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Poland’s Warsaw Film Festival is celebrating its 40th edition, placing its bets on emerging, often debuting Polish filmmakers.

“This event often acts like a springboard,” says programming director Gustaw Kolanowski. But making a feature debut in Poland is still challenging.

“For me, this road wasn’t easy. It was difficult to meet a producer who would believe in a film that’s quiet and intimate, but also impactful,” says Monika Majorek, behind “Where Do We Begin,” where three siblings and their mother rebuild their lives after the death of their father.

“I’ve made certain career choices to be able to tell this story and waited a long time for this opportunity. I was advised to look for some loud, controversial subject, but this film comes out of real emotions. Maybe there’s a lack of quiet voices [in Polish cinema]? Those that listen instead of speaking?”

Dominika Montean-Pańków, director of “The Crossroads,...

In horror “Night Silence,” Polish director Bartosz M. Kowalski follows retired Lucjan (Maciej Damięcki), moved into a nursing home by his son. The residence is hiding a secret, but the film took on another “terrifying dimension” after they wrapped the shoot.

“Maciej played a dying actor and unfortunately, this story turned out to be true,” Kowalski tells Variety. Damięcki passed away last November, before the premiere. He was posthumously awarded for his performance at the Polish Film Festival.

“It was emotional for all of us,” admits the director.

“I quickly understood he had to play the main character. It was love at first sight. On set, I worried the subject we were tackling might be difficult for him and for most of our actors, who were over 80. But Maciej always joked a lot, sang and even danced between takes. He didn’t get to see it, which is very painful for me.