32nd Polish Film Festival in America Announces Dates and Locations
Saturday, November 7 – Sunday, November 22, 2020
The 32nd edition of The Polish Film Festival in America (PFFA), the world’s most extensive showcase of Polish film and largest annual Polish cultural event outside of Poland, will take place from Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 22, 2020. This year, festival will operate in a hybrid form, both in Chicagoland cinematic venues and virtually through online streaming.
Under the meaningful title of Contra Spem Spero (Hope Against Hope), the festival overcomes the problems and obstacles resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, proving resilience and determination to carry out its mission, and continuing a long tradition of Polish film showings every fall to its dedicated viewers. All COVID protocols will be strictly enforced as per the festivals convened recently in the film festivals circuit; face masks, capacity limitations and social distancing will be required following guidelines set by local authorities. Longer sanitation breaks will be in place in case of any multiple screenings.
This year, due to very limited seating capacity and security rules as well, the Official VIP Opening Night Gala Screening is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 7:30 P.M. in one of the largest and prominent theatres in Chicago, The Copernicus Center (5216 West Lawrence Ave. by I-90). Parking is free and viewers receive precious gifts in VIP bags, courtesy of the PFFA sponsors.
The VIP Closing Night Gala and Award Announcement will be held in the same location on Sunday, November 22nd at 3:00 P.M. For all special screenings separate personal invitations are required. Introductory programs will be shortened.
Both Opening and Closing Galas will serve as fundraising events to defray organizational costs of the Polish Film Festival in America in this particularly difficult year; donations, most appreciated, are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
In addition, regular PFFA screenings will be held in Gallery Theatre (1112 Milwaukee Ave., Chicago), the Festival’s primary location for showings of documentary films, the elegant digital space accommodates HD screenings. The theatre is known as a prestigious site of docsPace program showcasing the world’s best documentary films. The Gallery Theatre offers limited free parking. Ticket reservations are strongly recommended to be purchased in advance.
Festival Passes will be on sale starting October 5th while singular tickets to theatrical and online screenings will be available online and by phone from October 20th. A complete program will be announced about the same dates.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, call the PFFA at 773-486-9612, visit the official website www.pffamerica.org or send an e-mail to pffamerica@pffamerica.com
The 32nd Polish Film Festival in America is possible in part thanks to a generosity of The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland, Polish Film Institute, Star-Tech Glass Inc., The Copernicus Foundation, The Society for Arts, and other prestigious organizations and individuals.