We invite you to the premiere and promotion of the book: "Social Worlds of Se-Ma-For Studio of Small Film Forms In Lodz" during the 32nd edition of the International Film Festival Etiuda&Anima. The authors of the promoted book: Agata Hofelmajer-Roś and Ewa Ciszewska will be special guests.
WHERE: Academy of Fine Arts - Lecture hall 1, plac Jana Matejki 13, 30-063 Krakow
WHEN: 18 October 2025 (Saturday), 12 AM
GUESTS: Agata Hofelmajer-Roś, Ewa Ciszewska
LED BY: Olga Bobrowska
FREE ADMISSION
Ciszewska Ewa, Hofelmajer-Roś Agata, Pabiś-Orzeszyna Michał, Szul Szymon, University of Lodz Publishing House, Lodz 2025
A monograph devoted to one of the most important Polish film institutions – “Se-Ma-For” Studio of Small Film Forms in Lodz. This book is an insightful analysis of social worlds of animation production between 1946 and 1999. The authors delve into the Se-Ma-For arcana and shed new light on traditional research into the history of Polish cinematography. Instead of focusing solely on the interpretation of canonical works, the book directs our attention towards extra-aesthetic aspects of film production and discovers so far unknown aspects of animation studio activities.
This publication stands out from other monographs due to its interdisciplinary character as well as its use of methodologies applied in film studies, sociology and history. The authors do not limit themselves to analyzing archives or quantitative data but also use such methods as microhistory and obtaining oral history. It allows readers to learn about the unique social and artistic dynamics at Se-Ma-For.
The book not only sheds light on one of the most important film institutions in Poland but also broadens the scope of research into the history of cinematography and art sociology. It constitutes an invaluable source of knowledge for all lovers of animation and the history of Polish cinematography.
„The book challenges various myths surrounding Se-Ma-For activities. It is mostly a story about overcoming crises, about the necessity to function in shortage economy, about a never-ending series of problems with employment, money, equipment, premises and partners. In such a story films are sidelined, and the foreground is given to hard archive data, accounts from witnesses, numbers and fact sheets. This perspective does not allow us to see many films, not to mention anecdotes, but instead lets us notice hidden production mechanisms, non-obvious relationships between employees, conflicting intentions of various interest groups, innovative solutions on the film set”.
From the review by Professor Paweł Sitkiewicz
“Original methodological combinations were used for this project, inspired not only by production research, but also art sociology, sociology of artistic creativity, reflection on network logic, research into film studios, comparative studies and, finally, prosopography. The implemented methodological combination was characterized by harmonious connections, functionality and, in the end, it proved to be cognitively prolific”.
From the review by Professor Marcin Adamczak
PhD student at the Doctoral School at the University of Silesia. Her research interests include film education in Poland and Europe, the activities of cultural institutions within the scope of film art creation and the presence of film analysis in educational activities. She did an internship in British Film Institute (2022) and has been twice awarded the scholarship of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage (2016 and 2019). She writes a blog for young viewers: kinodzieci.info.
Author of Allies of Reason: Poland and Czechoslovakia in the Project of Socialist Cinematic Internationalism 1945-1970 (Sojusznicy z rozsądku. Polska i Czechosłowacja w projekcie socjalistycznego internacjonalizmu filmowego w okresie 1945–1970 (Lodz 2025) and co-author of a monograph Social Worlds of Se-Ma-For Studio of Small Film Forms In Lodz (Społeczne światy Studia Małych Form Filmowych “Se-Ma-For” w Łodzi) (Lodz 2025). Founder of the Polish Animation Research Group. She works at the University of Lodz.
Zapisz się do newslettera wypełniając pola poniżej. Postaramy się Cię uszczęśliwić.
Subscribe to the newsletter by filling in the fields below. We will try to make you happy.
