This non-linear presentation reflects on the studio's extensive film production history of more than 5,500 films and over 1,200 awards from festivals worldwide.
Curators Zuzanna Woźniak and Kornel Nocoń chose to highlight only a portion of WFO’s diverse work, focusing on audiovisual materials organized into thematic sections based on the four classical elements—fire, water, air and earth.
This structure allows visitors to explore new interpretations of the studio's films through "visual essays" by contemporary artists such as Jakub Mikurda, Franciszek Berbeka, and Monika Kotecka.
The exhibition offers a fresh perspective on WFO’s vast film legacy.
The Łódź Educational Film Studio was founded on December 29, 1949, following the creation of the Educational Film Department at the Polish Film Institute in 1945.
The studio's mission was to produce educational films that could effectively communicate knowledge and social values.
Over the years, WFO has played a crucial role in Poland’s education system, with its films being widely used in schools.
Known for its nature documentaries and contributions to the arts, WFO also became a hub for experimenting with film form and content.
The studio launched the careers of some of Poland’s most prominent filmmakers, including Wojciech Jerzy Has, Krzysztof Zanussi and Andrzej Barański.
WFO was also a pioneer in Polish animation, creating iconic characters and stories that became part of the country’s pop culture.
Today, WFO continues to innovate in the digital era. Based in a former factory at 210 Kilińskiego St., the studio is expanding its capabilities in digitization and restoration of audiovisual content.
It houses a unique 35mm classic animation studio, complete with specialized equipment for stop-motion and special effects.
Plans are also underway to develop a full film studio on-site.
Some of WFO’s older productions have found new life in the digital age, achieving viral status.
Among them are films such as Złota rączka (The Handyman) and Skąd się biorą dzieci (Where Do Babies Come From), which continue to capture the public’s imagination.
In 2014, the WFO was awarded the Bronze Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture, one of Poland’s highest cultural honors. It also has a plaque in the Łódź Star Avenue, honoring its place in the city’s rich film history.
The Factory of the Unobvious exhibition, supported by funding from Poland’s Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, is open to visitors until the end of the year.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP