Patrycja Czarny, Barbara Orlicz-Szczypuła and Katarzyna Wilk
Krzysztof Gierat, founder of the Krakow Film Foundation, has stepped down as the organisation’s president in favour of Barbara Orlicz-Szczypuła, who has held the position of Vice-President. Katarzyna Wilk and Patrycja Czarny are also appointed to the management board, thus creating a fully female team. Gierat will continue as Director of Krakow Film Festival and will sit on the Programme Council of the Foundation.
New foundation head Orlicz-Szczypuła has been on the board of directors since 2006 and for many years has been associated with the Krakow Film Festival, as director of the programme office. She is the director of the KFF Sales & Promotion Agency, the producer of the Polish Docs, Polish Shorts and Polish Animations projects, and is editor of the English-language magazine “Focus on Poland,” addressed to the documentary and short film industry.
Orlicz-Szczypuła’s colleague Katarzyna Wilk takes over as co-VP of the Foundation. She has been Vice-President of the KFF Sales & Promotion Agency and the co-ordinator of the Polish Docs project, dedicated to promoting Polish documentary cinema abroad. Katarzyna Wilk is also the head of the KFF Industry – the largest Polish industry event, dedicated to documentary, animated and short films.
The other Vice-President is Patrycja Czarny who has been associated with the Krakow Film Foundation since 2004, where she acts as the assistant director of the programme office. She runs the Distribution and Event Organisation Department at the Krakow Film Foundation.
Olga Lany also joined the Foundation’s team as the executive director. She is a culture manager with extensive experience in the field of event organisation, marketing and promotion. As the production manager, she implemented festivals, concerts, performances in Poland and abroad and led teams promoting and organising events at cultural institutions.
Comments new head Orlicz-Szczypuła: “Even though I’ve been working for the Foundation for a long time, the new position is very challenging for me. I’m happy to have a great team with me. Katarzyna and Patrycja are the best. Also, Krzysztof stays as a festival director. So, a strong and experienced team will allow us to continue our work on promoting Polish films internationally.”
Explains the outgoing Gierat: “I made my decision to resign after careful consideration and numerous discussions. I would like to concentrate on the festival and other related activities. I am handing over the reins to the current Vice President, who co-authored the Foundation from the very beginning, giving an original shape to many of our activities and building a fully professional team that allows creating the new management board. The Foundation will be run by women!”
The 61st Krakow Film Festival will take place from May 30 to June 6 2021.
