New dates, motto, first program announcements.

After a successful 12th edition that took place in hybrid form in August, attracting over 5000 attendees in Poznań, it’s time to focus on 13. Short Waves Festival that is scheduled to last 7 days from 14 to 20 June 2021. We will be continuing to host the festival in summer season, having the attendee safety in mind, as well as due to the popularity of open air screenings that we have observed during this year’s edition that was moved form March to August. The motto of 2021 edition is going to be Mirror Mirror, and the works on its visual identity are in full swing! In terms of first program announcements – the geographic focus is going to be dedicated to the cinematography of Austria.

This year, as usual, we encourage filmmakers to submit their works to be considered for competition program in 5 categories. Call for entries commenced on October 1st and is going to last till March 14th 2021. Films may be submitted via FilmFreeway platform.

International Competition

International Competition is SWF’s main competition presenting the best productions from all over the world, lasting up to 30 minutes, created no earlier than October 2019. The topic selection, form and genre are not subject to rules and regulations. The competition’s main objective is to construct a diverse program that is going to captivate our audience through a fresh perspective on contemporary cinema and unique cinematic voice.

Polish Competition

Polish Competition is dedicated exclusively to films produced in Poland, lasting up to 30 minutes. The topic selection, form and genre are not subject to rules and regulations. The competition’s main objective is to present a review of the most recent short film forms, as seen through the lens of Polish filmmakers and, at the same time, to provide them with an opportunity to launch an international career by having their works screened at our festival.

Polish Experimental Short Film Competition

Polish Experimental Short Film Competition is a competition of short films at the intersection of cinema and video-art, that last up to 30 minutes and were created no earlier than October 2019, without any other additional formal and genre limitations.

Dances with Camera

Dances with Camera is an international competition of short films joined by the language of dance and movement. The competition will include festival productions from all over the world, presenting viewers with endless possibilities that come with physical expression, conveyed through a film narrative, regardless of genre and form – from fiction, through documentary, animation, to experimental projects and choreographic impressions.

Urban View

Urban View is an international competition of films that focus on architecture and urban design, considering it as an art form, but also examining its social, cultural and economic aspects. The role of a building, street, park or object does not need to be limited to set design or background and may be, in fact, central to film’s plot. Urban View competition allows, fiction, documentaries, animations, music videos and experimental films.

The competition winners are going to be selected by an international jury, while the audience present at competition screenings is going to decide on the Audience Award winners.

We encourage you to follow the current news from the world of short cinema and Short Waves Festival through our official social media channels:

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Media contact: Karolina Sienkiewicz | PR and Communications Short Waves Festival

media@adarte.pl / phone: 600 271 634