Kaczmarek sets up Transatlantyk fest

PRAGUE -- Poland's new Transatlantyk fest, which unspools Friday, is setting out to claim new ground, according to founder Jan Kaczmarek, a native son of Poznan, where the multi-faceted event is set. It has quite a complex structure," said the Oscar-winning composer and 20-year vet of Hollywood, with sections on films relating to the Arab Spring, German and Scandinavian film, culinary cinema, music and ecology -- plus docus and vintage American B movies. It also adds teach-ins by the likes of producers Richard Gladstein and Michael Phillips, composer Peter Golub and 17 other Polish and international industry vets from diverse areas. Fest is built around a new film funding org, the Rozbitek Institute, which aims to provide a fresh approach for indie filmmakers in the region, who until now have been dependent on state-sponsored coin or television, explained Kaczmarek. Having raised $2 million for the fest, with sponsors in 16 countries, it's clear he's found a promising niche. Transatlantyk is embedded in tolerance of diversity," said Ryszard Grobelny of the city of Poznan, a key backer, and "constitutes a magnet attracting new artistic talents, and teaches how to achieve success even in such difficult times." Fest is hoped to drive cultural and film development in the quaint city with medieval roots, he added. Transatlantyk attempts to challenge conventional ideas in other ways too, said Kaczmarek. With more than 150 pics screening, plus concerts, workshops and hefty prizes on offer, fest aims to raise consciousness about important social problems and environmental issues, he said. Another new area Transatlantyk sails into, in keeping with Kaczmarek's background, is its competish for film scoring, with $20,000 going to young composer of the year and $10,000 for instant composition -- in which entrants will improvise a soundtrack on the spot for a short piece of film. The approach contrasts with traditional music writing in Central Europe, which is much more of a deliberative process. "I believe in the power of instinct," said Kaczmarek. "Especially when adrenaline is high, as you know it is in Hollywood." Fest closes Aug. 13. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com