The Krzysztof Kieślowski Creative Archive is a project run by the In Situ Contemporary Art Foundation, aimed at acquiring, digitizing, preserving, and disseminating archival resources related to the work of one of Europe’s greatest directors. The archive would not have been possible without the expertise and trust extended to the Foundation by Mrs. Maria Kieślowska, who donated materials from the family archive. Based on these resources, this living archive of memory and legacy was created and continues to grow in Sokołowsko, the Foundation’s headquarters—a laboratory for encounters with cinema and the creative approach of the author of the “Three Colors” trilogy.
The Foundation’s intention is to create a unique space—both in the physical world and online—that comprehensively collects, preserves, studies, and disseminates materials related to Krzysztof Kieślowski. A place where, through workshops, residencies, and conferences, one can explore in a creative and in-depth manner the meaning and influence of Kieślowski’s voice, which remains relevant in European cinema.
The main objectives of the Krzysztof Kieślowski Creative Archive include cataloging and digitizing archival materials, as well as preserving and securing source materials. Additionally, the archive initiates research and artistic projects developed in collaboration with and using its resources, alongside exhibition and publishing activities. Future plans for the archive’s development involve partnerships with cultural and artistic institutions, museums, libraries, universities, research centers, film studios, and film schools in Poland and abroad.
The archive is not only a unique collection but also the people who contribute to it. The project was initiated by Stanisław Zawiśliński, and its curation is handled by renowned experts on Kieślowski’s work and his close friends.
So far, part of the family archive collection has been made available on www.atkk.pl. The ultimate goal is to provide access to scripts, posters, correspondence, memorabilia, drawings, reviews, and other materials.
The Krzysztof Kieślowski Creative Archive is based in Sokołowsko, where the director lived with his parents and sister from 1951 to 1957. At that time, Sokołowsko already had a cinema that influenced the future filmmaker’s life. The town, known for its long-standing tradition as a health resort specializing in pulmonary disease treatment, was where Kieślowski’s father, Roman Kieślowski, who suffered from tuberculosis, received treatment. Kieślowski later revisited these memories in his documentary film X-ray (Prześwietlenie).
Throughout the year, Kino Zdrowie, operated by the In Situ Contemporary Art Foundation, screens artistic films from both Polish and international cinema. However, the Sokołowsko Film Festival – Hommage à Kieślowski, the flagship event of the archive’s program, is what truly attracts enthusiasts of thought-provoking cinema, distinguished guests, and a devoted audience.