The 2nd edition of the Solidarity Shorts International Film Contest is underway. Its organisers are now accepting submissions for the competition, the aim of which is to encourage young people to reflect on the condition of interpersonal and intercultural relationships in the world today.
The Solidarity Shorts Contest, organised by the Lech Wałęsa Institute and Gdynia Film School and supported by Culture.pl and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is addressed to amateur filmmakers from all over the world who want to explore the idea of solidarity. The participants have to create a short which presents how they perceive the idea of solidarity today.
The entries, which should be of 1 to 3 minutes in length, can be shot by the contestants on the equipment of their choice – ranging from mobile phones to film cameras. This year’s competition is split into three categories: feature film, documentary and animation.
The Solidarity Shorts Contest is also a great occasion to learn about the history of Poland’s Solidarity movement (Solidarność) and its numerous aspects. Recently, Shana Penn, a feminist and American author particularly interested in the topic of Solidarity, talked about her new book Solidarity’s Secret, which unveils numerous little known facts and merits of the female members of Poland’s underground movement. Read the interview in which the author explains why the women of Solidarity have yet to be appreciated here.
The event’s programme includes meetings with Lech Wałęsa, Solidarity’s legendary leader, Noble prize winner and former President of Poland, as well as visits to Gdańsk, cradle of the Solidarity movement.
Andrzej Wajda’s new film Wałęsa. Man of Hope was recently presented at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
The authors of the best three shorts chosen by the jury and one chosen by online voters will receive the following prizes: return flights, accommodation in Poland and participation in the Gdynia Film Festival taking place from September 15 until September 20.
The winning shorts from last year’s edition can be viewed at the Google Cultural Institute and the official website of Solidarity Shorts.
Submit your entries by July 31 2014 via Solidarity Shorts.
For more info visit the contest’s official website www.solidarityshorts.org as well as social media: Facebook www.facebook.com/SolidarityShorts and Twitter www.twitter.com/SolidarityShort.
source: press materials, Lech Wałęsa Institute; ed. by kd