Warsaw Film School was founded in 2004 by film director, screenwriter, and producer Maciej Ślesicki, together with one of Poland’s most popular actors, Bogusław Linda. Today, it is the only comprehensive film education complex in Poland, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs, a film-focused high school, a post-secondary film school, and various courses in film and video game creation. The campus also houses the iconic Elektronik Studio Cinema.

Among the lecturers are active film professionals such as Joanna Kos-Krauze, Radosław Piwowarski, Magdalena Łazarkiewicz, Alek Pietrzak, Tadeusz Łysiak, Andrzej Jaroszewicz, as well as video game creators including Konrad Tomaszkiewicz. The Rector of the school is Andrzej Ramlau. The university’s unique and constantly evolving curriculum is based on the experience and knowledge of these industry experts.

The school’s mission is broad-based education, realized through numerous initiatives—mostly free and open to the public—such as Script Fiesta, Poland’s largest screenwriting festival; the Filmoteka Szkolna Academy; Game Jam events for game creators; and meetings with prominent figures from the worlds of culture and education.

The Warsaw Film School offers a comprehensive education in directing, acting, cinematography, editing, film and television production, film studies, screenwriting, photography, sound design, and video game development. The institution also runs international English-language programs, bringing together students from around the world, as well as a Film Professions School and a Vocal and Acting Studio.

A key part of the school’s philosophy is supporting students in forming film crews across different departments. Students have access to professional equipment and facilities, resulting in the creation of around 250 short films annually. The school actively supports these works on the film festival circuit, with its student films appearing at over 200 international festivals each year and earning numerous awards.

The university has received two Academy Award® nominations: for Our Curse (2015) by Tomasz Śliwiński and The Dress (2022) by Tadeusz Łysiak. The film The Peasants by alumna DK Welchman was Poland’s Oscar® entry in 2024. The feature film kRAJ,
created by the school’s students and graduates, was released in cinemas and globally on Netflix in 2021. The next feature film produced within the school, People (Ludzie), directed by Maciej Ślesicki and Filip Hillesland, is set for cinematic release in autumn 2024.