Press release: October 21, 2014

Polish documentary film "Joanna" directed by Aneta Kopacz has made it to the short list of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Documentary Short Subject.

Watch the trailer here.

20th of October, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the short list of 8 titles out of 58 eligible entries for Documentary Short Subjecton.  Among the titles was Polish documentary  "Joanna" by Aneta Kopacz produced by Wajda Studio, Warsaw based production company founded by an Oscar Lifetime Achievement Award laureate Andrzej Wajda and Wojciech Marczewski. 

So far, "Joanna" has been screened at more than 30 festivals all over the world and won over 20 awards, including the Best Documentary Short award in Palm Springs, Silver Eye Award in Jihlava, Prize of the Youth Jury in Leipzig, Special Mention at DocsBarcelona, and many others.  Lately "Joanna" also made it to the short list of Cinema Eye Honors.

"The unique thing about 'Joanna' is the subtle vision of the director. There is no narration to tell the viewer how to feel or what to experience. And this approach, which punctuates the things not said becomes a very powerful experience for the viewer." wrote Kay Shackleton at examiner.com

With great visual poetry, 'Joanna' portrays the simple and meaningful moments in the life of her family. Diagnosed with untreatable illness, Joanna promises her son that she will do her best to live for as long as possible. It is a story of close relationships, tenderness, love and thoughtfulness.

The film was shot by one of the most talented young cinematographers Łukasz Żal, and the music was composed by Oscar(R)-winning Jan A.P. Kaczmarek. 

The film was produced by Wajda Studio, co-produced by the Polish National Audiovisual Institute, and sponsored by Codemedia. "Joanna" was developed within the DOK PRO Documentary Programme run by Wajda School, under the supervision of distinguished Polish documentary filmmakers: Marcel Łoziński, Jacek Bławut and Vita Żelakeviciute.