A conversation with Anna Szczypińska, Head of Industry at Millennium Docs Against Gravity, on building empathy, reaching new audiences, and the films that changed her mind. Interview by Anne Marie Borsboom, Founder of ShareDoc

At ShareDoc, we believe documentaries matter most when they move people to act. That’s why Millennium Docs Against Gravity caught our attention. In a world ever-dominated by blockbusters, they’ve built Poland’s biggest film festival around documentary – not as activism, but as a new form of entertainment that quietly builds empathy and brings unheard voices into the room. It’s the same belief that drives ShareDoc: that audiences are ready to do more than watch.

You didn’t actually start out in film, did you?

Anna: No, my story is quite unique because I actually finished law school and Hispanic studies. From the time I was a teenager, I was always fascinated by cinema, but going to film school in Poland wasn't seen as a "secure" path back then. When you’re from a small town, your parents often discourage you and tell you that you won't find a job in the arts. So, I chose law, but I always kept the film industry in the back of my mind.

But after finishing my degree, I started working at the Andrzej Wajda Film School as a CEO manager. Later, I moved into managing a documentary course and the largest script competition in Poland. That opened doors for me at other cultural institutes, like the Gdynia Film Festival and Spanish Cinema Week.

Was there a specific film that sparked that love for documentaries?

Anna: There is a film—I think the English title is The Salt of the Earth of Wim Wenders that really made me stick to the genre. Working closely with legendary Polish documentary tutors like Marcel Łosiński, Wita Żelakiewiczuta[1] , and Maciej Czuska[2] at the Wajda School was also a major turning point for me.

Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival. How did that name come about?

Anna: It’s a bold name, right? The core idea is "Docs Against Gravity". We "go against gravity" by showing films that can change people’s minds and the world. It’s also "against gravity" because we’ve made a documentary festival the biggest film festival in Poland. Usually, mainstream fiction festivals are the most popular, but we went against that trend and got Polish audiences to go to the cinema for documentaries.

Who is coming to see these films?

Anna: It’s actually quite mixed. We study our audience every year, so we know them well. Our core audience is primarily women. They tend to be mature viewers from bigger cities, even though the festival now takes place across seven different locations.

Engaging younger audiences is a challenge for every festival. Many people worry that the "TikTok generation" doesn't have the attention span for long-form content. How are you reaching out to them?

Anna: We are actually leaning into it! We use TikTok to promote the festival and program special events specifically for younger people. Some people suggest showing only short films because of short attention spans, but I actually disagree with that approach. Luckily, most documentaries are naturally around 72 to 90 minutes, which is still very bearable.

The key isn't just the length of the film; it’s the experience. You have to offer them something more—a workshop, a discussion panel, or a lesson. That is what keeps them in the room.

What is the primary goal for the industry section this year?

Anna: I used to be on the pre-selection committee, but the industry side of the festival is growing so fast that there isn't enough time to do both anymore. And this year we want to be a bridge between the East and the West. We focus heavily on Polish, Central, and Eastern European projects because we know Western programmers, broadcasters, and agents are hungry for the strong storytelling and social commentary coming from this region. We also do special collaborations, like a Polish-Swedish co-production pitching session with the Swedish Film Institute.

Some festivals, like One World in Prague, are known for their activism. Do you see your festival in that same light?

Anna: We don't see ourselves as an "activist festival" per se; we are an audience-based festival, however, we do believe in changing minds. To us, "changing the mind" isn't just about human rights films; it’s about offering a new form of entertainment. It’s about getting people to trade popcorn and action movies for a topic they’ve never heard of, followed by a deep Q&A with the filmmaker.

It sounds like you are building a sense of empathy in the audience.

Anna : Exactly. Our educational department does an amazing job choosing films for high schoolers that teach empathy. For example, this year we have a film called Bad Boy about a neurodivergent boy who bonds with a grasshopper. It shows students that even if someone seems "strange," they can still bloom and find friends.

Is the festival still primarily for Polish locals, or are you seeing more international visitors?

Anna: It’s changing. Warsaw is becoming very multicultural, so we now have many expats attending. All our films have English subtitles, and we even hold some Q&As and discussions entirely in English now.

We’re also getting more international recognition. This year, for the first time, we will host the FIPRESCI Documentary Grand Prix. Previously, this was a joint award for fiction and documentary given in San Sebastian, but now that they’ve separated them, we are the home for the documentary award.

If you had to name a guiding theme for this year's program, what would it be?

Anna : It would be "voices that have been kept on the margins for too long". Whether it's masterclasses on personal archives or workshops on accessibility tools, we are treating inclusivity as the foundation of documentary cinema, not just an "add-on".

One final question: looking back at The Salt of the Earth of Wenders why did that film stay with you so strongly?

Anna: It was shocking and beautiful to see the dramatic changes of the earth and humanity documented over so many years. Ten years ago, we didn't have the constant stream of social media information we have now, so seeing those artistic, striking images of how beautiful and terrible the world can be was very powerful.

Catch ShareDoc in Warsaw: We will be at Millennium Docs Against Gravity from 7–11 May, Book your meeting here. Can’t make it to Warsaw? Browse the documentary crowdfunding campaigns on www.share-doc.org/en/documentaries.