From period architecture to modern cityscapes, and from forests and mountains to the coastline, Poland offers a wide range of settings within relatively short distances, according to the Polish Film Institute (PISF). At the center of the country’s production offer is the Institute itself. Based in Warsaw, it is Poland’s national film body, supporting Polish film from development to production and running the national production incentive.
The headline is a 30% cash rebate on eligible Polish production costs. Set in national law and funded directly from the state budget, the rebate is administered by the Institute. It covers feature films, animation, documentaries and series, including fiction, animated and documentary series. It is also open to Polish productions, international co-productions and production services for foreign projects. In addition, at least 10% of each year’s budget is reserved for animation.
Access follows clear rules. International producers need a Polish partner or a company registered in Poland. A service company can only receive support when neither the producer nor any co-producer is based in Poland. Projects must also pass a cultural qualification test, which looks at Polish or European cultural heritage, a story set in Poland, and the use of Polish crews, service providers and film infrastructure. Minimum running times and spending thresholds apply as well; feature films, for instance, must run at least 70 minutes. Support is capped at PLN 15 million (about €3.5 million) per production and PLN 20 million (about €4.6 million) per applicant each calendar year. Applications are handled in the order they arrive, until the year’s budget is used up.
Beyond the rebate, the Institute also connects producers with the regions. Through its portal, Polish Film Commission, it presents a network of regional film commissions and funds that support productions at every stage. For example, the Łódź Film Commission, set up in 2009 as the first of its kind in Poland, helps with locations and permits, free of charge until a production decides to shoot there. Similarly, the Kraków Film Commission has helped productions access public locations across Małopolska since 2008. Meanwhile, Wrocław, Poznań, Mazovia Warsaw and Silesia run their own commissions.
A network of regional film funds adds its own money. They usually open competitions once a year and can cover up to 50% of a film’s budget, with higher shares possible for documentaries and animation. In several regions, including Łódź, Małopolska, Mazovia, Silesia and Lower Silesia, the commission and the fund work side by side.
Taken together, a national rebate, regional commissions on the ground and local funds give producers several routes into Poland. Behind them, the Institute’s portal offers access to experienced crews and an ecosystem that ranges from studios to VFX.
Read more: Cinema & Video International Issue #209
