Events
In Warsaw, during the 22nd edition of MDAG, a total of 158 Q&A sessions and 37 special events took place. In addition to numerous debates and discussions related to the themes of the films, the program included 8 music events, workshops, photography exhibitions, and 7 educational activities.
Across all festival cities, there were a total of 195 Q&A sessions and 110 special events!
Once again, psychological support was available to attendees who experienced strong emotions during screenings. A dedicated helpline was set up in partnership with our mental health partner – Wellbee.
Selected Special Events
WWF Award Ceremony and Meeting with Chief Woos
During the discussion following the premiere screening of Yintah, co-organized by WWF Poland, we explored how nature conservation is intertwined with the fight for Indigenous rights and whether modern legal systems sufficiently recognize their contribution. The special guest was Chief Woos, who accepted the award on behalf of the Wet’suwet’en Nation and spoke about the challenges Indigenous communities face in defending their sovereignty and land rights.
Eye Yoga: Conscious Seeing Workshop
The Conscious Seeing workshop, co-organized with Łódź Fotofestiwal, combined practical visual training with theoretical sessions. Participants learned about the mechanisms of the human visual system to enhance perception awareness and creative sensitivity.
The Voice of YOUNG MINDS – How Can We Support Their Potential?
In a talk co-organized with the YOUNG MINDS project after the screening of Speak., we discussed how to support young people so they feel heard and have the courage to speak out. We also talked about helping them build self-confidence and creating spaces that nurture rather than restrict. Participants included Martyna Wojciechowska, Julia Kamińska, and Łukasz Bogusławski.
Film to Table (Warsaw) | A Tasting Dinner Inspired by Film
A one-of-a-kind culinary and cinematic experience that allowed audiences to engage with cinema in a sensory way. After the screening of the Norwegian film Folktales, viewers headed to MUND restaurant at PURO Hotel for a tasting dinner inspired by the film. The flavors of Northern cuisine became the backdrop for further conversation and reflection.
Stand-up for Palestine: Noam Shuster-Eliassi
A charity stand-up performance by the protagonist of Coexistence, My Ass!, which opened this year’s festival. In this activist comedy act, humor became a tool for unpacking complex political issues and challenging dominant social narratives. Ticket sales totaling PLN 11,200 were donated to Clean Shelter, a foundation providing sanitation and shelter for displaced communities in Gaza.
“Co to będzie” Live: How Does the Far Right Recruit?
In a live recording of the Co to będzie podcast, Marta Nowak and Miłosz Wiatrowski-Bujacz examined how the far right uses the internet to attract very young people to its ideology. Together with the audience, they discussed the mechanisms of radicalization and why boys tend to fall for it more often than girls.
XR Experience Exhibition: MDAG VISION
Once again, we had the opportunity to co-create and present the MDAG VISION: Humanity in Dialogue with Technology exhibition, which took place from May 12 to 18, 2025, at the State Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw. This XR experience zone featured five exceptional works that explored the boundaries of perception, identity, and the human relationship with technology.
The exhibition was curated by Anna Szylar and Karol Piekarczyk.
The opening event on May 12 included a special meeting with the creators of the AI & Me installation, led by Daniela Nedovescu and moderated by Anna Szylar. It was an inspiring experience that delved into the impact of algorithms on human identity and the limits of technological interference in our lives.
The exhibition attracted significant public interest and became an important part of the festival program, combining artistic reflection with pressing questions about the future of human–technology relations.
Music Events
The House That Gave Birth to House
The 22nd edition of Millennium Docs Against Gravity kicked off in a unique way – simultaneously at two festival clubs: Kulturalna and Bar Studio. All thanks to the premiere of The House That Gave Birth to House, directed by Elegance Bratton, which took us straight to the roots of club music. Warsaw's top DJs – Cougar DJ, NuCasa, and the energetic duo Holiday80 – got the crowd dancing. It was a true celebration of house music and good vibes!
Stefan Wesołowski Concert
On the second day of the festival, Polish violinist, producer, and composer Stefan Wesołowski took the stage. He created the original score for Kompleta, a film by Magdalena Hueckel and Tomasz Śliwiński that premiered at MDAG. He was joined by Anna Pašić on harp and Oliwier Andruszczenko on bass clarinet, delivering a delicate and organic acoustic performance.
Live Music Screening: What Animals Do in the Shadows
At Kino Iluzjon, audiences had a rare chance to experience What Animals Do in the Shadows, directed by Eliza Petkova, with a live improvised score. Three musicians – Anil Eraslan (cello), Jung Jae-Kim (saxophone), and Shingo Masuda (percussion and kanun) – performed a live soundtrack, creating a powerful fusion of image and sound.
Women Play Ukraine
The second festival weekend opened with a strong electronic pulse. In solidarity with Ukraine, we invited three Ukrainian artists – Facheroia, Anna Borsuk, and Richie Beige. Playing for a Warsaw audience, they showcased the unique charm of Ukraine’s underground and electronic music scene in all its diversity.
Love Silent Disco
Audiences at Kino Iluzjon got to immerse themselves in an extraordinary romantic Silent Disco experience. Equipped with headphones, festivalgoers danced to a selection of love-infused tunes in an intimate and playful atmosphere – a night of music, movement, and heartbeats.
Pogodno – Babu Król – Chango Play Budyń
At Komuna Warszawa, crowds of fans gathered to pay tribute to Jacek “Budyń” Szymkiewicz – a legend of the Polish music scene who passed away in 2022. This free concert brought together outstanding acts: Pogodno, Babu Król, Chango, and special guest Krzysztof Zalewski. The result was an unforgettable night filled with energy, emotion, and a powerful musical celebration of Budyń’s life and legacy.
Activities in other festival cities
GDYNIA
Gdynia hosted 9 Q&A sessions and 18 accompanying events.
Highlights included:
“Human Nature” Talk after the screening of Ellis Park by Justin Kurzel, focusing on one of the main causes of biodiversity loss – the overexploitation of species by humans.
Debate: “War Out of Sight – China, Russia, UAE, and Wall Street Competing for Food and Water”, following the film The Grab by Gabriela Cowperthwaite.
A meeting with the directors and with Tymon Tymański and Piotr Pawlak, featured in the film The Dumbest Album in the World.
“Between War and Stand-Up”, a discussion after Coexistence, My Ass! by Amber Fares, featuring journalist and activist Karol Wilczyński.
“My Beloved and I” – a conversation with writer Renata Lis after the film Come See Me in a Good Light.
WROCŁAW
Among the many events in Wrocław:
A screening of Naples. The City of Sirens was accompanied by a lecture from Ewa Pluta, introducing the audience to queerstories of Breslau and Wrocław.
More Than a Museum sparked a discussion on the contemporary role and expectations of museum spaces.
At the festival club Czuła Jest Noc, audiences could not only continue film discussions but also enjoy DJ sets from local artists, take part in bingo nights, and learn basic dance steps inspired by The House That Gave Birth to House.
The 22nd edition of MDAG featured many filmmaker encounters, with Asif Kapadia and the screening of 2073 drawing particular attention.
POZNAŃ
Poznań hosted 8 Q&A sessions and 11 accompanying events.
Highlights included:
A discussion on Palestinian identity and culture after Yalla Parkour, enriched by insights from Polish-Palestinian activists Emil Al-Khawaldeh and Ala Qandil.
A meeting with David Borenstein (Mr. Nobody vs. Putin), offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and political risks faced by the film's protagonist.
An intimate Arabic calligraphy workshop with Walid Daouadi, providing both an introduction to the craft and its cultural background.
KATOWICE
Katowice hosted 3 Q&A sessions and 15 accompanying events.
Highlights included:
CSSR Architecture 1958–1989 – a unique film perspective on Czechoslovak architecture, followed by a lecture by architect Ryszard Nakonieczny.
TWST – Things We Said Today, a film about the Beatles’ iconic 1965 NYC performance, was enriched by commentary from music journalist Piotr Metz.
The Dark Side of Mount Everest – before the screening, photographer and filmmaker Wojciech Kukuczka discussed the alluring danger of the Himalayas.
Do Machines Dream of Death? – this experimental film examining whether AI can make a better film than Werner Herzog sparked a post-screening discussion on philosophical and technological perspectives, featuring AI experts.
ŁÓDŹ
Łódź offered a rich selection of workshops and cultural events:
Stop-motion animation workshop – a hands-on introduction to 2D animation techniques, including the creation of original films inspired by the history of Polish animation.
Debate on Haruki Murakami – a literary clash over whether the popular author deserves the Nobel Prize or remains a phenomenon without top-tier recognition.
Japanese culture workshops after Miyazaki: The Spirit of Nature, featuring suibokuga, calligraphy, origami, and manga taught by Japanese masters.
Architectural photography workshop at EC1 – practical sessions in an industrial setting, focused on capturing the light, form, and history of the revitalized power plant.
Climate workshop “Constructive Solutions” – a space for exploring hope, cooperation, and tangible responses to the ecological crisis.