Play Poland Festival kicks off

Andrzej Pągowski's Empire Of The Sun poster artwork.

The Play Poland film festival kicked off last night at Edinburgh Filmhouse with Malgorzata Szumowska's award-winning In The Name Of..., which explores the quandry faced by a priest questioning his sexuality and his chastity.

The festival - which will also screen films in Glasgow, Belfast, Sunderland, Birmingham, Oxford and London - is also showcasing the work of Polish film artist legend Andrzej Pągowski, who is leading a two-day graphics workshop at Edinburgh's Meow Studios. His work - which tends to focus on the emotional heart of the film in question - includes the striking image for Empire Of The Sun. An exhibition of posters from the Polish School of Poster Art will also be on display at various venues in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Among the other films screening are Katarzyna Rosłaniec's tale of a rebellious young mum Baby Blues and Janusz Zaorski's historical story of survile Siberian Exile. There are also screenings of Second World War drama Manhunt and Maciej Kowalewski's psychological thriller Three Sisters T. There will also be a number of short film showcases, featuring work from the Katowice Film School and Lodz Film School among others.

For full details of the festival, which is funded by Creative Scotland, Polish Film Institute and Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh, runs until December 12, visit the official site.