Oscar-winning Polish film music composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek is in Poland publicising a major new festival to be launched this summer in Poznań, where he studied, began his career and lived for many years.
“After 21 years in Hollywood, I feel a very strong need to be here, to work with young artists and contribute as much as I can to my field, which is film music,” Jan A.P. Kaczmarek told thenews.pl's Michal Kubicki.
Unveiling his plans at a press conference in Warsaw, Tuesday, the composer said he wants the Transatlantyk International Film and Music Festival to be an artistic platform which will build strong bonds between society, art and the environment.
The programme of the event, scheduled for 5-13 August, will include the screening of over 280 movies arranged in thematic cycles (held in ten cinemas and open-air venues), concerts and a competition for composers of film music.
The competition jury will bring together such household names as Peter Golub, the director of the Sundance Film Music Program, and Paul Broucek, music director of Warner Bros. Pictures.
The winner of the Transatlantyk Young Composer Award will receive 20,000 US dollars and, together with other prize-winners, will have the chance to develop his talent under the guidance of leading composers of film music, sound engineers and special effects specialists at the Rozbitek (Cast-Away) Institute, which was founded by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek near Poznan.
Kaczmarek said he would like Poland to continue to produce great musical talents and hopes the new festival will make a contribution.
In 2005, Jan A.P. Kaczmarek received the Academy Award for Best Original Score for Finding
Neverland, directed by Marc Foster.
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