Kaczmarek sees the foundation, established in 2004, as a permanent source and driver of good new work in the region, offering a recording studio and artist residences among other resources.

Its first such venture is the newly minted Transatlantyk Poznan International Film and Music Festival (www.transatlantyk.org), held from 5-13 August featuring 10 days of screenings, concerts and workshops. Focused on music, education and the development of socially relevant film in the region, the event drew some 36,000 visitors with 171 films.

Composer Peter Golub, director of the Sundance Film Music Program (www.sundance.org/programs/film-music), said the chemistry between industry professionals and young local filmmakers and musicians at Transatlantyk is unique in the world and should result in future cooperation between the Sundance Institute and Rozbitek.

"It's really important for film composers to have a place to meet and compare how they work," said Polish composer Krzysztof Janczak, one of the winners of the festival's film music competition, which offered $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000 prizes for best scores for two short film segments. And instant composition contest, in which entrants had to improvise a score on the spot, offered $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 prizes, the result of sponsorships by the city of Poznan, Chopin vodka, Radio RMF and other backers from 16 countries.