Sebastian Smoliński - Festival MC: Introducing films and moderating Q&A sessions at APFF 2023

Sebastian Smoliński is a film critic, scholar, and lecturer. He has co-authored several books, including the Spanish-language monograph La doble vida de Krzysztof Kieślowski, a book on African American cinema, and a bilingual (Polish/English) monograph on David Lynch. In 2019, he was awarded the Kosciuszko Foundation scholarship to teach the history of Polish film at Cleveland State University in Ohio. Currently, he is preparing his Ph.D. dissertation on U.S. film criticism and the construction of national identity at the University of Warsaw. Additionally, he co-hosts the podcast Foreign Correspondents: Deeper into Hitchcock.

Paulina Pytlak - In attendance on Friday, Nov. 3

Currently in her 5th year at the Theatre Academy in Warsaw, Paulina specializes in acting and vocals. She previously graduated from the Group of State Music Schools in Warsaw, where she studied the oboe. Recently, she made her film debut in Kinga Dębska's "Feast of Fire," an adaptation of Jakub Małecki's novel. Her outstanding performance earned her an award for Professional Acting Debut at the 48th Polish Feature Film Festival. Regularly, Paulina graces the stage at Warsaw’s 6th Floor Theatre (Teatr 6. piętro) in "Sinatra 100+" In addition to acting, Paulina also sings and composes her own songs, which can be heard during her "Jackie" recital at the Collegium Nobilium Theatre by the Theatre Academy in Warsaw.

Marcin Ciastoń - In attendance on Saturday, Nov. 4

Marcin Ciastoń, a prominent figure in cinema, holds degrees in Applied Linguistics from Warsaw University and Screenwriting from Warsaw Film School. His exceptional talent earned him the Best Screenplay Award at the 2021 Polish Film Festival for "Operation Hyacinth." Marcin is also a multiple-time finalist at Script Pro, Poland's premier screenwriting contest, with works like "Gorzki fiolet (Bitter Violet)" (2016), "Powrót (The Return)" (2017), and "Detektyw Bruno (Detective Bruno)" (2019). His script for "Operation Hyacinth" won at the Mazovia Film Commission Script Wars competition. In television, Marcin collaborates with various broadcasters and production houses. He shares his expertise as a screenwriting tutor at prestigious film festivals like the Octopus Film Festival in Gdańsk and Filmforum in Warsaw. In 2022, he served as a jury member for the Filmforum International Short Film Competition. Since 2023, Marcin is recognized as a film production funding expert at the Polish Film Institute.

Dr. Piotr Przybylski - In attendance on Sunday, Nov. 5

Dr. Piotr Przybylski, Assistant Director for Polish Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Born in Kraków, Poland, he holds a Ph.D. in geophysics from Purdue University and M.S. degrees in mine surveying and geodesy from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, Poland, and the Technische Universität Bergakademie in Freiberg, Germany. Since November 2020, Dr. Przybylski has been instrumental in developing the Polish Studies program, creating courses, recruiting faculty, and attracting students. Beyond academia, he actively promotes the program both nationally and internationally within the Polish diaspora and Poland itself, seeking grants and donors to support the St. John Paul II Institute's Polish Studies program. With over two decades of collaboration across academic, governmental, and corporate sectors in Poland, the U.S., and the European Union, Dr. Przybylski's influence is far-reaching. Actively working as Geohazards Geologist at Berger Geosciences LLC and as a liaison with Polish offshore energy companies. Fluent in Polish, English, and German, with conversational skills in Russian and Spanish, he holds leadership roles as the 1st Vice President of the Polish-American Council of Texas and as an advisor to the Polish-American Chamber of Commerce in Texas. Furthermore, his extensive background in geology, geophysics, engineering, and mining makes him a versatile and accomplished professional in multiple fields.

Mishael Porembski - In attendance on Sunday, Nov. 5

Mishael Porembski, an accomplished director and compassionate visionary, excels in impactful storytelling. Her award-winning documentary, "Burning Questions," earned her the Best Documentary Southeastern Emmy Award. Rooted in her personal journey, Mishael draws inspiration from her father, a Polish Catholic concentration camp survivor, who instilled in her profound lessons of hope and strength. Making "Burning Questions" helped her father overcome his grief and ten years later, after becoming a pregnant widow with a toddler, it served as a catalyst for Mishael to move forward with hope, faith, and strength. Now she helps other widows to move forward. She has passionately coached over a thousand widows and grieving women, empowering them to unlock hope and resilience through a tailored approach integrating Scripture, Brain Health Science, clinically proven PTSD strategies, meaningful conversation, and prayer. Mishael is also an acclaimed author in grief empowerment, a Maxwell Leadership Certified Life Coach specializing in Widowhood, Grief Resilience, and Trauma Empowerment, a certified Amen Clinic Brain Health Professional, an ordained minister, and an enthusiastic adventurer. Her diverse talents and expertise bring healing and transformation to those she serves, fueled by her lived experience and her family's heritage of strength and determination.