The Idiot(s)

Małgorzata Szumowska

A Polish film director, screenwriter, producer, and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She has been working as a directing duo with cinematographer Michał Englert since Never Gonna Snow Again, which was selected as Poland’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards. Their latest film, Woman Of..., was selected for competition at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. Szumowska’s In the Name Of received the Teddy Award for Best Feature at the Berlin International Film Festival, as well as the Grand Prix at the Istanbul Film Festival. Her film Body was selected for the main competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, where she won the Silver Bear for Best Director. She later received the Jury Grand Prix at the Berlin International Film Festival for Mug. Her earlier films include Stranger, 33 Scenes from Life, which received the Special Jury Prize at the Locarno Film Festival and earned Szumowska the Best Director award at the Gdynia Film Festival, Elles, for which she received the Best Director award at the Eurasia International Film Festival, and the English-language feature Infinite Storm.

Selected Director’s Filmography

2011 Elles
2013 In the Name Of
2015 Body
2018 Mug
2020 Never Gonna Snow Again
2023 Woman Of…
2026 The Idiot(s)

Michał Englert

Member of the European Film Academy, graduated from the National Film School in Łódź. As a Cinematographer, made several international features, shorts, documentaries, commercials, music videos. His work was awarded for Best Cinematography at the Sundance Film Festival, Thessaloniki IFF, IFF Mexico, FPFF Gdynia, PAF Eagle, PSC Award, etc. He collaborated with acknowledged international Directors, and his work was presented and awarded at such prestigious international film festivals as Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, Toronto, Sundance, Camerimage, Locarno, and many more. His work as a Director of Photography was acknowledged by international press like Variety, Screen International, Time Out, The Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire, etc. As a Co-Writer and Co-Director, he continuously collaborates with Małgorzata Szumowska as a “Director Duo”, which has resulted in nominations and awards at such prestigious festivals as Venice, Berlinale, Toronto, Camerimage, Sundance, Telluride, Locarno, and many more.

Selected Director’s Filmography

2015 Body
2018 Mug
2019 The Other Lamb
2018 Blinded by the Lights
2020 Never Gonna Snow Agai
2023 Woman Of…
2026 The Idiot(s)