Directors
I found an interesting list of some of the most important Polish directors in the animation industry on wikipedia.
The most important directors of animated films in Poland include: Valerian Borowczyk , Jan Lenica , Kazimierz Urbanski , Witold Giersz , Jerzy Kucia , Piotr Dumala , Mariusz Wilczynski ,Julian Antonisz "Antoniszczak" , Daniel Szczechura , Richard waited , Marek Skrobecki , Maciej Wojtyszko , Krzysztof Kiwerski and Zbigniew Kotecki .
Studios
Se-Ma-For
Based in Łódź, Se-Ma-For is the most notable of all Animation Studios in Poland, although the companies beginnings date back to 1947, the studio redirected itself in the 90s to focus on doing feature length films. However, plans failed and the studio was liquidated in 1999. However productions continued and in 2008 their animated short 'Peter and the Wolf' received the Academy Award for best animated short film.
More here, or below
http://www.se-ma-for.com/
Peter and the Wolf has won several awards, including the Academy Award (the 'Oscar') in 2008 for best Short Film (Animated), a British Animation Award (BAA) in 2008 for Best TV Special, the Grand Prize ('The Annecy Cristal') and the Audience Award at the 2007 Annecy International Animation Festival, the Golden Rose for Performing Arts at the 2007 Rose d'Or Festival, the Pulcinella Award for Best European Programme at the 2007 Cartoons on the Bay Festival in Italy and the Special Prize at the 2007 Krok International Animated Film Festival in Ukraine. It was also nominated for a BAFTA, a Royal Television Society Programme Award and the Cartoon d'or in 2007.
Opowiadania Muminków ( The Moomins) Originally run from 1977 through to 1982, the stop-motion adaptation
of the Tove Jansson 'Moomin' books was a successful childrens TV show that was later sold and translated for distribution to other countries including the UK.
In 2008 the series was listed by The Times newspaper as 25th in a list of the top 50 Children's TV programs.
ArtDuck
ArtDuck Studios is at the heart and centrally located for European excellence in creative services and a leader in 3D animation and visual effects production services. The company was founded in 2003 in Warsaw, Poland by Wojciech Chylinski with a passion for visualizing designsin 3D. The focus of the company has been high-quality with reliable and accurate production and delivery of 3D renderings and animation for TV and film, cinema movies, architects, real estate development, advertising agencies, aviation and commercials. ArtDuck Studiosalso produces 3D special effects for TV and cinema movies, post production and photorealistic product visualization
Below are just a few of many samples of the commercial work they've done, you can check out the rest here or click the link below
http://www.artduck.com/index.html
Funline Animation Inc.
Funline Animation was established in 1996 as a joint endeavor of Helena and Krzysztof Giersz. Funline specializes in traditional 2-D animation (all mediums), 3-D animation, Web Development and Character Design. Recently the studio has taken its first foray into the world of Motion Capture. Funline Animation currently has studios in both New Jersey and Poland.
The studio has worked alongside Disney and Nickelodeon and play a large part in the development of Dora The Explorer including chracter design.
Find out more here or by clicking the image below
Others studios worth checking out:
Anima-Pol
http://www.animapol.pl/index.php
Film Factory Inc.
http://www.filmfactory.pl/
GS Animation
http://www.g-s.pl/english.php
Serafinski Studio
http://www.serafinskistudio.com/
Studio Filmów - definately worth a look
http://www.sfr.com.pl/index_eng.html
Studio Miniatur Filmowych
http://www.smf.com.pl/pl/
http://www.animapol.pl/index.php
Film Factory Inc.
http://www.filmfactory.pl/
GS Animation
http://www.g-s.pl/english.php
Serafinski Studio
http://www.serafinskistudio.com/
Studio Filmów - definately worth a look
http://www.sfr.com.pl/index_eng.html
Studio Miniatur Filmowych
http://www.smf.com.pl/pl/
Funding
The Polish Film Institue
The largest funder of film production in Poland is the Polish Film Institute (www.pisf.pl ), founded in 2005.
The PISF created a new system of financing, funded by among other sources fees from private and cable broadcasters.
Funding from PISF can come in the form of a grant, loan, or guarantee. The Institute grants six categories:
· Project Development
· Film Production
· Film Education and Promotion of Film Culture
· Promotion of Polish Film Abroad
· Development of Cinemas and Film Distribution
· Professional Training
A jury of film professionals considers each grant request. Beginning in 2009, projects are also graded by an Expert Commissions, allowing applicants to review their judgments and recommendations.
"In 2008 PISF granted 158 m PLN (€38.5 million) in the fields of Film Production, Film Education and Promotion of Film Culture and Film Distribution. In 2009 PISF's support for film production was 90 m PLN," Anna Godzisz spokesperson of PISF told FNE.
Regional film funds were established in 2007, through the initiative of PISF and its Director Agnieszka Odorowicz. Films must be located in the region either through their story line or by filming there. PISF assists with management and legal issues. With nine funds already established and more in development, in 2010 Poland will support more RFFs than Norway (4) and UK (12).
Other funding comes from private investors and TV stations, mainly pubcaster TVP (Telewizja Polska S.A., www.tvp.pl ), Canal Plus (www.canalplus.pl ) and Telekomunikacja Polska S.A(www.tp.pl ). -(source http://www.filmneweurope.com/poland/grants/)
Below is a file showing the production grants given by the PFI for the year 2011. Looking at it you can see that of the Priority 1 grants, only one is for an animated film, the rest are for live-action films and documentaries.
http://www.filmneweurope.com/images/stories/Grants/pisf%20grant%202-2011.pdf
The PISF created a new system of financing, funded by among other sources fees from private and cable broadcasters.
Funding from PISF can come in the form of a grant, loan, or guarantee. The Institute grants six categories:
· Project Development
· Film Production
· Film Education and Promotion of Film Culture
· Promotion of Polish Film Abroad
· Development of Cinemas and Film Distribution
· Professional Training
A jury of film professionals considers each grant request. Beginning in 2009, projects are also graded by an Expert Commissions, allowing applicants to review their judgments and recommendations.
"In 2008 PISF granted 158 m PLN (€38.5 million) in the fields of Film Production, Film Education and Promotion of Film Culture and Film Distribution. In 2009 PISF's support for film production was 90 m PLN," Anna Godzisz spokesperson of PISF told FNE.
Regional film funds were established in 2007, through the initiative of PISF and its Director Agnieszka Odorowicz. Films must be located in the region either through their story line or by filming there. PISF assists with management and legal issues. With nine funds already established and more in development, in 2010 Poland will support more RFFs than Norway (4) and UK (12).
Other funding comes from private investors and TV stations, mainly pubcaster TVP (Telewizja Polska S.A., www.tvp.pl ), Canal Plus (www.canalplus.pl ) and Telekomunikacja Polska S.A(www.tp.pl ). -(source http://www.filmneweurope.com/poland/grants/)
Below is a file showing the production grants given by the PFI for the year 2011. Looking at it you can see that of the Priority 1 grants, only one is for an animated film, the rest are for live-action films and documentaries.
http://www.filmneweurope.com/images/stories/Grants/pisf%20grant%202-2011.pdf