WARSAW: It was a great year for Polish cinema, with an all-time record of 51 m total admissions, 12.8 m admissions to domestic films and 219 m EUR total gross.

WARSAW: Hatred by Wojciech Smarzowski and Last Family by Jan P. Matuszyński won the Golden Tapes awards for best domestic films screened in Polish cinemas in 2016. Paterson was chosen best foreign film distributed in Poland last year. Golden Tapes are awarded by the Polish section of FIPRESCI, a member of the Polish Filmmakers Association.

WARSAW: Five projects received 1.7 m EUR / 7.6 m PLN in the last session of the minority international coproductions fund created by the Polish Film Institute in 2016.

WARSAW: Patryk Vega’s action thriller Pitbull. Dangerous Women set a record with 2.1 m admissions during the first three weeks in cinemas, making it the most popular film in Polish cinemas in 2016. The Polish box office is very strong in 2016, with over 46 m admissions by the end of November 2016 and chances to reach 50 m admissions by the end of the year.

TALLINN: The Finish/Estonian/Swedish coproduction The Eternal Road directed by AJ Annila and based on a bestselling novel by Antti Tuuri is in postproduction. The film was showcased at the 20th Black Nights Film Festival Baltic Event Works in Progress.

TALLINN:  A three-part coproduction from Estonia and Lithuania entitled The Man Slayer. The Virgin. The Shadow directed by Sulev Keedus was presented at the 20th Black Nights Film Festival Baltic Event Works in Progress showcase.

WARSAW: Loving Vincent, a fully painted animation feature about Van Gogh, directed by Dorota Kobiela, has been sold to over 100 countries worldwide.

WARSAW: Polish private broadcaster TVN bought a major share in Gamellon, a company specialising in producing Youtube programmes on gaming. TVN wants to attract more Youtube followers to its on-air and VOD offer.

WARSAW: The Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage announced the merge of two significant Polish public film institutions. The newly created National Film Archive - Audiovisual Institute will start its activity in March 2017. 

KATOWICE: Czech Director Vita Prochazka is in development with Will-o’-the-Wisp, a Czech fantasy film. Will-o’-the-Wisp was showcased at the Look for Fund meeting hosted by the 7th International Regiofun Film Festival.