Poland enjoyed a remarkable presence at the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival held from 15th to 21st June, with films showcased across the International Competition, Mosaic, and Atlas sections, highlighting the diversity of contemporary Polish cinema.

The festival’s highest distinction in the International Competition—the Golden Conch for Best Documentary of the Festival—was awarded to Silver, directed by Natalia Koniarz and produced by Maciej Kubicki. The award was presented by the Honourable Governor of Maharashtra during the closing ceremony at Ravindra Natya Bhawan in Mumbai and was accepted on behalf of the filmmakers by Małgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak, Director of the Polish Institute in New Delhi. The jury recognized Silver for its powerful storytelling and outstanding cinematic craftsmanship.

In the International Competition, Poland was represented by two acclaimed documentaries:

Silver (dir. Natalia Koniarz), an immersive portrait of life surrounding Bolivia’s legendary silver mines.

Julia Pirotte – Beauty and Strength (dir. Ewa Pytka), a documentary celebrating the extraordinary life of Polish-Jewish photographer, Resistance fighter, and witness to history Julia Pirotte.

The prestigious Mosaic section featured Trains (Pociągi) by Maciej J. Drygas, an award-winning archival documentary that creates a poignant collective portrait of twentieth-century Europe through evocative images of trains and their passengers.

The Atlas section showcased two contemporary Polish short films:

Balloons (Balony) (dir. Jakub Michnikowski), a compelling fiction short exploring family tensions and economic hardship in rural Poland.

Blue Bird (dir. Stanisław Buczkowski), a moving animated film reflecting on loneliness, belonging, and the universal search for acceptance.

As part of the Polish Film Package, Trains, Balloons, and Blue Bird were presented during a dedicated screening at the NFDC-NMIC Complex in Mumbai on 20 June 2026, introducing Indian audiences to the richness of contemporary Polish documentary, fiction, and animation.

Poland’s success at MIFF 2026—crowned by the Golden Conch for Silver and strengthened by a strong presence across multiple festival sections—underscored the international recognition of Polish filmmaking.