest – Popular Uprisings in The Cold War” here. Its programme also includes Polish productions, among them: The Birth of The Solidarity and We Summon You by Bohdan Kosinski, Exit by Malgorzata Bieńkowska-Buhlman, The Orange Alternative by Mirosław Dembiński, Undefeated by Marek Drążewski, and the animated film Downhill by Marian Cholerka.

The 66th edition of DOK Leipzig will be held on 8–15 October.

The entire program of this year's edition can be found on its official website.

SEPTEMBER 2023