FOCUS talks to Anna E. Dziedzic of Film Commission Poland

Anna E. Dziedzic is Project Manager at Film Commission Poland, returning to FOCUS with Krakow Film Commission, Mazovia Warsaw Film Commission, Podkarpackie Film Commission and Wroclaw Film Commission.

Anna, you attended FOCUS 2016. What brings you and Film Commission Poland back to FOCUS this year?

We’ve been attending FOCUS since the very first edition, so it will be the third time in London for us. There are no other events in Europe focusing so much on locations and production services, and because finding the right places to shoot is the core of our activities, FOCUS seems an obvious choice for us.

There are no other events in Europe focusing so much on locations and production services, and because finding the right places to shoot is the core of our activities, FOCUS seems an obvious choice for us.

What was the most common question you got from producers at FOCUS last year about Poland as a filming destination?

Money, producers always ask about money. Usually, the first question we get is about financial incentives, budgets and rates. And Poland is very competitive in that field as our producers and service providers can deliver great quality at a very reasonable price, roughly 20-30% lower than in Western Europe. As for the incentives, rumour has it that the Polish government is planning to introduce 25% cash rebate in 2018. Fingers crossed!

Will you be bringing any regional film commissions with you this year to FOCUS and if so who else will be promoting their locations on the stand?

Definitely! We will be sharing the stand with four regional film commissions: Krakow Film Commission, Mazovia Warsaw Film Commission, Podkarpackie Film Commission and Wroclaw Film Commission. We have known each other for years and co-operate really well. Very often producers first deal with us, and then we direct them to our colleagues in the respective regions. It also helps a lot that there are regional film funds working along the regional commissions, so this extra money is an additional bait attracting to our superb locations.

In a sentence, how would you describe FOCUS to a producer friend thinking of attending FOCUS this year for the first time?

FOCUS is a one-stop shop for filmmaking in Europe – useful and friendly.

How do you like the FOCUS venue, exhibition layout, organisation and facilities?

I like a lot the way FOCUS is organized. The event is not too overwhelming, but big enough to meet the right people. Especially I do appreciate that the organizers really listen and pay attention to the feedback they receive. The improvements can be seen every year.  I look forward to this coming edition!  

Anna E. Dziedzic is a PR professional with 10 years of experience in the film industry. Since 2014 she holds the position of Project Manager at Film Commission Poland, the institution appointed to promote Polish locations and film industry on the international market. For 8 years she has served as spokeswoman for Krakow Film Festival, one of the most important documentary events in Europe. She also worked as an advisor to the Board in Polish Audiovisual Producers Chamber of Commerce and she headed the PR and marketing department of Alvernia Studios.