Polska Warrior
At the Dutch Film Festival in 2014, the idea for a culturally diverse, animated drama film for youth emerged: Polska Warrior. Producer André Bos, director Camiel Schouwenaar, illustrator Jan van Lierde and I pitched our idea, after which we worked on its development for three long years.
At the same Dutch Film Festival, but three years later, Polska Warrior won a Golden Calf for best short film.
“A story with a heart,” said the jury report. And that was it, also for me. Because I wrote the story and still carry the adventure of writing it in my heart.
Polska Warrior is about Eryk, a Polish boy who lives in a small apartment with his father and his colleagues. Eryk is an absolute hero in the popular computer game Goldhunter. But in real life everyone walks all over him - his father leading the way. His gaming buddy Laura teaches him to use his computer game skills in real life. That works. In fact, he saves his father from drowning with it.
In association with:
- Christa de Graaf
- Regie: Camiel Schouwenaar
- Producer: André Bos / Armadillo Film
- Animation: Happy Ship & Big Pixel
- Illustrations: Jan van Lierden
- Sandra Beerends / NTR
- Mediafonds
A selection of the jury reports:
International UNESCO Special Prize - Festival Prix Jeunesse 2018
"In the light of the recent refugee movements, it is too often forgotten that there is also migration within Europe - often accompanied by daily discrimination and exclusion. The protagonist in Polska Warrior, Eryk Kaminski, is the son of a Polish migrant worker in the Netherlands. He does not have any friends and cannot meet the expectations of his father. Yet in the virtual world, he is able to overcome is lack of self-confidence by becoming "Polska Warrior" - the best player in a computer game. Polska Warrior offers a new perspective on a very current issue; gaming. It illustrates in a very charming and highly qualitative manner its potential to provide children with the new playground to develop their personality while at the same time not remaining in this artificial sphere. Thus, in the end, Eryk gathers all of his and Polska warrior's courage to solve a problem in the real world. Both characters become one. The animated film enchants with lovely characters that break out of conventional hero and gender patterns. It Touches upon a range of conflicts and challenges which children face every day and is pictured in such a humorous way that is appeals to children and their parents equally."
Nederlands Film Festival
“This animated film is really a joy to watch. The design is beautiful, with a great eye for detail, full of images that you will not soon forget. The makers know how to evoke a world of their own in a loving way. A world populated by a very diverse tableau of characters. In Polska Warrior, a Polish working-class environment is effortlessly combined with the themes of swimming lessons and the closed game world. This story becomes accessible to everyone in an inimitable way. Highly recommended for children, but certainly also for adults. A catchy film full of emotion and perspective and a convincing example of craftsmanship.”
Holland Animation Film Festival
“The winner excels in the power of storytelling. The script, the characters and their performances create a deeply charming story with a beautiful design. The beautiful ending is completely satisfying. A story with a heart.”
Awards:
- Cinekid Award Beste korte film (publieksprijs) 2018
- Cinekid Award Beste Nederlandse Animatie (juryprijs) 2018
- UNESCO Award Prix Jeunesse 2018 - München
- Gouden Kalf - Beste korte film – Nederlands Film Festival 2017
- Grand Prix Dutch animation – Holland Animation Film Festival 2017
- Short Film Professional International - FICCI Frames BAF Award 2018 – Mumbai/ India
- Nominatie Theme Award - Prix Jeunesse 2018, München
- Nominatie Amazon Audience Award - Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film 2018
- Selectie 6th Delhi Shorts International Film Festival 2017
- Selectie AnimaSyros International Animation Festival + Agora
- Selectie Educatie en Go Shorty program Go Short 2018 – Nijmegen
- Selectie Kids programma - KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival 2017
- Selectie Educatie en Go Shorty programma - Go Short 2018:
Oscar® Qualifying Festival and Bafta Recognised Festival
- Selectie Dutch Shorts 2017 - Eye International
- Finalist Zilveren Krulstaart scenario korte film – Netwerk Scenarioschrijvers