Karolina Dzworce resigned from managing the Polish Film Institute on October 30 last year. Then she withdrew her resignation, claiming that she was forced to resign with the “unlawful threat”. One of the allegations formulated by the management of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (MKIDN) at it was “incorrect conclusion of a subsidy agreement with Aurum Film Bodzak Hickinbotham sp. Jawna”. On December 6, 2024, divorce sent a lawsuit to the labor court.
“September 22, 2025. The District Court for Warsaw-Śródmieście issued a judgment in the case of the former PISF director-Karolina Divorce-against the Polish Film Institute for restoration to work, or for compensation. The court dismissed the claim in full”-said PISF on Monday.
As it was written, “the case concerned compliance with the law and the legitimacy of dismissing the plaintiff from the position of the PISF directorwhich occurred as a consequence of her on October 30, 2024 of resignation. “
Unconfirmed claims
“In the oral motives of the decision, the court indicated that the evidentiary proceedings did not confirm the claimant's claims that the resignation was unknowingly submitted or under pressure from representatives of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The court determined that the decision to resign was taken by the plaintiff in a fully conscious and free manner. She had the opportunity to think calmly and even interrupted the meeting to consult a lawyer. The findings also show that the course of the meeting was calm and devoid of elements of pressure or pressure. In the Court's opinion, there were grounds for the plaintiff's dismissal from the position, “it was assessed.
The director of the MKIDN Information Center Anna Ruszczyńska confirmed that Karolina's divorce had been dismissed. “The court indicated in the justification that the evidentiary proceedings did not confirm that the resignation was unknowingly submitted or under the influence of pressure from the representatives of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. This is a summary of the extremely unfair and unilateral communication, which you divorced with the support of media representatives. The use of unfounded accusations of employees of the ministry and PISF just to gain media, it is exceeding, But also consciously diverting attention from violation of public finance discipline that took place, “she emphasized.
“Unlawful threat”
October 30 last year Divorce gave up the management of PISF. Then she withdrew her resignation, claiming that she had 15 minutes to make a decision, and the decision to leave was forced to “unlawful threat”. She reported that one of the allegations formulated by the management of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage at her address was “incorrect conclusion of a subsidy agreement with Aurum Film Bodzak Hickinbotham sp. Jawna”.
The then head of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Hanna Wróblewska said that “the conversation lasted an hour. Mrs. Karolina Divorce went out for 15 minutes for a telephone consultation. It is true that she asked me to complete the conversation on the next day. I did not agree because I wanted to notify the PISF advice the same day.” Noted that Nobody's divorce “did not scare the prosecutor's office; There was no threats or forcing. “
Aurum Film reaction
The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage said that the divorce ceased to perform the function and “there is no appeal against this decision.” At the beginning of November, Aurum Film published a statement in which it stated that it became a “pawn in the game between public institutions.” She also pointed out that “she had never received a signal that PISF was considering not to sign up, and granting funding is burdened with irregularities.”
In November last year PISF informed about a referral to the District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw about the possibility of committing a crime by the former director. Karolina's representative, Przemysław Bryłowski, announced legal steps. In an interview with Gazeta Wyborcza, divorce emphasized that before she signed a grant agreement, the document underwent, among others by the legal and accounting department of the Institute – no one submitted her any comments. As she argued, at the time of signing the film, the production of the film continued, therefore, not signing the document would expose PISF to damages. She also mentioned that in mid -October 2024 she asked the head of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage to dismiss Kamila Dorbach from the function of deputy director of PISF. The reason was to be a loss of trust in a colleague. Dorbach remained in the position.
Karolina divorce was replaced by Kamil Dorbach – it was recommended by a majority of votes of the competition committee. On June 24, its five -year term began.
The Polish Film Institute is a state legal person established in 2005, supervised by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. Its purpose is to perform tasks in the field of state policy in the field of cinematography, including Co -financing of films.
