The 23rd Millennium Docs Against Gravity Festival runs in cinemas from 8 to 17, May and online from 19, May to 1, June.

Let's go on a quest! Millennium Docs Against Gravity will visit seven cities, bringing a programme comprised of nearly 180 international documentaries. This year's theme refers both to the search for the right form of storytelling, which is an integral part of the work of documentary filmmakers, and to the search for knowledge about the world which characterizes our audience. Together with the festival team, filmmakers and audiences also embark on a different quest: mutual understanding and shared values in times of polarization and uncertainty. We seek solutions to the problems we perceive in reality—geopolitical, ecological, social, and economic.

Films don't change the world, but they provide a fresh perspective and encourage action. We believe that people who watch them often go on to change reality.

This year – a few important highlights from our school!
What's in the programme?

SHORT FILM COMPETITION

* HEADS IN THE CLOUDS

Film synopsis: Two friends break into a disused, empty swimming pool. Instead of water, they fill it with memories and fun from their hometowns, Kyiv and Kharkiv.

Credits:
direction: Mieszko Chomka
cinematography: Zofia Sobczak
editing: Wiktoria Szczepanek
production management: Martyna Hernik
artistic supervision: Marta Prus, Jacek Petrycki, Maciej Drygas
cast: Masza Shmahliuk, Vika Farrakhova
production: Lodz Film School
Film at festival website: mdag.pl/23/pl/warszawa/movie/Bujajac-w-oblokach

* I’M PAINTING A SELF-PORTRAIT, BUT ALL I SEE IS MY SISTER’S FACE

Film synopsis: An animated short documentary about Alicja and Bożena Wahl, identical twin sisters and visual artists. Based on excerpts selected from over 450 diaries kept by Alicja for nearly 50 years and the artistic work of both sisters, the film explores sisterhood, shared creation and a bond which shaped their private and artistic lives. Alicja’s diaries – an intimate, ongoing dialogue with Bożena – open a window to their world. Blending documentary perspective and animation, the film gives voice to artists whose legacy deserves to be remembered.

Credits:
screenplay and direction: Helena Stańczyk
animation: Helena Stańczyk, Dante Jaczewska, Helena Król
artistic supervision: Mariusz Wilczyński, Agata Gorządek
production management: Natalia Demczuk
voice: Magdalena Cielecka
production: Lodz Film School
Film at festival website: mdag.pl/23/pl/warszawa/movie/Maluje-swoj-autoportret%252C-a-wychodzi-mi-moja-siostra

* MENTOR

Synopsis: The film tells a story of a mysterious boxer training in Warsaw's Praga district. A group of his friends from a sports club speculate about who he really is, and their collective perceptions of his life confront reality.

Credits:
direction, editing: Krzysztof Tomaszewski
cinematography: Stefan Żółtowski
production management: Julia Sowa
artistic supervision: Martin Rath
production: Lodz Film School
Film at the festival website: mdag.pl/23/pl/warszawa/movie/Mentor

Our students' films will also be presented during Pole Position Pitching as part of MDAG Industry.

More info about Pole Position Pitching: mdag.pl/23/pl/warszawa/event/Pole-Position-%25E2%2580%2593-Pitching

The programme includes the latest films by our graduates and lecturers, so we especially recommend them to your attention:

* CONFESSIONS OF A MOLE dir. Mo Tan (film in the Intimate Stories section)
This documentary film was directed by our graduate Mo Tan and edited by our directing graduate Marcin Strauchold. Among the producers are Piotr Matysiak, lecturer in the Cinematography Faculty, and Tatiana Matysiak, Head of the Camera and Lighting Department. Production was managed by Katarzyna Miąsik, a production graduate.

The film will open the Łódź edition of the 23rd Millennium Docs Against Gravity!

We invite you to the screening during the opening at the National Cultural Centre (Odeon Hall) on 8th, May at 7:30 p.m.

Director and producer Tatiana Matysiak will participate in the post-film Q&A.

Screening calendar and tickets available for purchase at: mdag.pl/23/pl/lodz/calendar/show/2026-05-08

* TWIN DAYS, dir. Sara Szymańska, Nadia Szymańska (film in Short Film Competition)

Sara and Nadia are graduates of the Cinematography and Television Production Department: Sara in Animation and Special Effects, and Nadia in Cinematography. The film follows their journey from Los Angeles to Twinsburg, Ohio, where the world's largest twin reunion takes place.

Film at festival website: mdag.pl/23/pl/warszawa/movie/Twin-Days 


* CLOSURE dir. Michał Marczak (film in the section In the Name of the Father and the Son) It is the Polish premiere of the documentary film whose sound designer and co-producer is Katarzyna Szczerba, a doctoral student and Head of the Sound Engineering Department at our School. The film was edited by Anna Garncarczyk, our editing graduate.

Film at festival website: mdag.pl/23/pl/warszawa/movie/Bez-konca

After the May long weekend, we invite you to an excellent documentary cinema from Millennium Docs Against Gravity!

See you at the festival!

1 – festival press materials
2 – still from the film HEADS IN THE CLOUDS
3 – still from the film I’M PAINTING A SELF-PORTRAIT, BUT ALL I SEE IS MY SISTER’S FACE
4 – still from the film MENTOR