As part of the 20th Anniversary edition of the New York Polish Film Festival, we are proud to present a signature event that brings together cinematic legacy, scholarship, and timely cultural reflection:
🎤 Panel: Films by Andrzej Wajda
đź—“ Tuesday, May 27, 2025
đź“Ť Scandinavia House, New York City
🕖 following the screening of “CANAL” directed by Andrzej Wajda
This conversation honors the life and legacy of Andrzej Wajda, one of Poland’s—and the world’s—most visionary filmmakers. Held in recognition of the 25th anniversary of Wajda receiving an Honorary Oscar®, the panel will explore the continued relevance of his work in a rapidly changing world.
We are honored to welcome two esteemed film scholars whose insight and passion will guide this discussion:
Prof. Annette Insdorf
Columbia University
Prof. Annette Insdorf is an internationally renowned film scholar, author, and moderator known for her insightful interviews with some of the world’s greatest filmmakers. At Columbia University, she teaches film history and has mentored generations of cinephiles and creators.
She is the author of acclaimed books including Indelible Shadows: Film and the Holocaust, Double Lives, Second Chances: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieślowski, and Intimations: The Cinema of Wojciech Has. A longtime moderator of conversations at the 92nd Street Y, she brings decades of thoughtful engagement with Polish and European cinema to the NYPFF stage.
Dr. Rafał Syska
Jagiellonian University / National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute (NInA)
Dr. Rafał Syska is a leading Polish film historian, author, and curator. He serves as Director of Poland’s National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute (NInA) and is a professor at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, where he specializes in Polish postwar cinema and media studies.
A prolific writer and cultural organizer, Dr. Syska has been a key figure in preserving and reinterpreting the legacy of Polish cinema, including the works of Andrzej Wajda. His deep historical insight and cultural perspective make him a vital voice in this timely conversation.
Why This Panel Matters
Wajda’s films, from Kanał to Man of Iron, are not just masterworks of art—they are acts of remembrance, resistance, and identity. They ask urgent questions about war, memory, justice, and humanity.
In a time when freedom of expression and historical truth remain at stake, this discussion reaffirms why Wajda’s cinema still matters—and why now is the right moment to revisit it with new eyes.
Join us for this deeply engaging, one-night-only event at the 2025 NYPFF.
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