International Festival of Independent Cinema Mastercard OFF CAMERA is one of the biggest events of this kind in the Central-Eastern Europe.

Mastercard OFF CAMERA is organised annually in Krakow. It centres on the independent cinema, brave both in terms of content and formal structure, which relies on gripping, fascinating stories. The most important part of the competition is Main Competition “Making Way” in which ten first and second features from all over the world compete for the Krakow Film Award. The award amounts to one hundred thousand dollars and is granted by the international Jury. What is more, the director of the winning film receives financing from the Polish Film Institute of one million zlotys for the production of his next film on condition that some of the shots to will be taken in Poland. The award donated by Mastercard OFF CAMERA is one of the world’s biggest awards.

The Festival also organises a range of workshops, lectures, panel discussions related both to the screened films and particular sections, as well as industry meetings. Many directors whose works are presented during Mastercard OFF CAMERA come to Krakow to meet the viewers. The screenings take place in small studio cinemas referring to the tradition of film discussion clubs, about which we seem to have forgotten these days.