Editor

With the deadline for submissions over, The 51st Krakow Film Festival has received a record number of entries with 2700 films - documentaries, fictions and animations - submitted for consideration for the 2011 edition of the festival which runs from 23rd-29th May. Submissions for the 6th Krakow Film Market have also ended.

In a surprising turn events Poland occupies third place behind Germany and France in terms of films submitted to the festival. Nearly 300 submissions from each France and Germany were registered as opposed to 250 Polish productions (a dozen or so co-productions are not amongst this number). Over 200 films were sent by British filmmakers, whereas 160 titles were received from Spain. Entries were also received from Israel, Brasil, Australia, Canada, USA and Mexico whilst traditionally unrepresented countries such as Lesotho, The West Bank, The Gaza Strip and The United Arab Emirates also make an appearance.

Krzysztof Gierat, director of the 51st KFF said:

"We're delighted that so many films have been entered to the Krakow Film Festival as it shows just how important the festival is for feature and short documentaries and short fiction and animations. Many of the shorts submitted are the work of young and talented filmmakers whilst attracting the likes of Anthony Hopkins who stars in one submitted film,"

The documentary section consists of nearly 1000 films and Krzysztof Gierat reveals that, on occasion, some filmmakers dwelt upon the same subject:

"During a single one evening I saw documentaries where cows, goats and sheep were milked. I promise that it will not be the leading topic of the festival competition! Among the films already invited are the tale of the executioner of Adolf Eichmann, confessions of people who have undergone a sex change and a touching confrontation between a priest and his former underage lover. There are also films about reincarnation and affairs in virtual reality."

The full list films selected for the 51st Krakow Film Festival will be published on the KFF website in the last week of March.

The 51st Krakow Film Festiwal will take place 23rd - 29th of May. 250 films will be screened during the festival, with one third taking part in one of three competition sections. There will also be special retrospectives, one-off screenings (such as the immensely popular music video night) and a selection of some of the year's most interesting films screened at festivals across the world.

The festival will be accompanied by the Krakow Film Market, dedicated to the needs of all those working in the film industry. The market presents documentaries, animations and short films to the festival programmers and buyers from TV stations and distribution companies. A digitised screening room gives professionals to see more than 400 films alongside the chance to network and attend special events.