Camerimage Film Festival in Poland Faces Backlash Over Sexism Allegations
The Camerimage Film Festival, held annually in Toruń, Poland, is renowned as a global celebration of cinematography. However, its 32nd edition, running from November 16-23, 2024, is overshadowed by allegations of sexism following remarks made by the festival's founder and director, Marek Żydowicz.
In a column published in Cinematography World, Żydowicz responded to a petition by Women in Cinematography advocating for greater representation of female cinematographers. He equated such efforts with a potential compromise in artistic standards, writing, “Can we sacrifice works and artists with outstanding artistic achievements solely to make room for mediocre film production?” His remarks have sparked an outcry from international cinematography organizations and industry figures.
The British Society of Cinematographers (BSC) led the backlash, describing Żydowicz’s comments as “profoundly misogynistic” and symptomatic of systemic prejudice. Their open letter was supported by associations such as the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), the Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC), and the Women Cinematographers Network. Oscar-winning cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt criticized the comments on social media, stating, “One cannot call for meritocracy while simultaneously defending misogyny.”
Reed Morano, an Emmy-winning cinematographer and former Camerimage jurist, also spoke out, noting, “The majority of the ‘mediocrity’ I’ve seen at Camerimage wasn’t shot by women. Such statements only reveal outdated attitudes about gender in the field.”
Żydowicz defended his remarks in a letter on the festival’s website, asserting that his comments were misinterpreted and insisting that Camerimage remains committed to respecting all contributors. Despite his statement, calls for structural changes at the festival continue to grow.
Adding to the controversy, Camerimage plans to premiere Rust, the film during whose production cinematographer Halyna Hutchins tragically lost her life. The decision to showcase the film has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a tribute to Hutchins and others questioning the appropriateness of the gesture.
Notable attendees at this year’s festival include Cate Blanchett, serving as jury president, alongside renowned cinematographers like Greig Fraser (Dune 2), Jarin Blaschke (Nosferatu), and Alice Brooks (Wicked). Director Steve McQueen will also receive a special award, further highlighting Camerimage’s central role in the awards season.
While Camerimage remains a key platform for celebrating cinematography, the ongoing controversy raises questions about its approach to diversity and inclusion, potentially setting the stage for broader discussions on representation within the field.