On 4 May, the eighteenth edition of the Mastercard OFF CAMERA International Festival of Independent Cinema came to an end. Once again, the festival decorated the city of Kraków, Poland, with a rich selection of debut works by upcoming filmmakers from all over the world. With events and screenings spread across the entire city, Kraków lived and breathed cinema for ten sunny days.
In the 18 years since its foundation, Mastercard OFF CAMERA has established itself as a connoisseur of independent cinema. The films screened throughout the event elevate diverse voices, address pressing social injustices, and encourage reflection on the world around us. This year’s edition was no different. As stated by the festival’s artistic director, Grzegorz Stępniak, the selection of films aimed to mirror the complexity and ambivalence of the times we live in, capturing both the good and the bad.
At its core, OFF CAMERA features two main competitions: the Polish Feature Film Competition and the International Dramatic Competition, ‘Making Way’. The former highlights the boldest Polish productions, with participants competing for a prize of PLN 100,000. The later presents ten directorial debuts or sophomore features from around the globe, all vying for the Andrzej Wajda Kraków Film Award—worth USD 25,000 and named after one of the greatest Polish directors of all time.
The two flagship competitions aren’t the only honors awarded at OFF CAMERA. Each year, the organizers welcome a special guest from the world of film and art to receive the ‘Against the Current’ award—an honor given to those who challenge artistic norms and push creative boundaries. This year’s recipient was Mia Wasikowska, whose filmography stands out for unconventional role choices and its balance between commercial and independent cinema.
Wasikowska accepted the award on 25 April during the festival’s ceremonial opening. In a follow-up interview, she reflected on her Polish heritage. Raised by a Polish mother, Mia spoke fondly of her ancestry, making the experience of receiving the award in Poland all the more meaningful. Despite this positive association with the country, she recalled the cultural shock of visiting Poland at age eight, during its early transition from communism. Coming from blissful Australia, it was her first time witnessing homelessness—an unsettling memory for a child, counterbalanced by the delight of discovering that Poland already had McDonald’s, which Mia recalls later reporting to a friend.
As the 18th edition comes to a close, both juries and audiences have chosen their favorites—now is the time to look back and reflect on the role of independent cinema. Festivals like OFF CAMERA champion films that push creative boundaries, transcend genres, and give voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. This year’s winners of the two main competitions captivated the jury with their unique storytelling. Paweł Podolski’s Życie dla początkujących (Life for Beginners) won the Polish Feature Film Competition, while Singaporean filmmaker Nelicia Low claimed the top prize in the International Dramatic Competition ‘Making Way’ for her directorial debut Pierce.
Moving forward, OFF CAMERA will continue to elevate emerging filmmakers and spotlight narratives that resonate with depth and originality. In the meantime, Kraków’s cinephiles will impatiently anticipate the festival’s next edition.
Words by Luiza Świerzawska
Support the Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.