Polish Film Institute looks beyond the funding model
Kamila Dorbach, deputy director of the Polish Film Institute (PISF), outlines the advantages Poland presents to international producers, particularly in the realm of financial incentives and coproduction opportunities.
Poland has steadily grown into an attractive destination for international film and television production, offering a combination of competitive costs, a skilled workforce and a diverse range of locations.
“Poland offers more than just competitive production costs,” says Kamila Dorbach, deputy director of the Polish Film Institute (PISF). “The country has a rich filmmaking tradition that continues to inspire creative minds around the world. With a deep-rooted passion for the arts, Polish filmmakers and crews bring a unique artistic sensibility to their projects, making Poland an excellent choice for producers looking for high-quality, meaningful and visually striking content.”
The country’s production landscape benefits from a well-established tradition of cinematic craftsmanship, with a highly skilled talent pool spanning directors, cinematographers, production designers and editors. This wealth of expertise, combined with Poland’s growing presence at international film festivals, has reinforced its reputation as a centre for artistic and creative excellence.
The country also boasts a wide range of natural and urban landscapes, making it a highly adaptable location for various types of productions. “Poland offers a stunning variety of locations — from picturesque beaches and serene lakes to dramatic mountain landscapes and vibrant urban centres — providing filmmakers with endless possibilities for shooting diverse scenes. Whether you’re looking for historical settings, modern cityscapes or breathtaking natural beauty, Poland offers an array of locations to fit every project’s needs,” adds Dorbach.
Beyond its artistic strengths, Poland has established a robust system of financial incentives designed to attract international production. According to Dorbach: “Poland offers several financial incentives for international producers. The Polish Film Institute’s operational programs provide support for minority coproductions through a dedicated scheme with three calls per year. Productions such as The Ugly Sister and Real Pain have benefited from this. At the same time, we are seeing a growing number of majority coproductions originating from Poland.” By partnering with a Polish majority producer, foreign projects gain access to national funding programs, which can significantly increase the amount of financial support available.
The Polish Film Institute fund helped produce animated series Secret Level for Amazon Prime
A key pillar of Poland’s financial incentives is the 30% cash rebate program, which remains a crucial tool for attracting international productions. “A more traditional form of support is the 30% cash rebate, which remains fully operational. However, due to high demand, adjustments to expand the program are expected in the near future — so it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on upcoming changes,” adds Dorbach.
Additionally, Poland has regional film commissions in 12 of its 16 regions, many of which offer additional funding opportunities to support production activities.
Several high-profile TV productions have already benefited from Poland’s rebate scheme, reinforcing the country’s growing appeal as a production hub. The cash rebate program in Poland is available exclusively for scripted series, not general TV shows. In recent years, several high-profile series have been produced with these incentives, including new seasons of Foundation for Apple TV+, an episode of the animated series Secret Level for Amazon Prime, and the drama The Interpreter of Silence, which premiered on Disney Plus. Other productions include the crime series Sleboda Legacy for SkyShowtime, ZDF drama Sløborn and an upcoming disaster series for Netflix.
While Poland’s financial support covers multiple formats, there are distinctions in how these incentives apply to different types of projects. “The Polish Film Institute’s operational programs provide selective forms of support, with separate programs addressing the specific needs of feature films, documentaries and animated films. The coproduction and minority coproduction program covers full-length cinema productions, including animated, documentary and fiction films,” continues Dorbach.
Funding limits vary by category, with feature films eligible for up to PLN3m (€700,000), documentaries up to PLN700,000 (€163,000),and animations up to PLN2m (approxiately €465,000). In contrast, television series are supported exclusively through the 30% cash rebate program.
The Interpreter of Silence premiered on Disney Plus
Dorbach adds: “Additionally, in 2025, Poland joined the pilot program For Series Co-Productions under the Council of Europe, further expanding opportunities for international co-productions in the TV drama sector.”
Looking ahead, Poland’s incentives are expected to evolve in response to market demand. “In the coming year, we will continue to monitor changes in the market and adjust the amounts and conditions of support to meet current demand. We are in the process of developing changes to the cash rebate program, so it’s important to stay updated on that.”
In 2024, some adjustments were introduced, including changes to the program’s availability for TV series. “Starting in 2025, the cash rebate will also apply to drama series with episodes of at least 25 minutes.”
Further refinements have been made to eligibility requirements for animated films. Dorbach explains: “The minimum runtime for animated films is now 15 minutes, and the qualifying expenditure threshold has been lowered to PLN200,000 for services and PLN300,000 for coproductions of animated films. The list of qualifying costs has been expanded, including, among others, costs related to green filming. The eligibility test has also been simplified.” While these changes provide incremental improvements, larger adjustments will take more time to implement.
Polish Film Institute helped fund Foundation for Apple TV+
Applicants seeking funding from the Polish Film Institute must meet specific criteria, particularly for selective funding schemes. “The key criteria for projects to receive funding include artistic value, production feasibility, and market potential,” says Dorbach. “Above all, the focus is on projects that contribute to inspiring and supporting the development of all genres of Polish film, with a particular emphasis on artistic films.”
Coproductions play a crucial role in these funding decisions, as they enable Polish talent to participate in international productions, further elevating the country’s creative industry.
For those applying for the cash rebate program, the requirements centre around eligibility criteria and minimum spending thresholds. “It’s also important to note that funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis,” adds Dorbach, underscoring the need for early applications to secure financial support.
Poland’s film incentives align with a broader cultural and economic strategy aimed at fostering international collaboration and expanding the country’s influence in global filmmaking. “Supporting coproductions has been an integral part of PISF’s strategy for years, as we recognise the tremendous added value they bring to Polish cinema. Coproductions are an excellent way to secure additional capital, increase production value and, most importantly, foster market development through knowledge exchange and promoting Polish creativity on the international film scene,” says Dorbach.
The benefits of these policies extend beyond the film sector, strengthening Poland’s economy and international presence, says the PISF deputy director. “Inviting foreign producers and investors not only increases market potential but also extends the reach of stories, which is key to the growth of Polish cinematography and its presence on international markets. Supporting foreign investments and cooperation with international partners enhances the visibility of Polish filmmakers and their projects.”
The impact of these incentive programs has been quantified in a 2024 KPMG report commissioned by PISF, she adds. “The study focused on 91 film productions that received support through the Cash Rebate program between 2019 and 2022. According to the analysis, the average economic contribution of a single production receiving support is approximately PLN26m, including PLN5m in wages and around 200 jobs created. The report also noted that over 21,000 entities were involved in the production of incentive-supported projects, demonstrating a significant activation of various sectors within the Polish economy.”
For producers looking to tap into these opportunities, keeping track of submission deadlines is crucial, says Dorbach. “For 2025, we have three submission windows for our selective programs, including the Minority Coproduction Scheme. We are currently evaluating the first round of submissions, which took place from January 27 to February 7, 2025.”
The next calls for applications are scheduled for May 5–16, 2025 and September 15–26, 2025. The evaluation of submissions and funding decisions take up to 90 days. For the 30% Cash Rebate program, it operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend applying as early as possible, ideally starting on January.
As Poland continues to refine and expand its film incentive programs, it is poised to strengthen its position as a competitive and dynamic destination for international production.
