Krakow Festivals Office (Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe, KBF) was founded in 1997 as a municipal cultural institution – Biuro Festiwalowe Krakow 2000. In 2005 based on the City Council resolution the institution changed its name to Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe. KBF’s activity is focused on organization and promotion of local, national and international cultural events. These projects are often carried out in cooperation with various cultural and educational institutions, as well as artistic associations, both in Poland and from abroad. It organizes Misteria Paschalia and Sacrum Profanum festivals and other traditional Krakow outdoor events (e.g. ‘Wianki nad Wisłą’, ‘Sylwester na Rynku Głównym’ – New Year’s Eve Party on the Krakow Main Square). Frequently, these are the largest events in Poland and Europe, and they generate publicity for the City of Krakow. Thus, KBF’s activity contributes significantly to City’s promotion.

In 2007 KBF was involved in realization of a major event commemorating the 750th anniversary of Krakow’s existence. Other institutions that operate within KBF’s structures are Sieć Informacji Miejskiej (City Information Network, SIM), editorial office of cultural-tourist magazine ‘Karnet’, and the ‘Pavilion Wyspiański 2000’. As a municipal cultural institution Biuro receives financial support from the City of Krakow. In addition, significant part of KBF’s activity has been financed through bartering, mainly with media companies. In 2009 by virtue of President’s of Krakow decision Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe created special sections responsible for organizing and supporting film and television production; these include Krakow Film Commission and Krakow Regional Film Fund. Support for film production in Krakow can take form of direct financing provided by the Krakow Regional Film Fund (funding is awarded on a competitive basis) and and/or administrational and organizational support from the Krakow Film Commission (permissions, agreements, applications, etc.). Additionally, services provided by the Krakow Film Commission (both commercial and non-commercial) are offered to companies that locate their film shoots in the Małopolskie voivodeship. Database with hundreds of attractive shooting locations is available upon request.

Major productions:

• “Mistyfikacja” / “Cover-up” (2009), dir. Jacek Koprowicz;
• „Mała matura 1947” (2009), dir. Janusz Majewski;
• „Katyń” (2007), dir. Andrzej Wajda;
• „Rysa” / „The Scratch” (2008), dir. Jakub Rosa;
• „Żydowski Śpiewnik Wojenny” (2009), dir. Łukasz Czuj;
• “Nie kłam, kochanie” (2008), dir. Piotr Wereśniak

TV shows & festivals:

• “Wianki” (2005) in cooperation with TVP 2,
• “Wianki” (2007) in cooperation with Polsat,
• “Sylwester” / “New Year’s Eve Party on the Krakow Main Square” (2007) in cooperation with Polsat,
• “Jubileusz 750-lecia lokacji Miasta Krakowa” / “ Jubilee of 750th anniversary of Krakow” in coopearation with TVP 1,
• Festiwal Muzyki Filmowej,
• Festiwal Boska Komedia

translation: KIPA