Polish Film Festival North America Hollywood
The Polish Film Festival North America – Hollywood was established by Zygmunt Rygiel, Łukasz Będkowski and Monika Ekiert with the mission of showcasing the richness of Polish cinema while fostering a deeper understanding of Poland’s heritage and culture.
The annual Polish Film Festival North America (PFFNA) is intended to become the largest exhibition of Polish cinema in the United States. PFFNA will take place this year in major cities including Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles and Miami. More than a film showcase, the festival will provide international awareness of the importance of Polish cinema on the global stage. Each November, PFFNA will present award-winning films, U.S. premieres, as well as interviews and discussions with filmmakers. These events intend to familiarize American audiences with the depth and diversity of Polish storytelling.
The Polish Film Festival North America will become a meeting ground where art, culture and business will intersect. We intend to unite film enthusiasts, motion picture professionals and anyone intrigued by Poland’s stories, traditions and creative spirit to come together in discovery and dialogue.
OPENING NIGHT
We are proud to announce that the Opening Night of the Festival will take place on November 12, 2025, in the stunning Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills — a true architectural and cultural gem.
We will open the festival with Chopin, Chopin, a remarkable Polish-French co-production directed by Michał Kwieciński that brings the legendary composer’s life and music to the screen with stunning artistry. The evening will feature a private VIP reception, offering our special guests an intimate opportunity to connect, reflect, and toast the beginning of an unforgettable festival. Following the screening, there will also be a Q&A session with the creators, giving audiences a unique chance to engage directly with the artists behind the film. It promises to be an exciting night of beauty, culture, and meaningful exchange in one of the most inspiring spaces in the city.
Closing Ceremony Night Dinner
November 18, 2025
Hollywood Museum
We are thrilled to host our Closing Ceremony Night Dinner at the legendary Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building, a place where the glamour of classic cinema meets the heart of Hollywood history.
The building itself holds special meaning — Max Factor (born Maksymilian Faktorowicz), the iconic makeup pioneer behind its legacy, was born in Poland, making this venue a truly magical setting to close our Festival.
The evening will include a festive dinner, followed by a special screening of Frantz, the powerful Oscar submission from Poland directed by the internationally renowned Agnieszka Holland.
It will be a night of heritage and cinematic celebration, honoring the vibrant bridge between Poland and Hollywood.
In addition, the Closing Ceremony will feature a formal awards presentation, red carpet arrivals, press and media presence, a silent auction, and many surprises for our guests.
PFFNA HOLLYWOOD IS A PART OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FORMED TO EDUCATE AND INFORM THE PUBLIC AND MOTION PICTURE PROFESSIONALS ABOUT POLISH FILMS AND THE POLISH FILMMAKING INDUSTR
MONIKA EKIERT
Festival Director
LUKASZ BEDKOWSKI
Vice Director
BOGUMIL ZYMANCZYK
President of The Foundation
Polish - European Cultural Association of California
KAMILA SUDNICKA
Executive Director
PATRYCJA CANATAN
Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnership
ANNA DRANIEWICZ
Director of Programming
Festival Director
Polish-born Monika Ekiert brings a rare combination of artistic talent and intellectual depth to her role as Director of the Polish Film Festival North America – Hollywood.
After receiving a Master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Sorbonne University in Paris, she shifted her focus and trained as an actor at Cours Florent, the most distinguished drama school in Paris, renowned for shaping generations of leading stage and screen performers.
Deeply connected to her cultural roots, she is passionate about sharing the richness of Polish cinema with international audiences and building lasting connections between the Polish and American film industries.
Her creative career spans Europe and the United States, where she has worked as an award-winning actress, director, and producer.
Now based in Los Angeles, Monika leads the festival with a clear mission: to elevate Polish cinema and strengthen its presence in the global film landscape through meaningful exchange and collaboration.
Executive Director
Kamila Sudnicka is an entrepreneur and manager active in companies across various industries in Poland and the United States.
She serves, among others, as the President of the Management Board of Go Kino, a cinema company, and manages Stara, a Los Angeles–based restaurant that promotes Polish cuisine and cultural heritage.
She studied Civil Engineering as well as English Philology, combining technical insight with strong linguistic and intercultural skills.
Her passions include cinema and the promotion of Polish culture. She supports film-related initiatives and cultural projects both in Poland and internationally.
Director of Marketing and Strategic Festival Partnerships for the Polish Film Festival in Hollywood
Patrycia Canatan is an accomplished professional in hospitality, travel, and cultural event management, with a richly diverse background that bridges the performing arts and luxury service industries.
Her career began in the performing arts, having trained at the Janina Jarzynówna-Sobczak Ballet School in Gdańsk and performed with the Opera Bałtycka and Teatr Muzyczny w Gdyni. She later transitioned into hospitality, earning a Master’s in Tourism and Hospitality before moving to New York, where she excelled in sales and special events within the luxury hotel sector.
Now based in Los Angeles, Patrycia has held leadership roles at several luxury hotels and private members clubs. She is the founder of Haus of Nomads Travel, a boutique consultancy offering personalized leisure itineraries and tailored travel solutions for corporate and entertainment clients. She also serves as Director of Marketing and Strategic Festival Partnerships for the Polish Film Festival in Hollywood, blending her artistic roots with hospitality expertise to support meaningful cultural initiatives. With a global perspective and refined creative vision, Patrycia brings warmth, depth, and insight to every project she leads.
Director of Programming for the Polish Film Festival North America in Hollywood
Dr. Anna Draniewicz is an experienced film programmer with a background in media communication and academia.
She holds an MA in Journalism and Media Communication from the University of Warsaw and earned her PhD from the University of Bradford in England. She later pursued independent research during a prestigious fellowship in Washington, DC.
With over two decades of experience in teaching and cultural journalism, she has also directed her own event, the Inspiring Films Festival. Her programming and organizational work spans several notable festivals, including the Bradford International Film Festival (England), Geneva Film Festival (Illinois) and Polish Film Festival in America (Chicago), among others.
Fluent in Polish, English, and French, she is now based in Los Angeles, where she serves as Director of Programming for the Polish Film Festival North America in Hollywood.
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