Lights, CAMERIMAGE, action!
Posted on Nov 14, 2025 by Admin
We take a look at what’s in store for Toruń’s famed festival of cinematography
Poland’s grand celebration of cinema, EnergaCAMERIMAGE, is back with a rich line-up of films, speakers, seminars and stands showcasing the latest production technologies. Once again the festival will take place in Toruń – one of the oldest cities in Poland and a jewel in its own right thanks to its proliferation of stunning Gothic architecture – but all eyes will be on the films (and the people who made) them from 15-22 November.
This year’s main competition includes some of 2025’s biggest hitters to date, such as F1: The Movie, Sinners and A Complete Unknown, as well as hotly tipped upcoming releases like Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere and Hamnet. There are also powerful documentaries from around the globe, like Iron Winter, which follows a pair of friends attempting to keep 2000 horses alive during a harsh Mongolian winter, or Messengers, a poetic exploration of subterranean telescopes in Canada, Japan and Antarctica. Elsewhere on the programme, there are celebrations of debut directors and cinematographers, plus a Liz Garbus retrospective featuring What Happened, Miss Simone? and Becoming Cousteau.
The event has been such a stalwart of the filmmaking calendar that it’s hard to imagine a time before it existed, but when it first launched in the nineties, it was quite radical in its vision. While most festivals honoured directors and actors, CAMERIMAGE wanted to celebrate the often unsung heroes, focusing a lens on the cinematographers and their craft.
It’s grown in the three decades since – into one of the world’s most respected film festivals, in fact – but it’s stayed true to its roots, serving as an homage to storytellers and fostering dialogue between veterans and emerging talent. It’s also evolved into a kind of hub for education, collaborating with institutions like the American Society of Cinematographers and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“Supporting emerging filmmakers is at the heart of our mission,” sums up festival director Marek Żydowicz. “We understand that the future of cinematography relies on the passion and curiosity of the next generation. That’s why we offer multiple platforms specifically for young talents – from the Student Etudes Competition and Cinematographers’ Debut Competition to hands-on educational initiatives like our workshops, mentorship programmes and Talent Demo.
“CAMERIMAGE is a place where a student can screen their short film in front of the world’s best cinematographers,” he continues, “and sometimes even find their next mentor or collaborator. Many established filmmakers who now return to us as guests first came to Toruń as young students with their debut projects.”
No matter what stage of your career you’re at, there’ll be something to learn at the CKK Jordanki, which houses a mini expo of film equipment from brands including Aputure, Cooke, Blackmagic Design and Godox. You can also catch seminars with leading DOPs like James Friend, ASC, BSC, who’ll be in town to discuss his stunning work and use of Aputure fixtures on Ballad of a Small Player. Other brand events include a breakfast with the RED Digital Cinema and Atlas Lens Co teams, a Cooke open house and seminars with FilmLight on developing the look for documentary film and use of algorithms in grading.
“Our seminars and industry panels focus on the current trends, from virtual production and AI-driven workflows to sustainability in film production,” says Żydowicz. “We host presentations from leading companies and visionary DOPs who test and challenge the limits of emerging technologies. But what’s essential for us is the artistic dimension – how technology serves the story, the mood and the emotion.”
FilmLight also hosts its Colour Awards at the festival, while additional highlights this year will include the Bill Viola exhibition, Visions of Time, a landmark event showcasing the work of one of the world’s most influential video artists. Showing at the Centre of Contemporary Art and the exhibition space of the Tumult Foundation building, it features 32 installations by the artist, in honour of his passing last year. Another visionary being celebrated is David Lynch, with the festival revisiting his contribution to the language of visual storytelling.
“And while the stars and premieres are always captivating, what excites me most is the atmosphere,” concludes Żydowicz. “The energy of thousands of professionals, students and artists sharing their love of the image, learning from one another and discovering fresh new perspectives.”
This article appears in the November/December 2025 issue of Definition
