Małgorzata Staroń is the head of the Warsaw-based production company Staron-Film which she co-founded with her DoP husband Wojciech Staroń in 2005. She produced two of his documentaries – Argentinian Lesson and Brothers [+lire aussi :
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European Film Promotion: Which is the film you are most proud of and why?
Małgorzata Staroń: I'm proud when I think about the documentary Argentinian Lesson (2011, directed by Wojciech Staroń), that was shot during our two-year stay in South America. As a result not only the film itself was successful (winning among others Cinema Eye Honors, Krakow Film Festival, DokLeipzig) but it managed to influence the life of its main protagonist, Marcia (11), who now unveiled that thanks to this film she was able to face obstacles of growing up in an unfavourable surrounding with a completely different attitude. This film was also a great experience for me because it was unifying features of a documentary and fiction. Apart from that Argentinian Lesson taught me to combine or to separate my professional and private activities. During the production process of this film I found my way of being a producer. Moreover, Argentinian Lesson started my intense cooperation with film artists of South-American origin. I also co-produced The Prize by Paula Markovitch (Silver Bear Winner at the 2011 Berlinale), Refugiado by Diego Lerman (premiered at Cannes’ 2014 Directors’ Fortnight), and also A Sort of Family by Lerman (awarded at the 2017 San Sebastian Film Festival).

What are the challenges and merits of producing in your country?
I'm really happy to be able to produce in Poland since it gives many opportunities to cooperate with talented local and foreign directors. In Polish Film Institute, we have funds supporting national directors and a separate fund that supports minority co-productions. Apart from that we can apply to many Polish regional funds. We can get the support from Eurimages and Creative Europe. Since recently a new Tax Rebate system was introduced that makes us expect even more. According to me most challenges are linked with an extremely detailed reporting system that may stop the closing of a production for a long time. 

What are your expectations in Cannes as one of the Producers on the Move?
It would be great if co-producers or sales representatives joined my on-going projects. However above all I would be happy if I got an inspiration from other Producers on the Move 2019.    

What are your next projects?
I'm currently working on a fiction film I See by Wojciech Staroń that will be presented at Cannes as my main project. Apart from that I work on several feature-length documentaries Women in Kiosk by Daniel Stopa, I Am Bird by Aneta Ptak, Journey Back Home by Yifan Sun and a new co-production with Argentina entitled Maestro by Diego Lerman.