Krzysztof Ptak was the cinematographer for many groundbreaking works of Polish cinema, including Maciej Dejczer's "300 Miles to Heaven," Andrzej Wajda's "Miss Nobody," Jan Jakub Kolski's "History of Cinema in Popielawy," „Pornography”, „Jasminum”, Wojciech Marczewski's "Weiser," Piotr Trzaskalski's "Edi," Krzysztof Krauze's "My Nikifor," and Wojciech Smarzowski's "The Dark House".

Born on April 3, 1954, in Sulejów, he was a graduate of the Cinematography Department of the Lodz Film School, graduating in 1979. While still a student, he worked with Grzegorz Królikiewicz and Bogdan Dziworski. His feature debut was Leszek Wosiewicz's "Smak wody" (1980), but lacking a professional license, he was not credited as the sole cinematographer. "Formally, the cinematographer was someone who didn't even show up on set," the director recalled.


Over the following decades, he worked with leading Polish filmmakers, pioneering new principles in the art of cinematography. He was one of the first cinematographers in Poland to use digital technology. "History of Cinema in Popielawy" from 1998 was his first feature film to utilize computer technology, while "Pornography" from 2003 was the first Polish film shot entirely with a High Definition camera.

He has received numerous awards for his work, including seven Polish Film Awards (Eagles) for best cinematography: " History of Cinema in Popielawy" (1998), "Weiser" (2000), "Pornography" (2003), "My Nikifor" (2004), "Jasminum" (2006), "The Dark House" (2009), and "Papusza" (2013). He has also won three awards at the Polish Feature Film Festival for his cinematography in "Kornblumenblau" (1988), "300 miles to heaven" (1989), and "Edi" (2002), as well as a Golden Frog at the Camerimage Festival for his cinematography in "Edi."

Krzysztof Ptak was a lecturer at the Lodz Film School and numerous European film schools, a member of the Polish Film Academy and the Polish Filmmakers Association. "He co-created the standards of the modern cinematographer's profession, combining traditional craftsmanship with the latest technological advancements," the Polish Filmmakers Association pointed out in its motion to honour the artist with a star in the Lodz Walk of Fame.

Krzysztof Ptak passed away on August 19, 2016. The unveiling of the star on the 10th anniversary of the cinematographer's death will be a tribute to the achievements of one of the greatest cinematographers in the history of Polish cinema and his enduring connection with Łódź. Following the ceremony, we invite you to a remembrance meeting with the participation of Piotr Dzięcioł, Piotr Śliskowski, and Piotr Trzaskalski, as well as a screening of the film "Edi," directed by Piotr Trzaskalski. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the cinema of the National Centre for Film Culture, and will be hosted by Katarzyna Taras.


Schedule of events:
4 p.m. - Unveiling of the star by Krzysztof Ptak's family
5 p.m. - Remembrance meeting with the participation of Piotr Dzięcioł, Piotr Śliskowski, and Piotr Trzaskalski at the NCKF Cinema, Odeon Hall (host: Katarzyna Taras)
6:30 p.m. - Screening of the film "Edi" directed by Piotr Trzaskalski (tickets: PLN 5).

Krzysztof Ptak's star was funded by the Polish Filmmakers Association.

Text and graphic design: press materials from the event organizer