Wednesday at the festival. Star of the day – Jesse Eisenberg
36 films at the New Horizons Cinema, 26 available through the online festival, literary meetings (including the launch of the Reading America series at the Wrocław Literature House), the opening of Marcin Giżycki and his America exhibition, stand-up comedy, the first filmmaker Q&As, and, most importantly, a visit from our special guest, Jesse Eisenberg. The acclaimed writer-director-actor will receive the Indie Star Award and discuss his work on A Real Pain.
It may be only day two, but Wednesday’s lineup could easily fill an entire week!
Meetings and Q&As
Let the momentous occasion ring out: Jesse Eisenberg, in person, today at New Horizons Cinema. The director, writer and actor of A Real Pain (screening at 5:30 pm) will join the ranks of Indie Star Award recipients, alongside past honorees like Rosanna Arquette, Adele Romanski, John Waters, and Todd Solondz. After the screening, Eisenberg will take part in a conversation hosted by Marta Bałaga (note: this discussion will be held in English). But, but: don’t let the excitement over the award make you miss another great talk. At 4:00 pm, we invite you to a screening of The Unfinished Life of Phoebe Hicks and Arrow Board Game, followed by a meeting with Agnieszka Taborska, writer, art historian, and author of the book on Phoebe Hicks, which inspired the works directed by Marcin Giżycki and Grzegorz Pleszyński.
The opening of the exhibition Marcin Giżycki and his America
Speaking of Marcin Giżycki, we’re pleased to invite you to the opening of the exhibition Marcin Giżycki and his America. It will begin right after the film screening and meeting with Agnieszka Taborska on the second floor of the New Horizons Cinema (free admission). Giżycki – an acclaimed film historian, critic, and director – understood, like Wim Wenders, that America is a “Land made of images” (The American Dream). So, he traded his pen for a camera, capturing motifs typical of America’s iconosphere with a Polaroid. This instant medium satisfied his eagerness to collect quintessential American visuals. Later, the artist experimented with the emulsion manipulation technique, softening the contours and adding a painterly, abstract quality to his photos. The results of his artistic explorations will be on display at KNH through November 11.
Stand-up: Group Therapy post-screening Group Joke Session
Six well-known comedians and stand-ups – including Tig Notaro, Nicole Byer, and Gary Gulman – gather for a group therapy session in which they talk about their fears, deepest sorrows, insecurities, and life’s struggles, guided by none other than Neil Patrick Harris. You’ll see this unusual event in Neil Berkeley’s excellent documentary, and we’re adding to the experience with a dose of AFF stand-up comedy therapy of our own. Wroclaw comedians Dolly and MP invite you to join them for a Group Joke Session. It isn’t yet clear who needs this comedy encounter more, the stand-ups or the audience, but what is certain is that we’re in for a good time. The plan is: first, the screening at 9:15 pm, followed by live stand-up. Admission to the film is by ticket or pass/accreditation (reserve your seat in our system), and admission to the stand-up is free, depending on seat availability after the screening.
Reading America: Ewa Winnicka | Miasteczko Panna Maria. Ślązacy na Dzikim Zachodzie
At the New Horizons Cinema (and online) we watch America; at Klub Proza, we read it. Together with the Wrocław Literature House and publishers Czarne, Znak and Agora, we invite you to another installment of meetings around books that resonate perfectly with the AFF’s film program. These discussions delve into fascinating, often overlooked aspects of American culture, politics, history, and society. To kick off Reading America, join us for a meeting with acclaimed journalist and author Ewa Winnicka, who will talk about her latest book, Miasteczko Panna Maria. Ślązacy na Dzikim Zachodzie – the story of the villagers of Płużnica Wielka, who set off to conquer the Wild West in the 19th century. The meeting will be led by Waldek Mazur at Klub Proza / Wrocław Literature House, 2 Przejście Garncarskie, starting at 7:00 pm. Free admission, subject to availability (note: the meeting will be held only in Polish).
History (very) up close: the VR Experience at the 15th American Film Festival
If every story could be explored in such an insightful and interesting way, [here we insert the famous meme with the modern city of the future]. If you’re looking for “something more” in cinema, be sure to visit the VR Experience, where the award-winning JFK Memento project awaits. Through this powerful VR journey, you’ll witness up-close one of the most pivotal events in modern U.S. history: the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Festival Club: Rumbar and Texico
Looking to sample all states of good flavors? Head over to our festival club, hosted this year at Rumbar and Texico in the Pokoyhof Passage, right next to the New Horizons Cinema. There, you’ll find a variety of nice things to drink and eat, and an equally nice space to chat about cinema. Show your AFF ticket, pass, or accreditation to enjoy a 10% discount on all menu items.
Speaking of palate pleasures – check out our list of friendly establishments offering exclusive deals and discounts throughout the festival.
Follow the trail of recommended places
Secret screening: grab it sight unseen!
Here’s what we can reveal: it’s going to be an incredible film at a fantastic venue, with some equally exciting extras. Just a reminder: invitations will be available at the New Horizons Cinema festival box office from a designated staff member, easy to spot by their distinctive outfit, today and tomorrow between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.
Festival Thursday
35 screenings at the New Horizons Cinema, including Get Your Man – a screening with live music from Zuzanna Wrońska and Maja Laura – and Oh Canada followed by a DKF discussion by Immersja. Eight Q&A sessions with festival filmmakers, a post-screening talk on Megalopolis with Jan Dzierzgowski, translator of Sam Wasson’s book Francis Ford Coppola. Rewolucjonista (orig. The Path to Paradise: A Francis Ford Coppola Story), and a conversation between Piotr Tarczyński (Podkast amerykański) and Andrzej Rossa about the Will Sommer’s book Uwierz w plan. Skąd wziął się QAnon i jak namieszał w Ameryce (orig. Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America), part of the Reading America series. AFF is gaining momentum!
