15th Toronto Polish Film Festival

Kat blends the worlds of film production, marketing, and psychology. Transitioned to film with a decade of experience planning and executing digital media campaigns, she’s dedicated to educating and bridging the gap between emerging filmmakers and their audiences. A graduate of Toronto Film School, recent CMPA mentee, and active WIFT Toronto member & jury member, she is sharpening her skills in the business of filmmaking to bring diverse, authentic stories to life. She's one of the producers for one of 17 Telefilm Talent To Watch projects, EXP - currently in development. As an Impact Coordinator for an environmental documentary, Kat focuses on engaging the audience and transforming awareness into action. Born and raised in Poland, she is committed to leveraging the power of storytelling to bridge cultures, elevate underrepresented voices, and inspire conversations that lead to lasting change.

Adam Benish is a versatile filmmaker who has been active in the Canadian film industry since 2006, taking on roles as a Director, Producer, and Assistant Director. Some of his major credits in the industry include:"Suicide Squad" (2016), "The Witch" (2016) & The Academy Award Winning "Spotlight" (2015). In addition to his work on these major productions, Adam has a strong passion for filmmaking, which has driven him to direct and produce multiple short films. Some of his short film projects include "Holdout" (2021), "Generations Under Sail" (2021), and "War Games!" (2023). Adam's dedication and passion for filmmaking have led him to pursue his upcoming directorial feature film debut, showcasing his ambition and creativity in the world of cinema.

Rafal Sokolowski is an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami and an award-winning film and theater director. His films are screened around the world and are supported by Telefilm Canada, the National Film Board of Canada, the Canada and Ontario Arts Councils, and the Canadian Film Centre.

Filip is a director, screenwriter and producer whose work includes film, television, commercials and branded content. He is the former Head of Research for the National Geographic Channel in Canada. Filip has directed videos for brands such as BMW, Toyota, IKEA, Samsung and Jameson Irish Whiskey. His spots for Campbell’s and Tim Horton’s were among the company’s most watched and garnered massive viewer engagement. His short films The Master and Suffer screened at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2024, LBB-Online selected Filip as one of Canada’s “best and brightest rising” directors.

Monika Ekiert spent her adolescence in Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland. She decided to continue her studies at the famed Paris Sorbonne University, France where she received a diploma in Economy and International Relations MASTER 1,and MASTER 2 degree in Human Resources in International Corporations. After graduation, her adventure in the world of cinema began. Monika started to audition and was immediately cast in various projects.Building her career in French cinema, television, and advertising, she continued her artistic journey by revisiting her Polish roots. Working on many productions in her home country in various, important and well known roles was a rewarding and fruitful time. Monika starred in the long-running, highly successful Polish series Barwy Szczescia and daily tv Show called Rodzinny Interes. Monika has been the face, lead model and actress for many noteworthy international fashion campaigns, working with well-known brands such as Giorgio Armani, L'Oréal Paris, and Shu Uemura and many others.

Ursula is the Co-Founder and Producer at The Creators Bureau. With over a decade of PR and marketing experience in television, lifestyle and healthcare she has created campaigns that resonate with audiences and boost brand awareness. As Publicist for HGTV Canada and DIY Network Canada, Ursula helped increase talent profiles and created content for various platforms. She has overseen numerous national and international productions for The Creators Bureau and has sat on the jury of the industry leading New York based Brand Film Awards.

President of AMP Talent Group Inc, a multi award winning Toronto based talent agency since 2004, Anne Marie represents leading talent in Film & TV Canada. In addition, Anne Marie is the President of the Canadian Actors Symposium, a mentorship and educational event in support of actors in the Film and Television Arts.

Janina Kiersnowski is a seasoned media professional with many years of experience in the film and television industry. Formerly the Social Media Manager and Programming Associate for Ekran, she expertly blended her passion for storytelling with her keen understanding of audience engagement. Janina has carved out a unique niche as a Music Supervisor for Film and TV, where her deep knowledge of music and trends elevates the projects she works on, enhancing narratives and creating unforgettable soundscapes. Her expertise doesn’t stop there; she’s also a podcast producer, crafting compelling audio experiences that resonate with listeners. Check out her podcast "I Still Miss Him" about the artist Prince on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Outside of her professional endeavors, Janina is an avid vinyl collector and DJ. Her love for music shines through in her eclectic mixes played to audiences in Toronto, Warsaw, Miami, Barcelona and Los Angeles.