Malta Festival invites you to a unique film series, “Women’s Cinema,” featuring free screenings and discussions to be held from June 20 to 28 at the Old Market Square in Poznań. While the spotlight will be on excellent films, what will truly define the unique character of the event are in-depth, late-night conversations with acclaimed female (and male) Polish filmmakers. Among the invited guests are directors Kinga Dębska, Agnieszka Holland, Agnieszka Smoczyńska, Maria Zbąska, as well as actresses Maria Dębska, Dorota Kolak, and Marta Ojrzyńska. They will be joined by experts from SWPS University, who will enrich the presented films with new contexts and a multitude of meanings. This will be a rare opportunity to meet and talk in such a special place – not only about cinema.

“Women’s Cinema” marks a new chapter in the festival’s history, which in its refreshed format encourages dialogue. The programme reflects Malta Festival’s role as a platform for intellectual exchange. Each screening will conclude with a conversation featuring not only the filmmakers themselves but also special guests – SWPS University experts in psychology, cultural studies, and social practice. The discussions will be moderated by film journalist and commentator Anna Serdiukow, who encourages:

Each screening will turn into a polyphonic exchange of thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Together, we’ll reflect on what resonates most in these stories – and why.

This year, it is films – especially films created by women – that have become the starting point for important conversations: about intimacy and violence, coming-of-age and loneliness, addiction, social class, sexuality, and exclusion.

The meetings will take place in a cozy, home-like atmosphere, with comfort provided by VOX – a Polish interior design brand long associated with Malta Festival and committed to cultural activities.

All films will be screened with English subtitles, making the programme accessible to international audiences.

Screenings will take place at 9:00 PM in the Quadro Passage at the Old Market Square. Immediately following each screening, the organizers invite audiences to join the discussions with the directors of the featured films.

Free admission passes can be collected starting from the day before each screening and on the day of the screening itself. Each person may collect a maximum of two passes per evening.

• June 20 (Friday) – “Imago,” dir. Olga Chajdas

Guests: Olga Chajdas (director), Justyna Wasilewska (actress), Dr. Anna Kubiak – psychologist, SWPS University

• June 21 (Saturday) – “This Is Not My Film,” dir. Maria Zbąska

Guests: Maria Zbąska (director), Krzysztof Wiśniewski (cinematographer), Dr. Aleksandra Plata – psychologist, sexologist, SWPS University Clinic

• June 22 (Sunday) – “Other People,” dir. Aleksandra Terpińska

Guests: Aleksandra Terpińska (director), Marta Ojrzyńska (actress), Dr. Anna Kubiak – psychologist, SWPS University

• June 23 (Monday) – “The Lure,” dir. Agnieszka Smoczyńska

Guests: Agnieszka Smoczyńska (director), Robert Bolesto (screenwriter), Marta Mazurek (actress), Dr. Agnieszka Trawicka – psychologist, sexologist, SWPS University Clinic

• June 24 (Tuesday) – “Playing Hard,” dir. Kinga Dębska

Guests: Kinga Dębska (director), Dorota Kolak (actress), Julia Bączek – psychologist, psychotherapist, SWPS University Clinic

• June 25 (Wednesday) – “Autumn Girl,” dir. Katarzyna Klimkiewicz

Guests: Katarzyna Klimkiewicz (director), Maria Dębska (actress), Katarzyna Kierzek – psychologist, sexologist, SWPS University Clinic

• June 26 (Thursday) – “A Woman Alone,” dir. Agnieszka Holland

Guests: Agnieszka Holland (director)

• June 27 (Friday) – “Europa Europa,” dir. Agnieszka Holland

No post-screening discussion

• June 28 (Saturday) – “Salt Lake,” dir. Katarzyna Rosłaniec

Guests: Katarzyna Rosłaniec (director), Katarzyna Butowtt (actress), Dr. Katarzyna Grunt-Mejer – psychologist, sexologist, SWPS University