Tomiak, known for his work on over a hundred productions, including nearly fifty feature films, was a prominent figure in the Polish film industry, and a member of the elite Polish Society of Cinematographers.
He was known in particular for his profound influence on the portrayal of Polish culture and history through cinema. His breakthrough film was "Far from the Window", directed by Jakub Kolski - a portrayal of a Jewish woman being sheltered by a Polish family during WWII. His final project was the film "Red Poppies" ("Czerwone maki"), directed by Krzysztof Łukaszewicz.
Tomiak was active in both film and television, in feature films, documentaries and shorts. His illustrious career included seven nominations for the Polish Film Award, also known as the "Eagle," for his cinematography in "Far From the Window" and a long list of other titles including "Silence," "Symmetry," "Palimpsest," "The Photographer," "Manhunt," and "Karbala."
He won the Eagle award twice, in 2012 for "Manhunt" and in 2015 for "Karbala." Throughout his career, Tomiak was honored multiple times for his outstanding cinematography, including a Golden Frog at the Camerimage Festival for "The Girl from the Wardrobe." He was also a two-time recipient of the Golden Lions at the Gdynia Polish Film Festival, winning in 2000 for "Far from the Window" and in 2016 for both "The Extras" and "Palimpsest."
He graduated in 1995 from the Cinematography Department of the Polish National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódź (PWSFTViT). He was 55 years old.
(rt/jh)
Source: IAR, PAP