Oscar-Qualified Short SUNFLOWER with Polish Director Mateusz Balcerek: Interview/Film Breakdown

Ladies and gentlemen, SUNFLOWER was inspired by the true story of Danuta Górecka, Mateusz Balcerek’s grandmother. This film tells a gripping and inspirational story of a family’s perseverance in the face of unspeakable violence.

In a war-torn country, young Danuta and her family play a dangerous game of hide-and-seek with soldiers. Amidst the chaos, Danuta finds comfort and hope in a sunflower that connects her back with her loved ones.

Set in 1944 Poland ravaged by war, this beautiful short captures the vulnerability of a child lost in the violence of war and the beauty that exists in the smallest things — such as a sunflower, which symbolized not just survival but acted as a thread that tied her back to her loved ones. The film has qualified for the 2025 Academy Awards.

SUNFLOWER is an incredibly beautiful short film. The cinematography has a beauty that stands out among many of the Oscar-qualified films this year. The story moves from frame to frame with grace, yet captures the tenseness and sadness of the realities of war.

To keep this film as authentic as possible, 1940s Poland songs were used, but the sound mixing and sound editing is one of the best I have heard in any short film. Nothing was missed in the creation of this film SUNFLOWER. It absolutely deserves to be Oscar-qualified and only time will tell to see if this beautiful film makes the shortlist.

Polish filmmaker Mateusz Balcerek is a Forbes 30 Under 30 lister, is known for blending deeply personal stories with universal themes. As the Founder of Sounds Better Productions, with offices in London, Warsaw, and LA, he leads the company in producing premium content across scripted series, feature films, and unscripted shows. His previous work includes the Spectrum TV documentary "Cerro Gordo" in 2020, along with professional experience at Norman Lear’s Act III Productions and Bob Shaye’s Unique Features.

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