Chmielewski, most popular for his comedies, is an active member of the Polish Filmmakers Association (www.sfp.org.pl) and was its vice president from 1983-1987. A member of the Cinematography Committee in 1987-1989, he is the head of the "OKO" Film Studio (www.sfoko.com.pl). He wrote and directed some of the most recognizable Polish comedies such us How I Unleashed WWII (1969) and I Hate Mondays (1971), produced successful titles such as It's Me, the Thief (2000) and Show (2003), and wrote several scripts including the one for Jacek Bromski's Snug As A Bug (1998).

The announcement was made by the Polish Film Academy during a special press conference held in Warsaw on 2 March 2011. The special guests of the meeting were nominees in other categories including Jerzy Skolimowski, Ewa Piaskowska, Andrzej Chyra, Urszula Grabowska, Jacek Borcuch, Jan Kidawa-Błoński, Olga Frycz, Arkadiusz Jakubik and Magdalena Cielecka. The nominees recieved commemorative diplomas from Bogdan Zdrojewski, the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. The awards are under the official patronage of the Ministry and the Polish Film Institute (www.pisf.pl).